Hazrat Zubair Bin Al Awam (R.A)
Hazrat Zubair bin Al Awam (R.A) is amongst the ten Companions of Holy Prophet (S.A.W), who were given glad tidings of Paradise by the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) and are widely known as Ashrah Mubasharah.
Hazrat Zubair was the son of Hazrate Safiyyah bint Abdul Muttalib (R.A), the paternal aunt of Holy Prophet (S.A.W). He (R.A) was also the nephew of Hazrate Khadija (R.A).
He (R.A) embraced Islam at the age of Twelve or Fifteen. His uncle became furious when he heard about his conversion and decided to force him to return to the path of his ancestors by tormenting and torturing him.
Hazrat Zubair (R.A) used to be wrapped up in a rug with a rope tied around him and then have smoke inserted into his (R.A) nostrils till his breath was suffocated. His uncle would then comment that if he (R.A) wishes to escape the torment, he must refute Muhammad. He (R.A) always, very firmly replied in his roaring voice, "No, not at all! I shall not return to the path of my ancestors at any cost".
He (R.A) was also elected as one of the member of the advisory council, constituted by Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A) to elect the Caliph after him. He (R.A) was also one of those early Sahabah Iqraam who migrated to Ethiopia and then to Madina Shareef.
Hazrat Zubair (R.A) was also the most successful commanders of the Rashidun army and served under the Rashidun Caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakr Saddique (R.A) and Hazrat Umar (R.A).
Hazrat Zubair (R.A) had the honour to be the first to draw out his sword in the way of Islam for Jihad; he participated in all Ghuzwat (Holy war) during the period of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and during the orthodox Caliphate. He (R.A) also participated in conquests of Yarmouk and Hazrat Zubair (R.A) was the most successful field commander during the Muslim conquest of Egypt.
Hazrat Zubair (R.A) passed away from this world at the age of sixty seven. (Muhammad Rasool Allah, P.78, Sheikh Muhammad Raza)