A Strong Child

Hisham bin Urwah relates from his father that when Hazrat Zubair (ra) was a child, he had a fight with an individual in Mecca – perhaps this individual treated Hazrat Zubair (ra) harshly. Hazrat Zubair (ra) was young, whereas the other individual was a grown man. Nevertheless, Hazrat Zubair (ra) broke this man’s hand during the fight and injured him severely. Subsequently, this individual was mounted on a horse and brought to Hazrat Safia (ra) in order to show the deeds of her son. Hazrat Safia (ra) asked what had happened to him? The people informed her that Hazrat Zubair (ra) had a fight with him, but did not mention who was at fault. Nevertheless, a fight took place. Upon this, Hazrat Safia (ra) recited some verses in relation to the bravery of her son and said:

كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ زَبْرًا

أَ اَقِطًا حَسِبْتَهٗ اَمْ تَمْرًا

اَمْ مُشْمَعِلًّا صَقْرًا

Meaning, “How did you perceive Zubair? Did you consider him to be similar to cheese or a date that you would be able to devour him easily and do to him as you please? Nay, you must have experienced that he was indeed like a swift attacking eagle.”

(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 74-75, Zubair bin al-Awwam (ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)