Narrated `Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr:When Al-Zubayr got up during the Battle of the Camel, he called me and I stood up beside him, and he said to me, "O my son! Today one will be killed either as an oppressor or as an oppressed one. I see that I will be killed as an oppressed one. My biggest worry is my debts. Do you think, if we pay the debts, there will be something left for us from our money?" Al-Zubayr added, "O my son! Sell our property and pay my debts." Al-Zubayr then willed one-third of his property and willed one-third of that portion to his sons; namely, `Abdullah's sons. He said, "One-third of the one third. If any property is left after the payment of the debts, one-third (of the one-third of what is left) is to be given to your sons." (Hishaam, a sub-narrator added, "Some of the sons of `Abdullah were equal in age to the sons of Al-Zubayr e.g. Khubayb and `Abbaad. `Abdullah had nine sons and nine daughters at that time." (The narrator `Abdullah added:) My father (Al-Zubayr) went on drawing my attention to his debts saying, "If you should fail to pay part of the debts, appeal to my Master to help you." By Allah! I could not understand what he meant till I asked, "O father! Who is your Master?" He replied, "Allah (is my Master)." By Allah, whenever I had any difficulty regarding his debts, I would say, "O Master of Al-Zubayr! Pay his debts on his behalf ." and Allah would (help me to) pay it. Al-Zubayr was martyred leaving no Dinar or Dirham but two pieces of land, one of which was (called) Al-Ghaabah, and eleven houses in Al-Madeenah, two in the city of al-Basrah, one in the city of Koofah and one in Egypt. In fact, the source of the debt which he owed was, that if somebody brought some money to deposit with him. Al-Zubayr would say, "No, (I won't keep it as a trust), but I take it as a debt, for I am afraid it might be lost." Al-Zubayr was never appointed governor or collector of the tax of Kharaaj or any other similar job, but he collected his wealth (from the war booty he gained) during the battles he took part in, in the company of the Prophetﷺ, Aboo Bakr, `Umar, and `Uthmaan(may Allah be pleased with them). (`Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr added:) When I counted his debt, it turned to be two million and two hundred thousand. (The sub-narrator added:) Hakeem ibn Hizaam met `Abdullah ibn Zubayr and asked, "O my nephew! How much is the debt of my brother?" `Abdullah kept it as a secret and said, "One hundred thousand," Hakeem said, "By Allah! I do not think your property will cover it." On that `Abdullah said to him, "What if it is two million and two hundred thousand?" Hakeem said, "I do not think you can pay it; so if you are unable to pay all of it, I will help you." Az- Zubayr had already bought Al-Ghaabah for one hundred and seventy thousand. `Abdullah sold it for one million and six hundred thousand. Then he called the people saying, "Any person who has any money claim on Al-Zubayr should come to us in Al-Ghaabah." There came to him `Abdullah ibn Ja`far whom Al-Zubayr owed four hundred thousand. He said to `Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr, "If you wish I will forgive you the debt." `Abdullah (ibn Al-Zubayr) said, "No." Then Ibn Ja`far said, "If you wish you can defer the payment if you should defer the payment of any debt." Ibn Al-Zubayr said, "No." `Abdullah ibn Ja`far said, "Give me a piece of the land." `Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr said (to him), "Yours is the land extending from this place to this place." So, `Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr sold some of the property (including the houses) and paid his debt perfectly, retaining four and a half shares from the land (i.e. Al-Ghaabah). He then went to Mu'aawiyyah while `Amr ibn `Uthmaan, Al-Munthir ibn Az- Zubayr and Ibn Zam`ah were sitting with him. Mu'aawiyyah asked, "At what price have you appraised Al- Ghaabah?" He said, "One hundred thousand for each share," Mu’aawiyyah asked, "How many shares have been left?" `Abdullah replied, "Four and a half shares." Al-Munthir ibn Al-Zubayr said, "I would like to buy one share for one hundred thousand." `Amr ibn `Uthmaan said, "I would like to buy one share for one hundred thousand." Ibn Zam`ah said, "I would like to buy one share for one hundred thousand." Mu’aawiyyah said, "How much is left now?" `Abdullah replied, "One share and a half." Mu’aawiyyah said, "I would like to buy it for one hundred and fifty thousand." `Abdullah also sold his part to Mu’aawiyyah six hundred thousand. When Ibn Al-Zubayr had paid all the debts. Al-Zubayr's sons said to him, "Distribute our inheritance among us." He said, "No, by Allah, I will not distribute it among you till I announce in four successive Hajj seasons, 'Would those who have money claims on Al-Zubayr come so that we may pay them their debt." So, he started to announce that in public in every Hajj season, and when four years had elapsed, he distributed the inheritance among the inheritors. Al-Zubayr had four wives, and after the one-third of his property was excluded (according to the will), each of his wives received one million and two hundred thousand. The total amount of his property was fifty million and two hundred thousand..
Commentary :
The Companions(may Allah be pleased with them)would always put their trust in Allah as He ought to be relied upon in all aspects of their lives, and this was evident in their submitting of their affairs to Allah Almighty and not fearing poverty.They would take from the world what Allah had decreed for them with a contented soul without squabbling over it, and there was a blessing in their lives.
In this hadeeth, Abdullah ibnAl-Zubayr reports a conversation that occurred between him and his father, when Al-Zubayribn al-’Awwaam(may Allah be pleased with him) took his position during the Battle of the Camel (whichconsisted ofAl-Zubayribn al-’Awwaam and Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullah(may Allah be pleased with them)and those who were with them on one side, while ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allah be pleased with him)and his companions were on the other;it occurred at the gate of Basra 36 years after the murder of ‘Uthmaan (may Allah be pleased with him)).Al-Zubayribn Al-‘Awwaam called his son ‘Abdullahand told him that either an oppressor or an oppressed would be killed that day in battle. He said that because both parties were acting upon their respective interpretations, he told him that he thought he would be killed that day unjustly.Perhaps that was because he did not intend to fight. He wanted to instruct his son to pay off his debts, and he informed him that the greatest of his concern was these debts.He thought that his debts would not leave anything of his wealth. His concern was valid because his debt was solarge that he feared it might not be repaid. For that reason, he asked ‘Abdullah to sell his assets and property andthereby pay off his debts.Then, he bequeathed one-third of his wealth in absolute terms, then a third of one-third to the sons of ‘Abdullah ibnAl-Zubayr specifically.The sons of ‘Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr were of the same age as the children of Al-Zubayr, buthe singled out Abdullah's children alone because they increased in number.Khubayb and ‘Abbaad were the two sons of ‘Abdullah ibnAl-Zubayr, and there were no other children besides them in those days;at the same time,Al-Zubayr had nine boys and nine girls on the day of his bequest.Al-Zubayr began instructing his son ‘Abdullah to pay off his debts first by saying, “My son, if you should fail to pay part of the debts, appeal to my Master to help you.”‘Abdullah did not know what Al-Zubayr meant by his master, so he asked him, “My dear father! Who is your master?” He replied, “Allah.”This statement emanates from his complete submission to Allah and reliance on Him, and having trust in Him, the Glorified. He was his Master, his Helper, and his Assister in his life and after his death. As such, ‘Abdullah ibnAl-Zubayr swore by Allah that whenever he fell into distress whilst repaying the debts, he sought Allah’s help and said: “O Master of Al-Zubayr, repay for him his debts,” and He would pay off his debts, meaning Allah, in positive response to his supplication.
What Al-Zubayr expected happened.He was killed in this battle, but he died while he had not left behind any dinar or dirham, rather he had left two lands, one of which was al-Ghaabah, a vast area of land in hilly areas of al-Madeenah, eleven houses in al-Madeenah, two houses in al-Basrah, a house in al-Koofah, and a house in Egypt, and these estates were sold to pay off Al-Zubayr's debts.
‘Abdullah ibnAl-Zubayr mentions the cause of his father's debts.He recalled that a man would come to him with his wealth and would give it to him for safe-keeping and as a trust kept with him.But Al-Zubayr would say, “I will not accept it as a deposit; instead, I will take it as a liable loan,”in case he were to lose it, as this would grant more confidence to the owner of the wealth, and better protect the chivalry of Al-Zubayr(may Allah be pleased with him).
Then, ‘Abdullah went on to mention the source of his father's wealth.Al-Zubayr(may Allah be pleased with him) never became a ruler, nor did he collect taxes, or anything that would be a reason for collecting money.He meant by this to explain that the large amount of his wealth was not attained from thosesources concerning which people are perceived negatively. He clarified that most of the wealth that he acquired was from his share in thewar spoils that he gathered after every battle in which accompanied the Prophet ﷺ, or partook with Aboo Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthmaan, (may Allah be pleased with them). In other words, the source of his wealth was from war spoils and booty, and what the Prophet ﷺ had bestowed upon him.Thus, Allah granted him blessing in his wealth due to its good origin.
Afterward, his son ‘Abdullah counted what he owed of debt and found it to be two thousand multiplied by a thousand and two hundred thousand, meaning: two million and two hundred thousand dirhams. Hakeem ibn Hizaam met ‘Abdullah ibnAl-Zubayr and asked him, “How much debt does your father owe?”He concealed the total amount of the debt from him, and he replied that the debt was one hundred thousand; he did not lie in his words, as it does not negate an excess of the hundred [thousand].He was truthful in some, while he concealed the other amount. It was said: He only said to him: “One hundred thousand” and concealed the rest, lest Hakeem ibn Hizaam would think negativelyabout Al-Zubayr due to the large amount hehad borrowed, or thinkhe lacked firmness, orthat ‘Abdullah would fail to repay the debt. In these ways he could end up perceivingthat he was a person in need. However, Hakeem said, “By Allah, I do not perceive that your wealth will be enough for this debt.”So ‘Abdullah revealed the full amount to him, saying, “Tell me what you think if the debt amountedto two million and two hundred thousand.” When ‘Abdullah saw that Hakeem had perceived the issue of one hundred thousand to be a huge amount, he was compelled to disclose to him of all the debts, and let him know that he was able to repay them. However, Hakeem replied, “I do not see you all being able to repay this amount, so if you cannot handle part of it, then feel free to request assistance from me.”
‘Abdullah managed to sell al-Ghaabah for one million and six hundred thousand dirhams. So he proclaimed among the people, “If anyone has a financial right due on Al-Zubayr, then let him come to us at al-Ghaabah.”‘Abdullah ibn Ja’far ibn Abee Taalib(may Allah be pleased with him) came to him as he had lent four hundred thousand to Al-Zubayr, and he said to Abdullah ibn al-Al-Zubayr, “If you wish, I can forsake the claim in support of you out of generosity and grace, so I will not claim back my debt.” ‘Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr replied, “Do not forsake your debt.” Ibn Ja’far said, “If you wish, you can place it with that amount that you will repay later, if you are going to delay the repayments.”He was suggesting to be placedat the end of the list of people who were due repayment.‘Abdullah replied, “Do not suggest delays.” Ibn Ja’far answered, “In that case, cut for me a portion of the land to repay my debt.”Ibn Al-Zubayr estimated perfectly for him the land, and he sold part of al-Ghaabah and some houses that were not part of al-Ghaabah, and he was able to repay his father’s debt.
He repaid him in full, and there were four and half portions left unsold of al-Ghaabah.Afterwards, ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr came to Mu’aawiyah ibn Abee Sufyaan in Damascus.‘Amr ibn ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan, his brother al-Munthiribn al-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwaam, and Ibn Zam’ah were with him.Mu’aawiyah asked, “At how much was al-Ghaabah estimated?”He answered him, “Every portion out of the original sixteen portions was estimated at one hundred thousand.”He asked, “How many portions are left?”He answered, “Four and half portions.”Al-Munthir ibn al-Zubayr said, “I have bought one portion for one hundred thousand.”‘Amr ibn ‘Uthmaan said, “I have taken one portion for one hundred thousand.” Ibn Zam’ah said, “I have bought a portion for one hundred thousand.”Then Mu’aawiyah asked, “Now how much is left?”He answered, “One and half portions.”He said, “I have taken it for one hundred and fifty thousand.”After every creditor had received his financial due, ‘Abdullah ibn Ja’far sold his share to Mu’aawiyah for six hundred thousand, making a profit of two hundred thousand.
Once Ibn al-Zubayr had completed repaying the debts of his father, the children of al-Zubayr told him, “Now, divide between us our inheritance.”However, ‘Abdullah said, “By Allah, I will not distribute the inheritance between you yet, until I proclaim during the Hajj season for four years,“Attention everyone!If anyone is owed by al-Zubayr any money, let him come to us, we will repay his debt.”This does not entail stopping the rightful inheritor from getting his right,which is the distributed portion and the ability to transact in his portion.That is because ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr was a custodian of the estates of al-Zubayr, and he dealt with what was in the interests of paying off the debts first.He assumed that there was a possibility of having remaining debts, whereas distribution to the inheritors only happens after paying off all debts due on the deceased.
The reason he singled out the proclamation for the period of four years is that most likely the distance between Makkah and other distant lands can be travelled during that period in two years, and he intended for the news to reach all parts of the territory and return to him, so he could thereby be assured that he had absolved himself from the responsibility of his father.
He kept on proclaiming every year during the Hajj season, when people from all the corners of the Islamic State assemble, “Attention everyone!Whoever is owed by al-Zubayr anything, please come to us and we will pay off what he is owed.”When four years passed, he distributed the inheritance between them.Al-Zubayr had four wives when he died; they were, Umm Khaalid, al-Rabaab, Zaynab, and ‘Aatikah bint Zayd. ‘Abdullah removed the third portion of the remaining bequeathed wealth which al-Zubayr had bequeathed for the poor people.Every wife got one million two hundred thousand. The total of his remaining wealth was five million and two hundred thousand.
This hadeeth shows that it was among the guidance of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to bequeath at times of war, and to bequeath for the grandsons if there are those inheritors who would legally prevent the inheritance from reaching them.
It also shows that it is permissible to delay the distribution of inheritance until all the debts of the deceased are repaid and his bequests are fully executed.
The hadeeth shows that it is part of the guidance of the Companions(may Allah be pleased with them) for the inheritor as well as the executor [if he wishes] to buy from the left-behind estates if theyare sold.
Italso shows the generosity of ‘Abdullah ibn Ja’far, hence, he was known as the ‘sea of generosity’ and it expounds the virtue and grace of both Ja’far and Hakeem ibn Hizaam.
The hadeeth contains a prohibition from being in debt for the one who cannot repay it or wouldspend it wrongly.
It was part of the guidance of the Companions to proclaim concerning the debts of the one known to have taken loans, and that the proclamation should occur during important seasons, as they are the main assemblies of the people.
The hadeeth motivates and inspires us to have firm trust in and reliance on Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
It also expounds the blessings of Allah, the Glorified, for the holy warrior and the one striving in His path in his wealth during his lifetime and death..
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