Az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam

Az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam was one of the very first to embrace Islam, cousin of the Prophet ﷺ through his mother Safiyya bint Abd al-Muttalib. Renowned for his courage, he received from the Prophet ﷺ a rare title: 'the hawari,' his devoted disciple. He was killed at the Battle of the Camel in year 36 of the Hijra.

Az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam was the cousin of the Prophet ﷺ: his mother, Safiyya bint Abd al-Muttalib, was the Prophet's aunt. He was among the very first to embrace Islam, very young, and remained all his life of unshakeable loyalty.

On the day of the Confederates (al-Ahzab), while the believers were besieged, the Prophet ﷺ three times asked: 'Who will bring me news of the enemy?' Each time, Az-Zubayr stepped forward: 'I will.' The Prophet ﷺ then said: 'Every prophet has a hawari — a devoted disciple — and my hawari is Az-Zubayr.'

He is remembered as a man of courage, from the earliest hours of Islam through the great trials of the community. During the discord that erupted among Muslims, he found himself at the Battle of the Camel, then withdrew from the fighting. He was killed by Amr ibn Jurmuz, at the Valley of the Beasts, in year 36 of the Hijra. We report these facts without adjudicating the disputes of that painful era.

Az-Zubayr is not named individually in the Quran: he is part of the Forerunners (9:100). His title of hawari comes from hadith (Bukhari), not the Quran. He is also one of the ten promised Paradise (Tirmidhi no. 3747). His death at the Battle of the Camel belongs to historical narrative: we report the facts without taking sides in the conflicts of that time.

The life of Az-Zubayr is that of the faithful disciple: to be 'hawari' is to be ready when the call comes, without hesitation. His end also recalls, with gravity, that even the best Companions were tested by discord — and that withdrawing from fratricidal battle can be an act of rectitude.

Les tout premiers croyants parmi ceux qui ont émigré[38] et ceux qui leur ont apporté leur soutien[39], ainsi que ceux qui ont fidèlement suivi leur voie, sont entièrement satisfaits d’Allah qui Lui-même est satisfait d’eux. Il leur a préparé des jardins traversés de rivières où ils demeureront à jamais. Voilà le bonheur suprême.

9:100