Origins & Early Life

Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam ibn Khuwaylid al-Asadi (Arabic: الزُّبَيْر بْن الْعَوَّام بْن خُوَيْلِد الأَسَدِيّ, romanized: Al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām ibn Khuwaylid al-ʾAsadī; c. 594–656) was an Arab Muslim commander in the service of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his first cousin and brother-in-law, and caliphs Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) and Umar (r. 634–644).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

An early convert to Islam, Zubayr was a commander in the Battle of Badr in 624, in which the latter was instrumental in defeating the opponent forces of the Quraysh. He participated in almost all of the early Muslim battles and expeditions under Muhammad. In the Battle of the Trench, due to his military service, Muhammad bestowed the title Hawari Rasul Allah ('Disciple of the Messenger of God') upon him. After Muhammad's death, Zubayr was appointed a commander in the Ridda Wars by caliph Abu Bakr. He was involved in the defense of Medina and the Battle of Yamama.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During Umar's reign, Zubayr served in the Muslim conquests of Egypt, Levant, Persia, Sudan, and Tripolitania. After Umar's assassination, Zubayr became an important political figure of the caliphate, being the chief advisor of the Shura that elected the third caliph Uthman. During...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Uthman — Contemporary (Died in 656) (656): Third and longest-reigned Rashidun Caliph, known for standardizing the Quran.
• Albert Bandura — Shared historical date (12-04 · Born) (1925): Pioneering psychologist known for Social Cognitive Theory and self-efficacy.
• Ali Abdullah Saleh — Shared historical date (12-04 · Died) (2017): Yemeni military officer and politician who served as President of Yemen from 1990 to 2012.
• Benjamin Britten — Shared historical date (12-04 · Died) (1976): Central figure of 20th-century British music, known for opera and vocal works.
• Cardinal Richelieu — Shared historical date (12-04 · Died) (1642): Powerful French statesman who centralized royal authority and checked Habsburg power.
• Feng Youlan — Shared historical date (12-04 · Born) (1895): Pioneering Chinese philosopher and historian who revived modern study of Chinese thought.
• Francisco Franco — Shared historical date (12-04 · Born) (1892): Spanish military general and politician who ruled Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975.
• Gérard Philipe — Shared historical date (12-04 · Born) (1922): Iconic French actor celebrated for his romantic screen presence and communist views.
• Hannah Arendt — Shared historical date (12-04 · Died) (1975): Influential political theorist known for 'the banality of evil' and totalitarianism.
• John of Damascus — Shared historical date (12-04 · Died) (749): Pioneering Christian theologian, hymnographer, and apologist from the 7th and 8th centuries.
• 594 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 594
• 656 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 656
• December 4 (12-04) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 4