An Episode from the Life of the Companions

An Episode from the Life of the Companions

1986 4 April 11 An Episode from the Life of the Companions (357) The Battle of Jamal took place in 36AH. On one side were the forces of Ali, son of Abu Talib, numbering about 20,000. Ranged against them was the army of Zubair ibn al-Awam, some 30,000 strong. Before the battle started, Ali and Zubair both came out of their ranks. So close did they approach one another that the noses of their horses were touching.

“Do you remember the day,” Ali addressed Zubair, “when God’s Messenger prophesied that you would one day fight against a person, and you would be the oppressor?”

“Yes, I remember it,” Zubair replied. “Why did you not remind me before I set out? I would never have left Medina. By God, I cannot fight you now.”

Having said this, Zubair returned to his troops. When his son, Abdullah ibn Zubair, heard about the matter, he was displeased that his father should have retreated from the field of battle. “You were the one who caused these two armies together,” he reminded his father, “and aroused in them enmity towards one another. Are you now going to quit the field of battle? It looks as if you have been struck with fear at the sight of ‘Ali’s army. You look like a coward.”

The exchange continued, but still Zubair did not remain in the field of battle. Quietly he rode off, only to be pursued by a malevolent creature by the name of Amr ibn al-Jarmooz. While Zubair was praying on the road, ‘Amr struck him down, just as his victim was in the act of prostration before God.

Zubair ibn al Awam was a companion of the Prophet, without doubt a brave and sincere person. Still, he was accused of being a “coward”. His conduct on this day, his adherence to the dictates of his conscience and the Prophet’s command in the face of open hostility from his own troops, even from his own son, was an act of supreme bravery. For this, he was accused of cowardice and weak resolve. Often it is the bravest people – those who do what is right no matter what people may say – who are accused of cowardice.