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`ABD ALLAH IBN AZ-ZUBAIR
What a Man! What a Martyr!
A blessed child in his mother's womb was he, when his mother passed over the burning desert sand
leaving Makkah for Al-Madiinah on her emigration route. While still unborn, Abd Allah was to emigrate
with the Muhaajiruun. His mother Asmaa' (May Allah be pleased with her) had hardly reached Qubaa',
when she began to suffer labor pains.
`Abd Allah, the first child to be born after the Hijrah, was carried to the Prophet's house in Al-
Madiinah. There the Prophet (PBUH) kissed him, then chewed a date and rubbed it on the newborn's
gums (a Sunnah called tahniik). Thus the Prophet's saliva was the first thing to enter `Abd Allah's belly.
Muslims gathered, carried the newborn baby and went round with him through the streets of Al
Madiinah applauding and shouting "Allahu Akbar"( Allah is the Greatest).
When the Prophet (PBUH) and the Muslims settled in Al Madiinah, the Jews there, bearing deep
spite against the Muslims, were subdued. They spread the rumor that their priests had made the Muslims
infertile by means of their witchcraft and Al- Madiinah was not going to witness the birth of Muslim
babies. When `Abd Allah came out from the unseen, he was an irrefutable proof from Allah that the
Jews' claims were mere lies and deceptive tricks.
Abd Allah did not reach the age of majority during the Prophet's lifetime. However, his intimate
contact with the Prophet (PBUH) during childhood granted him the basic materials of manliness and
taught him the principles of life, principles which would be the subject of people's admiration and talk, as
will be mentioned later.
The little child's character developed rapidly. He displayed extraordinary energy, intellect, and
firmness. His youth was full of chasity, purity, worship, and heroism beyond imagination. As days went
by his manners did not change. He was a man sure of his path, walking his way with strong will and firm
belief.
He did not exceed the age of 27, during the conquests of Africa, Spain, and Constantinople, when he
proved to be one of the great heroes. That happened, in particular, during the Battle of ifriiqiyah
(Tunisia) when 20,000 Muslim soldiers confronted an army of 120,000.
The battle was in progress and the Muslims encountered a real danger. `Abd Allah took a look at the
enemy's army and soon realized the source of their strength. It was the leader, the Berber king, who
effectively encouraged his soldiers, pushing them towards death. `Abd Allah knew that the battle's
outcome depended primarily on the death of their stubborn leader. But how was he going to reach him?
He had first to pass through a great and fiercely fighting army. However, `Abd Allah's courage and
bravery were not ever subject to question. He called his companions and said, "Protect my back, attack
with me." Like a flying arrow he forced his way towards the leader, bursting through fighting warriors.
When he reached him, he struck him dead. Immediately the leader fell down motionless. Then he turned
towards those who surrounded their king and leader, killing them all. "Allahu Akbar" was then to be
heard. The Muslims soon saw their standard lifted on the same spot where the Berber leader had
commanded his soldiers. They realized that victory had almost been achieved. They strengthened their
force and soon everything was over in favor of the Muslims. The leader of the Muslim army, Abd Allah
Ibn Abi Sarh was told about the great role `Abd Allah Ibn Az-Zubair had played. He rewarded him with
the honor of personally carrying the news of victory to Al Madiinah and to the Caliph `Uthmaan Ibn
`Affaan.