I calculated the debt that remained upon him and found it to be 2,200,000.
Not long after, Ḥakīm ibn Ḥizām met me and asked, “Nephew, how much does my brother owe?” I concealed the true figure and replied, “One hundred thousand.” Ḥakīm said, “By Allah, I do not think your family’s assets can cover even that.” I answered, “What would you say if the debt were 2,200,000?” He replied, “I do not see how you could manage such an amount, but if you fall short in paying any part of it, call on me for help.”
Al-Zubayr had purchased the estate of al-Ghābah for 170,000, and I sold it for 1,600,000. Then I announced, “Let anyone who has a claim against al-Zubayr meet us at al-Ghābah.” ʿAbd Allah ibn Jaʿfar came; he was owed 400,000. He said to me, “If you wish, I will waive it.” I refused. He said, “Then, if you like, defer it along with whatever debts you postpone.” I again refused. He said, “Then give me a tract of land.” I said, “From here to there is yours.” I sold part of the estate, settled his entire claim, and paid it in full. What remained of al-Ghābah was four and a half shares.
Later I went to Muʿāwiyah while ʿAmr ibn ʿUthmān, al-Mundhir ibn al-Zubayr, and Ibn Zumʿa were present. Muʿāwiyah asked, “At what price have you valued al-Ghābah?” I replied, “Each share is one hundred thousand.” He asked, “How much is left?” I said, “Four shares and a half.” Al-Mundhir said, “I have taken one share for one hundred thousand.” ʿAmr ibn ʿUthmān said, “I have taken one share for one hundred thousand.” Ibn Zumʿa said, “I too have taken a share for one hundred thousand.” Muʿāwiyah then asked, “How much is still left?” I answered, “One and a half shares.” He said, “I will take them for one hundred fifty thousand.”
ʿAbd Allah ibn Jaʿfar later sold his portion to Muʿāwiyah for 600,000. Once I had finished paying all the debts, the sons of al-Zubayr said, “Distribute our inheritance among us.” I replied, “By Allah, I will not divide it until I have announced at the pilgrimage season for four consecutive years: ‘Whoever has a claim against al-Zubayr, let him come to us so that we may settle it.’” So each year at the ḥajj I made that proclamation. After four years had passed, I distributed the estate and delivered the one-third that had been set aside.
Al-Zubayr had four wives; each wife received 1,200,000, making the total value of his estate 50,200,000.
Narrated by al-Bukhārī.