Abu Nazir

The man who turned a Marine into a weapon against his own country.

Abu Nazir is a terrorist leader who personally contacts Brody and has a young son named Issa. He puts Brody into a fully furnished bedroom and bathroom, gets him a shave and haircut, and asks Brody to live with Issa and teach him to speak English. After Issa is killed in a drone strike that destroyed his school, Nazir and Brody watch a speech by Vice President Walden addressing the strike, then pray together as they prepare Issa's body for burial. Later, Nazir appears to Brody via a video chat session, reminding Brody of the events that led them to this point and that it was Brody's own decision to embark on this mission. Nazir attempts to reaffirm Brody's faith and his commitment to the mission.

Quick Facts

First appearance: Season 1, Episode 1

Lore & Background

Abu Nazir is introduced in the episode "Crossfire" through flashbacks to Brody's captivity. For the first time in five years of captivity, Brody is given suitable living quarters by Nazir. Nazir has a young son named Issa (Rohan Chand), whom he introduces to Brody. He asks Brody to live with Issa and teach him to speak English.

As they spend time together, Brody teaches Issa to speak English and takes on a fatherly role, and the two form a close relationship. Brody grows quite attached to the boy, as the first source of meaningful human contact in many years. One day, the school Issa attends is destroyed by a drone strike. Issa and 82 other children are killed.

Brody is devastated by the loss. Later, Abu Nazir and Brody watch a speech made by Vice President Walden (Jamey Sheridan) addressing the strike. Walden claims that a missile struck Abu Nazir's compound and that any images of dead children are merely images fabricated by the terrorists for propaganda purposes. The flashbacks end with Brody and Abu Nazir praying together as they prepare Issa's body for burial.

Reader's Guide

Abu Nazir is a key figure in Brody's backstory and present-day manipulation. He orchestrates Brody's radicalization through personal connection, using his son Issa to create an emotional bond. The drone strike that kills Issa and 82 other children is the pivotal event that cements Brody's commitment to Nazir's cause. In the present, Nazir uses a video chat to confront Brody about his wavering faith and reaffirm his mission. He directs Brody to accept Vice President Walden's offer to run for office as a sign of commitment. Nazir also has ties to Tom Walker, who is alive and working with him, and to Saudi diplomat Mansour Al-Zahrani, who acts as Walker's handler and delivers instructions to Brody.