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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 newbom'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 newbom 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
IbnAz-Zubair hadplayed. He rewarded him
with the honor of personally carrying
the news of victory to Al-Madiinah and
to the Caliph 'Uthmaan Ibn 'Affaan.
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 APAziiz 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 Yaziid 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, beseiging 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 2OO of his most skiUful
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 community. That was
true. Yaziid was totally corrupt. He did
not possess one single virtue which
would forgive his crimes and evils which
have been narrated by history.
How
was it possible for Ibn Az-Zubair to
swear the oath of allegiance to him? He
strongly refused to do so while
Mu’aawiyah was alive and more so when
Yaziid became caliph. Yaziid sent
someone to threaten him. He, however,
said, "I'm not going to swear the
oath of allegiance to a drunkard."
Ibn
Az-Zubair became Commander of the
Faithful with Holy Makkah as his
capital, extending his rule over Hejaz,
Yemen, Basra, Kufa, Khurasan, and Syria
except Damascus. The inhabitants of all
these provinces swore the oath of
allegiance to him. But the Qmmiads were
not satisfied. Restless, they waged
continuous wars, most of which ended in
their defeat. Nothing changed until 'Abd
Al-Maalik Ibn Marwaan ordered one of the
most harsh, criminal, cruel, and
merciless human beings to attack ‘Abd
Allah in Makkah. This was Al-Hajaaj
Ath-Thaqafiy, who was described by
‘Umar Ibn Abd Al-ziiz: "If all
nations were to weigh together their
sins, and we came with Al Hajaaj only,
the balance would sway to our
part."
Al-Hajaaj personally led his army to
invade Makkah, Ibn Az-Zubair's capital.
He besieged it nearly six months,
preventing the provision of water and
food to force people to abandon ‘Abd
Allah. Under the severe pressure of
hunger, a large number of fighters
surrendered and 'Abd Allah found himself
almost alone. Although chances to save
his life and soul were still available,
he decided to carry out his
responsibilities to the very end. He
went on fighting with legendary courage,
although he was 70 years old at that
time.
We
will only grasp the full image of that
situation if we listen to the
conversation which took place between
‘Abd Allah and his mother, the great
and noble Asmaa' Bint Abu Bakr, a short
while before his death.
He
went to her presenting the whole
situation and what seemed to be his
destiny.
Asmaa'
told him, " My son, you know
yourself better than anyone else. If you
know that you are adhering to the truth
and calling to it, then be patient till
you die for its sake and don't let the
boys of Bani Umaiyah reach your neck.
But if life in this world has been your
main concern, then you're a wretched
son, destroying yourself and those
killed on your side."
'Abd
Allah said, " By Allah, mother,
I've never sought life in this world,
nor did I submit myself to it. I've
never ruled with injustice, treated
anyone unfairly, or betrayed
anyone."
His
mother Asmaa' said, "I hope I will
receive good consolation if you precede
me to Paradise or I precede you. May
Allah have mercy for your long prayers
at night, your fasting during hot days
and your reverent treatment of me and
your father. Allah, I've handed over my
son to Your fate; I will be pleased with
Your destiny. Reward me for sacrificing
my son as You reward thankful and
patient believers."
They embraced each other and exchanged a
farewell look. After one hour of fierce,
unparalleled battle, the martyr received
a deadly stroke. Al-Hajaaj, cruel,
cunning, and deceiving as he was,
insisted on crucifying the lifeless
body.
'Abd
Allah's mother, who was on that day 97
years old, went to see her crucified
son. Like a high towering mountain, his
mother stood in front of him when Al-Hajaaj
approached with shame and humiliation
and said, "O Mother, the Commander
of the Faithful ‘Abd Al-Maalik Ibn
Marwaan has'recommended me to treat you
well. Do you need anything?"
She
shouted," I'm not your mother. I'm
the mother of that one crucified on the
cross. I don't need you. But I'm going
to tell you a hadiith which I heard from
the Prophet (PBUH). He said, 'He will
emerge from Thaqiif, a liar and a
vicious one.' We have already seen the
liar and the vicious one. I don't think
he's anyone else but you."
'Abd
Allah Ibn ‘Umar approached to console
her and asked Allah to grant her
patience. She replied, "What
hinders me from being patient? Wasn't
the head of Yahyaa (John) Ibn Zakariyaa
granted to an Israelite harlot?"
How
great she was, daughter of As-Siddiiq!
Are there more eloquent words to be
directed at those who cut 'Abd Allah's
head off his body before crucifying him?
If ‘Abd Allah's head had been handed
over as a present to Al-Hajaaj and 'Abd
Al-Maalik, the head of a great Prophet (PBUH),
Yahyaa Ibn Zakariya had been granted to
Salome, a miserable Israelite harlot.
What a magnificent comparison! What
truthful words!
Having
suckled the milk of such an
extraordinary mother, could ‘Abd Allah
possibly have lived a different life, a
life not reaching such great levels of
success, virtue, and heroism?
May peace be upon 'Abd Allah.
May peace be upon Asmaa'.
May peace be upon them among the
eternally living martyrs.
May peace be upon them among the most
reverent and pious.
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