Zubayr — The Disciple (Hawari)
First to draw a sword for Islam at fifteen, veteran of every battle, the Prophet’s “disciple” — and father of the scholars through Asma and Abdullah.
Also searched as: zubayr hawari story • hazrat zubair waqia • ashra mubashara zubayr
Emblematic words
حَوَارِيَّ
Transliteration
Hawariyy.
Story
The full story
Zubayr ibn al-Awwam — the Prophet’s cousin (Safiyyah’s son) — believed at sixteen and, hearing a rumour of the Prophet’s murder, drew his sword in Makkah’s streets: the first sword drawn for Islam, lowered only at good news.
He made two hijrahs (Abyssinia, then Madinah), fought at Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and beyond — the Prophet said every prophet has a disciple, and mine is Zubayr. At the Trench he volunteered thrice for the perilous Banu Qurayzah reconnaissance.
His wealth, like Talha’s, served: lands administered for orphans, debts settled for others. His son Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr would become scholar-caliph; his wife Asma “of the two waistbands” tore her garment for the Hijrah provisions.
He too fell at the Camel (36 AH) — withdrawing when Ali reminded him of the Prophet’s prophecy, then killed in prayer by Ibn Jurmuz. Ali wept: glad tidings of Hell to his killer — honouring even a fallen opponent.
Narrated from the seerah and hadith collections without invented details.
Timeline
The life in order
- 1The sword: first blade drawn for Islam at sixteen.
- 2The disciple: “every prophet has a hawari — mine is Zubayr.”
- 3The volunteer: thrice forward for Qurayzah reconnaissance.
- 4The household: Asma’s waistbands, Abdullah’s scholarship.
- 5The Camel: withdrew on reminder, killed in prayer (36 AH).
Reflect
Lessons
- ✦Youth with a drawn sword for truth outranks age with excuses.
- ✦Volunteer thrice for the dangerous errands — hawaris do.
- ✦Honour opponents Ali wept for: principle without hatred.
References: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim (Zubayr’s virtues); Ibn Hisham’s Seerah
For his life, read the 16-chapter Seerat →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who was Zubayr?
First to draw a sword for Islam at fifteen, veteran of every battle, the Prophet’s “disciple” — and father of the scholars through Asma and Abdullah.
What are the lessons from Zubayr’s life?
1. Youth with a drawn sword for truth outranks age with excuses. 2. Volunteer thrice for the dangerous errands — hawaris do. 3. Honour opponents Ali wept for: principle without hatred.
Where is this story sourced from?
References: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim (Zubayr’s virtues); Ibn Hisham’s Seerah. Consult scholars for deeper rulings.
Sahaba