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Nevertheless, his miraculous and extraordinary heroism in fighting came second to his heroism in
the sphere of worship.
His family, his youth, his position and its eminence, his wealth, his strength, nothing of that sort
could hinder `Abd Allah from being an admirable God-fearing worshiper, fasting all day long while
praying all night.
`Umar Ibn `Abd Al-'Aziiz once asked Ibn Abi Mulaikah to describe `Abd Allah, so he said, "By
Allah, I've never see a soul similar to his. When he began his prayer, he left everything behind. He
bowed down and prostrated for such a long period that birds stood on his back considering him a wall or
a gown thrown away. Once a projectile passed between his beard and chest while praying. By Allah, he
did not feel it nor was he shaken by it. He did not stop his recitation nor hurry his bowing."
Similar to legends, the truthful information about `Abd Allah's worship was transmitted by history
His fasting, his prayer, his pilgrimage, his noble soul, his continuous fear of Allah, his close relation
to Allah, his being a devoted worshiper and a fasting fighter throughout his life were all in him like
interwoven threads.
Although there was some kind of disagreement between `Abd Allah Ibn Az-Zubair and Ibn
`Abbaas, the latter described `Abd Allah in the following words: "He was a reciter of the Qur'aan, a
follower of the Sunnah, submissive to Allah, a God-fearing faster, son of the Prophet's disciple. His
mother was As-siddiiq's daughter, his aunt `Aa'ishah the Prophet's wife; his rank can only be ignored by
the blind."
The strength of high mountains did not equal `Abd Allah's firmness and assiduity. Sincere, noble,
strong, he was always ready to sacrifice his life for his clarity and straightforwardness.
During his dispute and wars with Bani Umaiyah (the Ommiads), Al-Husain Ibn Numair, the leader of
the army sent by Yazild to suppress Ibn Az-Zubair's revolt, went to visit `Abd Allah Ibn Az-Zubair in
Makkah after the news reached there that Yaziid had died. Al-Husain offered Abd Allah to go with him
to Syria where he would use his power to force people to swear the oath of allegiance to Ibn Az-Zubair.
However, Ibn Az-Zubair refused this golden chance because he was totally convinced of the necessity to
take revenge on the Syrian army for the terrible crimes committed while marching on the Prophet's
Madiinah to satisfy the Ommiads' greed.
We may differ with `Abd Allah, wishing he would have preferred peace and forgiveness by
responding to a rare chance offered by Al-Husain, Yaziid's leader. Nevertheless, the man's position in
favor of his conviction and faith, rejecting lies and tricks, deserves respect and admiration.
Al-Hajaaj attacked with his army, besieging him and his followers. At that time, among Abd Allah's
warriors was a group of very skillful Abyssinian spearmen and warriors. `Abd Allah heard them talking
about the late Caliph `Uthmaan (May Allah be pleased with him). Their conversation lacked all forms of
justice and fairness. `Abd Allah reprimanded them severely saying, " By Allah, I don't like to defeat my
enemy with the help of someone hating `Uthmaan." He sent them away at a very critical time in which he
needed help so desperately, like a drowning man seeking hope.
His sincerity and honesty in faith and principles made him indifferent to the loss of 200 of his most
skillful spearmen, the faith of whom he could no longer trust.
All that despite the fierce decisive battle which stood in front of him, the outcome of which could
have been different if those spearmen had remained.
His resistance against Mu'aawiyah and Yaziid was an extraordinary legend of bravery. He
considered Yaziid Ibn Mu'aawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan the most unqualified person to rule the Muslim