الزُّبَيْرُ بْنُ الْعَوَّام
رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
Zubayr ibn al-Awwam
Hawari · Early Muslim · Cousin of the Prophet ﷺ · Muhajir
may Allah be pleased with him
Quraysh — Banu Asad · Makkah and Madinah, up to 36 AH
One of the very first Muslims, and very young when he accepted Islam. He emigrated to Abyssinia and then Madinah, married Asma bint Abi Bakr, and was present through the major events of the Madinan decade.
Known for
Hawari — the Prophet's ﷺ disciple
The Prophet ﷺ said that every prophet had a disciple, and that his was az-Zubayr. It is reported in both of the two Sahih collections.
Among the very first Muslims
He accepted Islam in the earliest days in Makkah, while still very young. The reports give different ages.
Reported as the first to draw a sword in Islam
The sources report him running out with his sword drawn on hearing a rumour in Makkah that the Prophet ﷺ had been seized.
Cousin of the Prophet ﷺ
His mother Safiyyah was the Prophet's ﷺ aunt.
His story in moments
Short episodes from his life, in order. Read one at a time.
Life & legacy
Makkah
Zubayr was a nephew of Khadijah and a cousin of the Prophet ﷺ through his mother Safiyyah. He accepted Islam very early and very young — the sources place him among a handful of the first Muslims.
He emigrated to Abyssinia during the persecution, and later to Madinah. He married Asma bint Abi Bakr; their son Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr was among the first children born to the emigrants in Madinah.
Madinah and after
He was present at Badr, Uhud, the Trench and the expeditions that followed, and is one of the ten Companions named together as having been given glad tidings of Paradise.
He was killed in 36 AH, during the conflicts that followed Uthman's death. That period is heavily disputed in the sources and SahabaMate does not narrate or adjudicate it.
How the sources describe him
First to volunteer
He appears repeatedly in the sources as the person who steps forward when asked.
Connect
People around him
Family
- Abdullah ibn az-Zubayrعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرChild
His son, among the first children born to the emigrants in Madinah.
His wife, and the daughter of Abu Bakr.
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺRelative
His cousin — Zubayr's mother Safiyyah was the Prophet's ﷺ aunt.
His father-in-law, through his marriage to Asma.
Full timeline
- The earliest days in Makkah
Accepts Islam very young in Makkah
- 2 AH
Present at Badr
- 36 AH
Killed during the conflicts following Uthman's death
That period is heavily disputed in the sources; SahabaMate does not adjudicate it.
Part of
Sources & review
In reviewBased on the listed sources. See something to correct? Tell us.
As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyahالسيرة النبوية
Classical biography · Ibn Hisham, from the recension of Ibn Ishaq
Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabirالطبقات الكبرى
Classical biography · Ibn Sa'd
Tarikh ar-Rusul wa'l-Mulukتاريخ الرسل والملوك
Classical history · Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari
Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz as-Sahabahالإصابة في تمييز الصحابة
Classical biography · Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Sahih al-Bukhariصحيح البخاري
Hadith collection · Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari
Sahih Muslimصحيح مسلم
Hadith collection · Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj
SahabaMate editorial summary
Editorial summary
References follow the citation detail available in the source material.
Notice an error?
If something looks wrong or missing, send a correction and we’ll check it against the listed sources.
Notice an errorWant to remember what you learn about the Sahabah?
Pro adds Smart Review, the full Sahaba Album, adaptive quizzes, learning paths, a Mistake Notebook and personalised daily sessions across both apps.