At the Door of 'Uthman

As a young man 'Abdullah went with the army to Ifriqiyah (North Africa) in 27 AH, and it was he who was sent back to Madinah to bring the news of victory to 'Uthman. Reports credit him with courage in that campaign, including in the fight against the Byzantine commander.

When rebels besieged 'Uthman in his house in Madinah, 'Abdullah was among the sons of the Companions who stood at his door to guard him, with al-Hasan and al-Husayn and others. 'Uthman told them to put down their arms and not to shed blood for his sake. He was killed in 35 AH.

The next year came the Battle of the Camel. 'Abdullah went out with his father al-Zubayr and his aunt 'A'ishah, who had gone to seek the punishment of 'Uthman's killers and to restore order. He fought and was wounded severely, and his father was killed after leaving the field. Sunni scholars hold that 'Ali was nearer the truth in that dispute while seeing the others as sincere interpreters, and we restrain our tongues about what passed between them.