AzZubair bin Al Awwam (ra) – The disciple of Prophet (pbuh)
The disciple of the Prophet (Pbuh)-This title was given to him by Prophet (pbuh) himself.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
AzZubair bin Al Awwam, hailed from the Quraish tribe of BaniHashim. It was notable and noble both in family lineage and position amongst the clans and tribes that inhabited Mecca. The Prophet (pbuh) belonged to this clan. His mother was Safiyah bint Abdul Muttalib and with that, he was a cousin to the Prophet. His father had been killed in a battle among the tribes of Arabia that left nothing for many households other than mourning wives and miserable orphans.
He embraced Islam early in life, although he was too young, he was sensible enough to understand what the principles of Islam meant. He, among others, listened carefully to the Prophet (pbuh) and decided to adopt the new religion as a way of life. He became convinced that Islam was the solution to all the problems that his society was undergoing.
He was fifteen years old at that time and was the fifth person to accept Islam. He pledged to defend his faith to the last moment of his life. He knew how much Muhammad was honest. His mother had told him before that her nephew (Prophet Muhammad) was famous for his truthfulness. Az-Zubair’s uncle and mother urged him to abandon the new faith but he never hesitated to declare his steadfast clinging to his religion. His uncle used to wrap him with a mat and put him in smoke to suffocate him so as to make him go back to idolatry.
In spite of all hardships, Az-Zubair (ra) kept -steadfast to his belief. The more they added to his punishment, the more he held fast to his faith, but when with the few early Muslims met unbearable hardships in Mecca; he and many other Muslims left Mecca secretly to Abyssinia; thus he became one of the first emigrants of Islam.
Subsequently after a while in Abyssinia, he and others received news that the Muslims had finally found refuge in Medina. Therefore, they left to AlMadinah to join in building the new state of Islam. Upon arriving, he was so happy to meet the Prophet (pbuh) and his mother under the banner of Islam. His wife added to Az-Zubair’s happiness when she gave birth to a child named Abdullah. He was the first boy born to the Muslims in Medina.
AzZubair bin Al Awwam (ra) shared in the first battle waged against Islam-the battle of Badr. He also fought gallantly, at the battle of Mount Uhud. A third of the Muslim army had withdrawn from the battle scene before the battle started and hypocrites, led by Abdullah bin Ubay, played a major role in weakening the Muslim army. He and some other Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) kept steadfast and protected the Prophet. He stood in the middle of the battlefield shooting arrows at the pagan fighters until the battle was over. His uncle Hamza (ra) was killed in the battle and his body was mutilated. Similarly, he joined hands with his fellow Muslims in digging a trench around Medina so as to prevent the pagans from entering the town and prepared them to fight the advancing army.
Also because of his gallantry, when the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to get news about the enemy; He inquired who would be the man to go to their tents in the night and come back with news. Az-Zubair (ra) expressed his wish to be the man. The Prophet (pbuh) repeated his request and Az-Zubair (ra), was the man who volunteered himself for the mission. The third time the Prophet (pbuh) permitted him to perform the task and said: “Every Prophet (pbuh) has a disciple. My disciple is Az-Zubair.”
AzZubair bin Al Awwam (ra) led the left wing of the army that marched on Mecca under the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh). Ten thousand Muslims were ready to fight their last battle against the idolaters in Arabia. But the Prophet declared that if no resistance was made, all Meccans would be safe and secure. Upon entering Mecca, Az-Zubair (ra) advanced toward the Prophet (pbuh) and cleaned dust from the Prophet’s blessed face. He was also in the front lines when the Prophet (pbuh) commanded his Companions to march to the north borders of Arabia to deter the Romans again. He shared in Tabuk excursion in the hot season of summer and performed his duties to the best of his ability.
When the Prophet ~ passed away, Az-Zubair (ra) felt very sad to lose his leader and teacher. However, he continued his efforts to spread the message of Islam and implement the teachings of the leader. He fought all those who attempted to stop the light of Allah. AzZubair bin Al Awwam (ra) considered himself a soldier of Islam. He joined the Muslim army wherever it was dispatched to liberate human beings from the worship of false deities and turn them to the worship of the One Allah. He was also one of the Companions whom the Prophet (pbuh) foretold would be in Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Foremost, he was the disciple of the Prophet (pbuh).
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