Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr
Leader of a Meccan caliphate opposing Umayyad rule during the Second Fitna.
Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr was born in Medina in May 624, the eldest son of Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, a prominent companion of Muhammad, and Asma bint Abi Bakr, daughter of the first caliph, Abu Bakr. His paternal grandmother was an aunt of Muhammad, and his maternal aunt was Aisha, one of Muhammad’s wives. He belonged to the Banu Asad clan of the Quraysh, Mecca’s leading tribe, and was noted as the first child born to the Muhajirun, the earliest Muslim converts who had migrated from Mecca to Medina. These deep family and religious ties to Muhammad and the early Muslim community later enhanced his prestige. As a youth, he may have been present with his father at the Battle of the Yarmuk in Syria in 636 and accompanied him during the conquest of Egypt in 640. In 647, he distinguished himself in the Muslim campaign in North Africa, where he identified a weak point in the Byzantine lines and killed the Byzantine commander Gregory; upon his return to Medina, Caliph Uthman praised him, and he delivered a celebrated victory speech. He later joined an offensive in northern Iran in 650. Uthman also appointed him to the commission tasked with compiling the Qur’an. During the siege of Uthman’s house in 656, Ibn al-Zubayr was placed in charge of the caliph’s defense and was wounded. After Uthman’s assassination, he fought alongside his father and aunt Aisha against Caliph Ali at the Battle of the Camel in Basra, where his father was killed and he himself was wounded.
- field
- Caliphate leadership, military command
- nationality
- Quraysh, Hejaz (western Arabia)
- known_for
- Leading a caliphate in Mecca against the Umayyads during the Second Fitna
Lore & Background
As a youth, Ibn al-Zubayr participated in the early Muslim conquests alongside his father in Syria and Egypt, and later played a role in the Muslim conquests of North Africa and northern Iran in 647 and 650, respectively. During the 647 campaign in Ifriqiya, he discovered a vulnerable point in the battle lines of the Byzantine defenders and slew their patrician, Gregory. He was lauded by Caliph Uthman and issued a victory speech upon his return to Medina. During the First Fitna, he fought on the side of his aunt Aisha against the fourth Rashidun caliph Ali at the Battle of the Camel in Basra in December 656. His father Zubayr was killed, and Ibn al-Zubayr was wounded sparring with one of Ali's commanders, Malik al-Ashtar. After Ali's victory, Ibn al-Zubayr returned with Aisha to Medina and later took part in the arbitration to end the First Fitna.
Reader's Guide
Ibn al-Zubayr established himself in Mecca where he rallied opposition to Yazid (r. 680–683), before proclaiming himself caliph in the wake of Yazid's death in 683. He referred to himself as al-ʿaʾidh biʾl bayt (the fugitive at the sanctuary) and adopted the slogan la hukma illa li-llah (judgement belongs to God alone). Though widely recognized as caliph, his authority was largely nominal outside of the Hejaz. By 685, the Umayyad Caliphate had been reconstituted under Marwan I in Syria and Egypt, while Ibn al-Zubayr's authority was being challenged in Iraq and Arabia by Pro-Alid and Kharijite forces. His brother Mus'ab reasserted Ibn al-Zubayr's suzerainty in Iraq by 687, but was defeated and killed by Marwan's successor Abd al-Malik in 691. The Umayyad commander al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf proceeded to besiege Ibn al-Zubayr in his Meccan stronghold, where he was ultimately defeated and killed in 692. His refusal to leave Mecca precluded him from exercising power in the more populous provinces where he depended on his brother Mus'ab and other loyal lieutenants, who ruled with virtual independence.
Did You Know?
- Ibn al-Zubayr was the first child born to the Muhajirun, the earliest converts to Islam who had been exiled from Mecca to Medina.
- During the Muslim conquest of Ifriqiya in 647, he slew the Byzantine patrician Gregory after discovering a vulnerable point in the enemy battle lines.
- He was placed in charge of the defense of Caliph Uthman's house during the rebel siege in June 656 and was reportedly wounded in the fighting.
- The Kaaba was severely damaged during the Umayyad siege of Mecca in 683 due to al-Sakuni's bombardment.
- Ibn al-Zubayr rejected an offer to be recognized as caliph on the condition that he rule from Syria, the center of Umayyad military and administration.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr?
He was a Meccan nobleman and rival caliph who challenged Umayyad authority in the late 7th century CE. Born to Zubayr ibn al-Awwam and Asma bint Abi Bakr, he was a grandson of Abu Bakr, the first Rashidun caliph.
What role did Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr hold?
He led a rival caliphate based in Mecca during the Second Fitna, the civil war that erupted after the assassination of the third caliph. His claim drew support from much of the Arabian Peninsula and parts of the broader Muslim world.
How did Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr's story end?
Umayyad forces under the future caliph al-Walid I laid siege to Mecca around 693 CE, and he was killed during the final assault on the city. His death marked the end of the last serious challenge to Umayyad rule.
Why is Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr considered important?
As the first child born to the Muhajirun, the earliest emigrants to Medina, his lineage gave his caliphal claim exceptional prestige among early Muslims. His resistance also made him a lasting symbol of opposition to Umayyad dynastic authority.
What was Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr's family background?
His father, Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, was a close companion of the Prophet and a prominent early Muslim leader, while his mother Asma was the daughter of Abu Bakr, the first caliph. This placed him at the very center of the Prophet's inner circle by blood.
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