Zubair bin-ul-Awam (RA) was one of the closest related persons to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) is one of the most famous and respectable personalities of Islam. He (RA) served his whole life for the betterment and establishment of Islam. He (RA) was one of the favorite companions of Rasool Allah (SAW) who awarded Zubair with the title of Hawari-e-Rasul meaning the disciple of the messenger of Allah.

He (RA) was related to the Holy Prophet (SAW) in many ways. Firstly, he (RA) was the cousin of the Holy Prophet (SAW) as he was the son of Safiyah (RA) the aunt of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Khadijatul Kubra the wife of the Holy Prophet (SAW) was the aunt of Zubair bin-ul-Awam (RA) so the Holy Prophet (SAW) became his uncle. He (RA) was also the brother-in-law of the Holy Prophet (SAW) as the sister of Hazrat Ayesha (RA) was married to him. He (RA) also had ancestral relations with the Holy prophet (SAW). Belonging to a family, which was very close to the Holy Prophet (SAW) it was quite natural that he also accepted and embraced Islam. He (RA) accepted Islam between the age of 12 and 16 years. His father died when Zubair (RA) was still a child. His mother Safiyah (RA) made him a tough and brave man.

The Bravery of Zubair (RA)

Hazrat Zubair (RA) was a brave person since childhood and there are many examples of his immaculate bravery. As Rasool Allah (SAW) declared that, he was the one who raised the first sword against the antagonists in Makah when he was just sixteen. He had deep love and affection for the last prophet and his religious preaching.

Zubair and the Zuberi Clan

The history of Zubairi family is traceable to the time of Last Prophet of Islam. Hazrat Zubair had a large family with 21 children out of 12 were male and 9 of them were female children. Three of his male children became much popular as one became the caliph at Makkah called Abdullah, second son became the governor of Kufa called Musab and the third son became the famous historian of Islam called Urwa. Zubairi clan is present in the Indian Sub continent, Middle East, UK and USA. One of the famous saints in Zubairi clan is called Hazrat Sheikh Samauddin Zuberi from the 14^th century AD.

Author: Shazia Jilani

Tallha bin Ubaidullah (RA) was one of the closest followers of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and had his family roots to the Taym section of the Quarish tribe. He (RA) was a close friend of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA). He (RA) belonged to a rich family and was a successful businessperson with earning more than thousand dinars per day. He (RA) owned lot of real estate property in Medina and had many servants.

Talha bin Ubaidullah (RA) was one of the first few Muslims who turned to the teachings of Islam and followed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) accepted Islam as a religion at a very young age of eighteen years and was one of the very few people in Mecca who were able to read and write at the advent of Islam. He (RA) was one of the six people who were believed to be the successors of Hazrat Umar (RA) as the third caliph of Islam. He (RA) played an important role in the battle of Uhud. He (RA) was wounded badly in his attempt to save the Holy Prophet (SAW) but did not back out and saved the Holy Prophet (SAW) from the ditch in which He (SAW) had fallen. He (RA) also played a vital part in the battle of Trench. He (RA) was one of those few people to whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) had given the tidings of paradise.

“Tallha the Good”

Talha bin Ubaidullah (RA) well known for his generosity and charitable nature helped people with problems, those experiencing hardships of life and widows. Due to his legendary kindness and open heartedness, he was called “Talha the Generous”!

Author: Shazia Jilani

Sa’eed bin Zayd (RA) was among the closest persons to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) was among the ten people who were promised paradise in their lives by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) had not even crossed the age of twenty, when he accepted the teachings of Islam. He (RA) was one of the earliest people who converted to Islam. He (RA) played a vital role in the betterment of Islam during its advent.

Married to Fatima, sister of Hazrat Umar (RA) who was also his uncle as well as his cousin, Sa’eed bin Zayd (RA) faced many hardships and cruelties by the people of Makah. He (RA) played the role of secretary of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and used to record the Quranic verses during the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) was a very pious man and followed the teachings of Islam throughout his life. He (RA) took part in many battles and fought valiantly. He (RA) always used to remain in front of the Holy Prophet (SAW) as a shield in the battles to protect him (SAW) from any kind of harm. He (RA) disliked taking positions in high command and did not like to take oaths. According to a famous incident recorded in history, he (RA) gave up on his righteous claim in order to swear an oath upon the holy book. He is also famous for refusing the offer for the position of governor, as he preferred to spend his life as a soldier and live only for the cause of Islam.

During the lifetime of Muhammad

In his early carrer, he served as the secretary of the Prophet and recorded the verses of the Quran which were revealed to the Prophet.^[3] History record that Sa’eed bin Zayd was a pious man and he never did anything throughout his life against the teachings of Muhammad. It is a said that ‘Sa’eed always covered Muhammad keeping himself ahead and in front of him in battle and always stood behind him in prayers. He took part in a number of battles, even after the death of Muhammad, for the sake of Islam, and fought very bravely.

He participated in all of the battles in which Muhammad participated personally with the exception of the battle of Badr.Muhammad had sent Talha and Sa’eed bin Zayd to get information on the movement of the Quraysh army. They missed the Quraysh army and by the time they returned, the battle had been won by the Muslims. However, both of them were given their share of the war trophies of the battle.

During the time of the Caliphs

Sa’eed bin Zayd was offered the office of a Governor on account of his courage and administrative abilities, but he did not accept it.

Once he was appointed Governor of Damascus without his consent. He wrote to Abu ‘Ubayda, “I am unable to offer such a sacrifice. You will perform Jihad while I will be deprived of it. Please send someone else to replace me as soon as you receive this letter. I am coming to you soon.” Later, he fought as an ordinary soldier in all the battles which were waged for the cause of Islam.

He is said to have passed the rest of his life in perfect peace and did not ever incline towards the mundane pleasures of life.

He disliked taking oaths. Once he had to attend a court of law in connection with a suit. The judge asked him to speak on oath. He withdrew his case and abandoned his claim. His submission to faith, his fear of Allah, and his services for the cause of Islam, earned him the glad tidings from Muhammad during his lifetime that he would enter the Eternal Gardens in the life hereafter.

Author: Shazia Jilani

Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqās (RA) was one of the ten people who were promised paradise by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) was in the panel of the six people who had to choose the next caliph of Islam among them after the death of the second caliph Hazrat Umar (RA). He (RA) served his whole life in serving Islam and spreading it. He (RA) took many responsibilities at the advent of Islam.

He (RA) embraced the teachings of Islam at a young age of 17 and was one of the earliest to do it. Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqās (RA) was closely related to the Holy Prophet (SAW) and was his (SAW) cousin. However, Holy Prophet (SAW) considered him his uncle. Holy Prophet (SAW) once said: “Here is my uncle, Sa`d. if anyone has an uncle like him, then he should show me.” [Ibn Hajari, Tarikh, 2:33; Ibn Athir, ibid, 2:291]. Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqās (RA) was one of those sahabas or companion of Rasool Allah who worked tirelessly for the betterment of Islam and he (RA) also took the responsibilities of preacher, ambassador and an adviser to the Holy Prophet (SAW). He (RA) played a vital role in the battles of Persia and Qadsiya in the reign of Hazrat Umar (RA). He (RA) was sent to the battlefield as commander of the army in both these conquests. With his immaculate strength and bravery, he (RA) taught a worthy lesson to the enemies of Islam.

The Memorable Role

Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqās (RA) was a preacher and played a role of advisor to Rasool Allah. He was a traveler and famous warrior. Designated as ambassador he (RA) played a significant role in developing the diplomatic relations with China. At the age of eighty he died and is buried in Madinah. The immaculate and impeccable services by Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqās would always be remembered as he was loyal to the Holy Prophet (SAW). His statesmanship and Governorship of Persia are notable services to Islam.

Author: Shazia Jilani

Abdul Rahman bin Auf (RA) was very close to the Holy Prophet (SAW). He (RA) was one of the few people whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) promised paradise. He (RA) was a very pious man and was among one of the first eight people who accepted Islam. Before accepting Islam his name was Abd Amr meaning the servant of Amr. He (RA) was freed from his master and the Holy Prophet (SAW) named him as Abdul Rahman.

After the migration to Medina, he (RA) started his own business. He (RA) was a very good businessperson and his business thrived. He (RA) became a very rich man and always gave charity. Once the Holy Prophet (SAW) asked for donations for the Jehad fund and he (RA) donated 2000 dinars for the service of Islam and left 2000 for his family. The Holy Prophet (SAW) prayed for him and prayed for barakah in his wealth. He (RA) also has the privilege of leading a prayer in which the Holy Prophet (SAW) joined the prayer in the second rakkah. He (RA) was an active member in the battles of Badr, Uhud and Tabuk. He (RA) was stationed with other soldiers on the strategic hillock in the battle of Uhud. He (RA) remained steadfast and fought bravely following the orders of the Holy Prophet (SAW) while others left in order to take the winnings of the battle and received heavy injuries.

The Legendary Generosity

Hazrat Abdul Rahman Bin Auf (RA) would always be remembered for his generosity and contribution to Islam. He distributed most of his wealth, possessions, and belongings for the jihad fund and survivors of war called Badr as well as bequeathed for the Umhaat al Mumineen (Prophet’s (SAW) widows). He is one of those sahaba or companions of Rasool Allah who earned much honor and wealth but used their monetary to strengthen the Muslims.

Contribution to Islam

One day, a loud rumbling sound was heard coming from beyond the boundaries of Madinah normally a calm and peaceful city.The rumbling sound gradually increased in volume. In addition, clouds of dust and sand were stirred up and blown in the wind. The people of Madinah soon realized that a mighty caravan was entering the city. They stood in amazement as seven hundred camels laden with goods moved into the city and crowded the streets. There was much seven hundred camels.” Sayadah Aishah shook her head and gazed in the distance as if she was trying to recall some scene or utterance of the past and then she said: “I have heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: I have seen Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf entering Paradise leaping and of the Prophet? Some friends of his related to Abdur-Rahman the hadith which Aishah had mentioned. He remembered that he had heard the hadith more than have never forgotten,” he is also reported to have said. He was so over-joyed and added: “If I could I would certainly like to enter Paradise standing. I swear to you, yaa Ammah, that this entire caravan with all its merchandise, I will giver sabilillah.” And so he did. In a great festival of charity and righteousness, he distributed all that the massive caravan had brought to the people of Madinah and surrounding areas. This is just one incident which showed what type of man Abdur-Rahman was. He earned much wealth but he never remained attached to it for its own sake and he did not allow it to corrupt him. Abdur-setting out in the path of Allah and one thousand five hundred camels to another group of mujahidin, four hundred dinars of gold to the survivors of Badr and a large legacy to the Ummahaat al Muminin and the catalogue goes on

Author: Shazia Jilani