Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (ra)
The Hawari of the Prophet ﷺ; of the Ten Promised Paradise.
An early convert, one of the ten promised Paradise, and Hawari Rasul Allah — the Prophet’s ﷺ devoted disciple — bound to him by a rich web of kinship.
Identity & lineage
- An early convert to Islam and one of the ten promised Paradise (al-Ashara al-Mubashshara).
- Titled Hawari Rasul Allah — the Prophet’s ﷺ disciple / special companion.
- His mother was Safiyyah bint Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s ﷺ paternal aunt — making Zubayr the Prophet’s ﷺ cousin.
- Nephew-by-marriage of Khadijah through his father al-Awwam’s family ties.
- Married Asma bint Abu Bakr (sister of Aisha), making him also a brother-in-law within the Prophet’s ﷺ household circle.
- Father of Urwah ibn al-Zubayr and Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr.
Role & key episodes
- At the Battle of Uhud, Zubayr wanted the Prophet’s ﷺ sword, but it was given to Abu Dujana; he then followed Abu Dujana and witnessed his valor firsthand.
- Among the main Companions who rushed back to defend the Prophet ﷺ when the lines broke.
- After the battle, his mother Safiyyah came to the battlefield to see her martyred brother Hamzah. On the Prophet’s ﷺ order, Zubayr turned her back and gave her Hamzah’s shrouds.
At Khandaq (EP 051–060)
- He was sent to scout the Banu Qurayza and confirmed their treachery in breaking the covenant during the siege of the Trench. For his service the Prophet ﷺ declared: “every prophet has a disciple (hawari), and my disciple is al-Zubayr” — the root of his title Hawari Rasul Allah.
- When Amr ibn Abd Wud‘s band breached the trench, Zubayr charged the Qurayshi Nawfal ibn Abdillah and split his body. Marvelling at his sword, people were told: “it is the arm, not the sword.”
Character & lessons
- Steadfast devotion to the Prophet ﷺ, earning the singular honor of Hawari.
Death
- Survived Uhud. Later death not covered in this source.
Cross-references
Muhammad ﷺ · Battle of Uhud · Abu Dujana · Hamzah · Khadijah · Mount Uhud · Battle of Khandaq · Amr ibn Abd Wud
Sources
- S007 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 041–050.
- S008 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 051–060 (Khandaq: confirming Banu Qurayza’s treachery; the hawari praise; killing Nawfal ibn Abdillah).