Al-Hajjaaj attacked with his army, besieging him and his followers. At that time, among Abdullaah's warriors was a group of very skillful Abyssinian spearmen and warriors. 'Abdullaah heard them talking about the late Caliph `Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him. Their conversation lacked all forms of justice and fairness. 'Abdullaah reprimanded them severely, saying, "By Allah, I don't like to defeat my enemy with the help of someone hating `Uthmaan." He sent them away at a very critical time in which he needed help so desperately, like a drowning man seeking hope.
His sincerity and honesty in faith and principles made him indifferent to the loss of 200 of his most skillful spearmen, the faith of whom he could no longer trust.
All that despite the fierce decisive battle which stood in front of him, the outcome of which could have been different if those spearmen had remained.
His resistance against Mu'aawiyah and Yazeed was an extraordinary legend of bravery. He considered Yazeed Ibn Mu'aawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan the most unqualified person to rule the Muslimcommunity. That was true. Yazeed was totally corrupt. He did not possess one single virtue which would forgive his crimes and evils which have been narrated by history.
How was it possible for Ibn Az-Zubayr to swear the oath of allegiance to him? He strongly refused to do so while Mu'aawiyah was alive and more so when Yazeed became caliph. Yazeed sent someone to threaten him. He, however, said, "I'm not going to swear the oath of allegiance to a drunkard."
Ibn Az-Zubair became Commander of the Faithful with Holy Makkah as his capital, extending his rule over Hejaaz, Yemen, Basra, Kufa, Khurasaan, and Syria except Damascus. The inhabitants of all these provinces swore the oath of allegiance to him. But the Ommiads were not satisfied. Restless, they waged continuous wars, most of which ended in their defeat. Nothing changed until `Abdul-Maalik Ibn Marwaan ordered one of the most harsh, criminal, cruel, and merciless human beings to attack 'Abdullaah in Makkah. This was Al-Hajjaaj Ath-Thaqafi, who was described by `Umar Ibn Abdul-Azeez : "If all nations were to weigh together their sins, and we came with Al-Hajjaaj only, the balance would sway to our part."
Al-Hajjaaj personally led his army to invade Makkah, Ibn Az-Zubayr's capital. He besieged it nearly six months, preventing the provision of water and food to force people to abandon Abdullaah. Under the severe pressure of hunger, a large number of fighters surrendered and 'Abdullaah found himself almost alone. Although chances to save his life and soul were still available, he decided to carry out his responsibilities to the very end. He went on fighting with legendary courage, although he was 70 years old at that time. We will only grasp the full image of that situation if we listen to the conversation which took place between 'Abdullaah and his mother, the great and noble Asmaa' bint Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with her, a short while before his death.
He went to her presenting the whole situation and what seemed to be his destiny.
Asmaa' told him, "My son, you know yourself better than anyone else. If you know that you are adhering to the truth and calling to it, then be patient till you die for its sake and don't let the boys of Bani Umayyah reach your neck. But if life in this world has been your main concern, then you're a wretched son, destroying yourself and those killed on your side."
'Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "By Allah, mother, I've never sought life in this world, nor did I submit myself to it. I've never ruled with injustice, treated anyone unfairly, or betrayed anyone."
His mother Asmaa', may Allah be pleased with her, said, "I hope I will receive good consolation if you precede me to Paradise or I precede you. May Allah have mercy for your long prayers at night, your fasting during hot days and your reverent treatment of me and your father. Allah, I've handed over my son to Your fate; I will be pleased with Your destiny. Reward me for sacrificing my son as You reward thankful and patient believers."
They embraced each other and exchanged a farewell look. After one hour of fierce, unparalleled battle, the martyr received a deadly stroke. Al-Hajjaaj, cruel, cunning, and deceiving as he was, insisted on crucifying the lifeless body.
'Abdullah's mother, who was on that day 97 years old, went to see her crucified son. Like a high towering mountain, his mother stood in front of him when Al-Hajjaaj approached with shame and humiliation and said, "O Mother, the Commander of the Faithful `Abdul-Maalik Ibn Marwaan has recommended me to treat you well. Do you need anything?"
She shouted, "I'm not your mother. I'm the mother of that one crucified on the cross. I don't need you. But I'm going to tell you a Hadeeth which I heard from the Prophet . He said, "He will emerge from Thaqeef, a liar and a vicious one." We have already seen the liar and the vicious one. I don't think he's anyone else but you." 'Abdullaah Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, approached to console her and asked Allah to grant her patience. She replied, "What hinders me from being patient? Wasn't the head of Yahyaa (John) Ibn Zakariyaa granted to an Israelite harlot?"
How great she was, daughter of As-Siddeeq!. Are there more eloquent words to be directed at those who cut `Abdullaah's head off his body before crucifying him?
If `Abdullaah's head had been handed over as a present to Al-Hajjaaj and `Abdul-Maalik, the head of a great Prophet, Yahyaa Ibn Zakariyyaa, may Allah exalt his mention, had been granted to Salome, a miserable Israelite harlot. What a magnificent comparison! What truthful words!
Having suckled the milk of such an extraordinary mother, could 'Abdullaah possibly have lived a different life, a life not reaching such great levels of success, virtue, and heroism?
May peace be upon `Abdullaah. May peace be upon Asmaa'. May peace be upon them among the eternally living martyrs. May peace be upon them among the most reverent and pious.