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