Introduction

Following the death of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan in 60 AH (679 AD), a significant rift occurred in the Islamic world. Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr refused to pledge allegiance (Bay’ah) to Yazid ibn Muawiyah, who had succeeded his father. Abdullah retreated to Mecca, seeking refuge in the Sacred House (the Kaaba), and styled himself as “The One Seeking Refuge in the Sanctuary” (Al-A’idh bil-Bayt).

While he did not initially declare himself Caliph, he staunchly refused to recognize Yazid’s authority. Attempts by Yazid to force his submission failed, and the Umayyad ruler died without securing Ibn al-Zubayr’s allegiance.

Upon Yazid’s death in 64 AH (683 AD), the Umayyad state fell into chaos, exacerbated by Muawiyah II’s refusal to accept the throne. The Muslim Ummah, looking for leadership, found no one more qualified than Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr due to his knowledge, virtue, and capability. He was pledged allegiance as Caliph, and his authority was recognized across the Islamic world, with the exception of Jordan in the Levant. It was from there that the Umayyads regrouped to challenge Ibn al-Zubayr, eventually reclaiming power and ending his state.

Birth and Upbringing: The First Born of the Emigrants

Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr was born into one of the noblest Arab households on the 2nd of Sha’ban in the second year of the Hijrah (2 AH).

  • Father: Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, a senior Companion and one of the “Ten Promised Paradise.”
  • Mother: Asma bint Abi Bakr al-Siddiq (The Possessor of the Two Waistbands).

He holds the distinction of being the first child born to the Muslims (Muhajirun) in Medina after the Hijrah. His birth brought immense joy to the Muslim community, debunking the claims of the Jews who had rumored that they had bewitched the Muslims so no male children would be born to them.

He was raised in a devout environment, absorbing the essence of Prophethood from a young age. His aunt, Aisha (Mother of the Believers), took great care of him, to the extent that she was kunya-ed “Umm Abdullah” (Mother of Abdullah) despite having no children of her own.

A Natural Leader

From childhood, Abdullah exhibited leadership qualities. Omar ibn al-Khattab predicted a bright future for him after witnessing his courage. Once, Omar passed by Abdullah playing with other children. While the other children fled in awe of Omar, Abdullah stood his ground. Omar asked, “Why did you not run with them?” Abdullah replied, “I have not committed a crime to fear you, and the road is not too narrow for me to make way for you.”

Jihad and Early Military Career

Raised on piety and bravery, it was natural for him to love Jihad.

  • Age 14: He participated in the Battle of Yarmouk (15 AH / 636 AD).
  • Conquest of Egypt: He fought alongside his father.
  • North Africa: He fought under Abdullah ibn Sa’d during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, displaying military genius that secured victory.
  • Defense of Uthman: During the siege of Uthman ibn Affan (35 AH / 655 AD), Abdullah was at the forefront of the Caliph’s defenders.

He later witnessed the Battle of the Camel alongside his father, Talha ibn Ubaydullah, and Aisha.

When Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan became Caliph (41 AH / 661 AD), he treated Abdullah with great honor, a policy Muawiyah maintained with the sons of senior Companions to ensure stability. Abdullah reciprocated with loyalty, participating in campaigns such as the raid on Ifriqiya (45 AH) and the siege of Constantinople (49 AH) in the army led by Yazid ibn Muawiyah.

The Refusal to Pledge Allegiance to Yazid

Relations remained stable until Muawiyah sought to secure the succession for his son, Yazid. Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr led the opposition against this move, viewing it as a shift from the Islamic principle of Shura (consultation) to a hereditary monarchy.

When Yazid took power (60 AH), he demanded allegiance. While many regions complied, the Hejaz—specifically the sons of the Companions, including Husayn ibn Ali and Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr—refused. To avoid coercion, Abdullah fled Medina for Mecca.

The Death of Yazid

Following the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala (10th Muharram, 61 AH), support for Ibn al-Zubayr grew. Yazid sent an army against Mecca led by Muslim ibn Uqba (who died en route) and then Al-Husayn ibn Numayr. They besieged Mecca for 64 days. During the fighting, news arrived of Yazid’s death (14 Rabi’ al-Awwal, 64 AH / 685 AD), throwing the Umayyad army into disarray.

Ibn al-Zubayr: Caliph of the Muslims

With the death of Yazid, the siege ended. Al-Husayn ibn Numayr even offered to pledge allegiance to Ibn al-Zubayr if he relocated to Syria, but Abdullah refused.

Abdullah declared himself Caliph and received the pledge of allegiance in Rajab, 64 AH. His authority was recognized in:

  • Mecca and Medina (The Hejaz)
  • Iraq (Kufa and Basra)
  • Egypt
  • Khorasan
  • Most of Syria

He was the logical choice: a Companion raised in the Prophetic household, known for his fasting, prayer, eloquence, and lineage. However, he lacked the political pragmatism of the Umayyads, specifically in the use of wealth to buy loyalty and divide opponents.

The Struggle for Control

1. Conflict with Marwan ibn al-Hakam

Abdullah chose to remain in Mecca, the spiritual center, rather than moving to Damascus or Medina. His critical strategic error was expelling the Umayyad clan (including Marwan ibn al-Hakam and his son Abd al-Malik) from Medina. They fled to Syria, regrouped at the conference of Al-Jabiya, and appointed Marwan as Caliph.

Marwan quickly recaptured Syria (Battle of Marj Rahit, 64 AH) and then Egypt (65 AH), securing the western front for the Umayyads before his death.

2. Conflict with Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan

Marwan was succeeded by his capable son, Abd al-Malik. The Islamic world was now split.

  • The Levant & Egypt: Under Abd al-Malik.
  • Hejaz & Iraq: Under Ibn al-Zubayr.

Complicating matters was the rise of Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi in Iraq, who rallied the Shias. Abd al-Malik wisely waited for Ibn al-Zubayr’s brother, Mus’ab ibn al-Zubayr, to defeat Al-Mukhtar (67 AH), weakening the Zubayrid forces in the process.

The Loss of Iraq

In 71 AH (690 AD), Abd al-Malik marched on Iraq. He used bribery and correspondence to turn tribal leaders against Mus’ab. In the Battle of Maskin (Dayr al-Jathaliq) in 72 AH, Mus’ab was betrayed and killed. Abd al-Malik took Kufa, bringing Iraq back under Umayyad control.

The Fall of the State

The loss of Iraq was catastrophic. Abd al-Malik dispatched a ruthless commander, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, with 20,000 troops to subdue Mecca.

Al-Hajjaj besieged the Holy City. He set up catapults (manjaniq) on Mount Abu Qubays and bombarded the city, even striking the Kaaba. The siege was brutal. As food ran out, Abdullah’s followers abandoned him, including two of his own sons who sought amnesty from Al-Hajjaj.

The Final Stance

Seeing his support crumble, Abdullah went to his mother, Asma bint Abi Bakr (who was over 100 years old and blind). He described his isolation. She replied with immortal words of courage:

“If you know you are upon the Truth and calling to it, then persevere… But if you only sought the world, then what a wretched servant you are; you have destroyed yourself and those with you.”

Bolstered by her resolve, he returned to the battlefield. He fought fearlessly until he was martyred on 17 Jumada al-Awwal, 73 AH (October 4, 692 AD).

His death marked the end of his Caliphate, which had lasted approximately nine years, and the reunification of the Islamic world under the Umayyads.

By: Ahmed Tamam

Sources:

  • History of the Prophets and Kings – Al-Tabari
  • Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh – Ibn al-Athir
  • The Islamic World in the Umayyad Era – Abdul Shafi Muhammad
  • Abdullah bin Al-Zubayr – Ali Hosni Al-Kharboutli