Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr

Lore & Background

As a youth, Ibn al-Zubayr participated in the early Muslim conquests alongside his father in Syria and Egypt, and later played a role in the Muslim conquests of North Africa and northern Iran in 647 and 650, respectively. During the 647 campaign in Ifriqiya, he discovered a vulnerable point in the battle lines of the Byzantine defenders and slew their patrician, Gregory. He was lauded by Caliph Uthman and issued a victory speech upon his return to Medina. During the First Fitna, he fought on the side of his aunt Aisha against the fourth Rashidun caliph Ali at the Battle of the Camel in Basra in December 656. His father Zubayr was killed, and Ibn al-Zubayr was wounded sparring with one of Ali's commanders, Malik al-Ashtar. After Ali's victory, Ibn al-Zubayr returned with Aisha to Medina and later took part in the arbitration to end the First Fitna.

Reader's Guide

Ibn al-Zubayr established himself in Mecca where he rallied opposition to Yazid (r. 680–683), before proclaiming himself caliph in the wake of Yazid's death in 683. He referred to himself as al-ʿaʾidh biʾl bayt (the fugitive at the sanctuary) and adopted the slogan la hukma illa li-llah (judgement belongs to God alone). Though widely recognized as caliph, his authority was largely nominal outside of the Hejaz. By 685, the Umayyad Caliphate had been reconstituted under Marwan I in Syria and Egypt, while Ibn al-Zubayr's authority was being challenged in Iraq and Arabia by Pro-Alid and Kharijite forces. His brother Mus'ab reasserted Ibn al-Zubayr's suzerainty in Iraq by 687, but was defeated and killed by Marwan's successor Abd al-Malik in 691. The Umayyad commander al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf proceeded to besiege Ibn al-Zubayr in his Meccan stronghold, where he was ultimately defeated and killed in 692. His refusal to leave Mecca precluded him from exercising power in the more populous provinces where he depended on his brother Mus'ab and other loyal lieutenants, who ruled with virtual independence.

Did You Know?

• Ibn al-Zubayr was the first child born to the Muhajirun, the earliest converts to Islam who had been exiled from Mecca to Medina.
• During the Muslim conquest of Ifriqiya in 647, he slew the Byzantine patrician Gregory after discovering a vulnerable point in the enemy battle lines.
• He was placed in charge of the defense of Caliph Uthman's house during the rebel siege in June 656 and was reportedly wounded in the fighting.
• The Kaaba was severely damaged during the Umayyad siege of Mecca in 683 due to al-Sakuni's bombardment.
• Ibn al-Zubayr rejected an offer to be recognized as caliph on the condition that he rule from Syria, the center of Umayyad military and administration.

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