Martyrdom
With reference to Hazrat Zubair (ra) it is written that Hazrat Zubair (ra) was martyred when he had left the battlefield and was returning from Jang-e-Jamal. With regard to fighting against Hazrat Ali (ra) he affirmed that he was wrong and subsequently left, but his martyrdom took place on the way back from Jang-e-Jamal. When Hazrat Ali (ra) reminded him by saying, “I implore you in the name of God that have you not heard the Holy Prophet(sa) say, ‘You will fight against Ali and you would be the one who transgresses.’” Hazrat Zubair (ra) replied, “Yes, and I have only just recalled this.” He then left. This was the reason why he refrained from fighting Hazrat Ali (ra). The details of this were mentioned in relation to the accounts of Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah (ra). From these accounts, it is evident that this discord was instigated by the rebels and the hypocrites and as result of the confusion [created by the rebels] many of the companions became embroiled in this. Nonetheless, the event that transpired was not the right course of action.
Harb bin Abi Al Aswad narrates, “I met Hazrat Ali (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra). When Hazrat Zubair (ra) was on his mount and began cutting through the ranks in order to leave, his son, Abdullah, stood in front of him and asked what had happened to him. Hazrat Zubair (ra) replied, ‘Hazrat Ali (ra) has reminded me of a saying of the Holy Prophet (sa), which I have also heard from the blessed tongue of the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) had stated that I would confront Hazrat Ali (ra) in battle and I would be the oppressor. For this reason, I will not fight against Hazrat Ali (ra).’ His son said to him, ‘You have come here to bring about peace between the people and Allah the Almighty will bring about reconciliation through you.’ Hazrat Zubair (ra) said, ‘I have already made a promise [to not fight Hazrat Ali (ra) and leave].’ Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair (ra) said, ‘You can give expiation of this promise by freeing your slave, Jirjis, and remain here until Allah the Almighty brings about reconciliation between the people.’”
The narrator says Hazrat Zubair (ra) freed his slave Jirjis and remained there. However, the dispute worsened between the people and so he mounted his horse and left. Hazrat Zubair (ra) resolved to leave and on his way back to Medina he reached a place called Safwan, which is located near Basra. A person named Bakr, from the Banu Mujashia met Hazrat Zubair (ra) and said, “O Companion of the Messenger of Allah (ra), where are you heading to? You are my responsibility and I will not allow anyone to harm you.” So he accompanied Hazrat Zubair (ra) until they crossed paths with another person, Ahnaf bin Qais, to whom he said, “This is Zubair (ra) who I met in Safwan.” Ahnaf said, “Two groups of Muslims are fighting one another and are smiting one another’s heads with swords, whilst he [Hazrat Zubair (ra)] heads to his son and family?”
When Umair bin Jurmouz, Fazala bin Habis and Nufay heard this, they rushed on their mount in pursuit of Hazrat Zubair (ra) and found him with a caravan. Umair bin Jurmouz, mounted on his horse, came behind Hazrat Zubair (ra) and attacked with his spear, injuring him slightly. Hazrat Zubair (ra), who was mounted on a horse named Zhul Khimar, fought back. Ibn Jurmouz, realising he was moments from death, called out to his two friends. They attacked until ultimately Hazrat Zubair (ra) was martyred.
According to one narration when Hazrat Zubair (ra) was facing his murderer and managed to overpower him, the murderer sought refuge using the name of Allah. Hearing this Hazrat Zubair(ra) let his grip on him go. This man said this a few times but then treacherously rescinded on his oath and wounded Hazrat Zubair (ra). Hazrat Zubair (ra) said to him, “May Allah cause your ruin. You had been seeking protection by using Allah’s name yet then abandoned your oath.” After Hazrat Zubair (ra) was martyred, Ibn Jurmouz brought the head and sword of Hazrat Zubair(ra) to Hazrat Ali (ra). Hazrat Ali (ra) took the sword and said, “I swear by Allah, this was the sword that would remove the expressions of anxiety from the countenance of the Holy Prophet (sa), yet now it is amidst disorder and bloodshed.” Ibn Jurmouz requested permission to enter. The courtier informed that Ibn Jurmouz is present who is the one who killed Hazrat Zubair (ra), and is standing at the door requesting to be allowed to come in. Hazrat Ali (ra) replied, “May he enter the hellfire, who killed Ibn Safia (Hazrat Zubair (ra)). I have heard the Holy Prophet (ra) say that every Prophet is granted disciples and his disciple was Zubair (ra).”
Hazrat Zubair (ra) was buried in the valley of Siba‘a. Hazrat Ali (ra) and his companions began to cry over his demise. Hazrat Zubair (ra) was 64 years old when he was martyred. According to other narrations he was 66 or 67.
(al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihain li al-Hakim, Vol. 3, p. 413, Kitab Marifat al-Sahabah, Hadith 5575, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab fi Ma’rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 2, Mistah bin Uthathah(ra) [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Jil, 1992], 516) (al-Mustadrak Ala al-Sahihain li al-Hakim, Vol. 3, p. 412, Kitab Marifat al-Sahabah, Hadith 5571, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 78) (Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 83) (Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1995], 460)
The residents of Medina would say regarding Hazrat Atikah bint Zaid (ra), wife of Hazrat Zubair bin al-Awwam (ra), that whoever desires to attain martyrdom should marry Hazrat Atika bint Zaid (ra). She was first married to Abdullah bin Abi Bakr, who was martyred. Then she married Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (ra), who was also martyred. Then she married Hazrat Zubair bin al-Awwam (ra) who was also martyred.
On the martyrdom of Hazrat Zubair (ra), Hazrat Atika (ra) wrote the following couplets:
غَدَرَ ابْنُ جُرْمُوزٍ بِفَارِسِ بُہْمَۃٍ
یَوْمَ اللِّقَاءِ وَ کَانَ غَیْرَ مُعَرِّدِ
یَا عَمْرُو لَوْ نَبَّہْتَہٗ لَوَجَدْتَہٗ
لَا طَائِشًا رَعِشَ الْجَنَانِ وَلَاالْیَدِ
شَلَّتْ یَمِیْنُکَ إِنْ قَتَلْتَ لَمُسْلِمًا
حَلَّتْ عَلَیْکَ عُقُوْبَۃُ الْمُتَعَمِّدِ
ثَکِلَتْکَ أُمُّکَ ہَلْ ظَفِرْتَ بِمِثْلِہٖ
فِیْمَنْ مَضٰى فِیْمَا تَرُوْحُ وَ تَغْتَدِیْ
کَمْ غَمْرَۃٍ قَدْ خَاضَہَا لَمْ یَثْنِہِ
عَنْہَا طِرَادُکَ یَا ابْنَ فَقْعِ الْقَرْدَدِ
“Ibn Jurmouz, on the day of battle, deceived that brave rider, who was not one to flee. O Amr bin Jurmouz, if you had captured him you would find him not cowardly, with hands trembling.
“May you wither away as you murdered a Muslim. You are now accountable for the punishment of murder. May ruin befall you.
“Amongst all those you spend company with day and night of that era, have you ever vanquished a person with such a high status as he.
“O you who is unable to bear even trivial suffering, Zubair was a person who even in the harshest circumstances would be at the forefront of battle.
“O ye of light complexion, your spear attack could cannot diminish the honour and greatness of Hazrat Zubair (ra) in slightest.”
(Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 83)
It is narrated in al-Tabaqat al-Kubra that when Ibn Jurmouz arrived and requested permission from Hazrat Ali (ra) to enter, Hazrat Ali (ra) preferred to not see him. Upon this he [Ibn Jurmouz] said, “Was Zubair not amongst the party creating disorder?” Hazrat Ali (ra) responded, “May ruin befall you. I am certain that Talha (ra) and Zubair (ra) will be counted amongst those regarding whom Allah the Almighty says:
وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٰنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ
“And We shall remove whatever of rancour may be in their hearts so that they will become as brothers seated on thrones, facing one another.”
(Surah al-Hijr, Ch.15: V.48) (Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], 84)
Hazrat Zubair (ra) had numerous marriages at different times and had a large number of children. The details are as follows:
The following were born through Hazrat Asma bint Abi Bakr (ra): Abdullah, Urwa, Munzir, Asim, Khadijatul Kubra, Ummul Hassan and Aisha.
From Hazrat Ummul Khalid (ra) the following children were born: Khalid, Amr, Habiba, Sauda and Hind.
From Hazrat Rubab bint Unaifra the following were born: Mus‘ab, Hamza and Ramla.
From Hazrat Zainab Umm Jafar bin Mursad (ra) the following were born: Ubaidah and Jafar.
From Hazrat Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah, Zainab was born.
From Hazrat Hilal bint Qais (ra), Khadijatul Sughra was born.
(Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 74)
And one of his wives was Hazrat Atika bint Zaid (ra).
(Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990] 83)