Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib

’Abû Tâlib went to the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and found him praying… On his right was ‘Alî Ibn ’Abî Tâlib, so he told his son Ja‘far: Stand close to your cousin and pray on his left… Ja‘far was ‘Alî’s brother, and ten years older than him… He had become a Muslim not long after ‘Alî… It was said that thirty men only had become Muslims before him…

When the non-believers’ torture to the men who had become Muslim became excessive, the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, gave the able and wealthy men of them permission to immigrate to Ethiopia, where there was a just king who was never unfair to anyone… Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib immigrated to Ethiopia with the men who immigrated… The king there An-Najâshî[1] was very kind and generous to them…

Quraish was furious because of these men who fled to Ethiopia to protect their religion, and were living peacefully under the protection of this just king who was a Christian and was faithful to his religion… So, the chiefs of Quraish decided to send a delegation led by ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs to bring back those men who had left their religion and revolted and disobeyed their fathers…

The delegation arrived to Ethiopia carrying many valuable gifts for An-Najâshî.. ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs the tactful speaker spoke on their behalf, accusing the immigrants of being disobedient, exaggerating in explaining the grief of the families and people of the immigrants back home for their children who were believed to be deceived and misled by a new religion…

The king refused to accept ‘Amr’s request to take the immigrants back until he heard from the immigrants themselves… For falsehood would not overcome justice… The immigrants spoke.. They explained to An-Najâshî how they were living in the Jâhiliâ (Pre-Islamic time) in treachery, invasion, mistreatment to mother, burial of baby girls, abusing neighbours’ rights, and worshipping idols… While on the other hand, Islam orders them to honesty, to keeping good relations with family and kin, chastity, being kind to parents and neighbours, and worshipping the One and Only God.. On hearing these words, An-Najâshî was touched noticing the unity in all religions, and how they were all based on good manners… This effect showed clearly on his face…

When ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs noticed that, he thought of a wicked plan to make An-Najâshî angry… He told him: O king, they say what is seriously bad about ‘Îsâ Ibn Maryam, (Jesus), they claim that he is a slave…

The wicked plan worked and An-Najâshî was very angry… He turned to Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib who was a representative to the immigrants, asking him what saying did they have about ‘Îsâ Ibn Maryam (Jesus)… Ja‘far said: We say about him what our Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, was told about him by Allah. He read by his deep faithful voice the Sûrah from the Qur’ân (Maryam, “Mary”)… On hearing that, An-Najâshî cried; his tears covered his face… He then pointed with his stick on the ground as if drawing a line and said: There is no difference between Islam and Christianity except that fine line, for by Allah these words and Jesus’ words come from one niche (source)… He ordered that the gifts of Quraish delegation be returned to them, and he refused to accept them… He also ordered that the Muslims’ immigrants who travelled to his country be well treated and taken care of… ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs and his companions were disappointed and they returned to Makkah… The immigrants lived peacefully and safely under the ruling of that just king…

As the days pass by, matters are settled in Al Madînah Al Munawwarah after the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, immigrated there… Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib immigrates to Al- Madînah to join with the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and his companions… It is the same day when he arrives that the Muslims open Khaibar… When he arrives there, the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, is very happy when he sees him… He, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, hugs him and kisses him between his eyes and says: “I do not know whether I’m happier for Ja‘far’s arrival more, or for the opening of Khaibar more”[2]..

Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib stays close to the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and accompanies him in all of his battles… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, praises him saying: “As for you Ja‘far, you resemble me in appearance and character, and you are from my own strain”[3]… The poor immigrants surround Ja‘far and cling to him, for his kindness towards them, and their sharing with him his food (be it little or much)… This made the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, call him “The father of the poor”[4].

In the battle of Mu’tah (in the land of Shâ’m), Allah’s Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, orders Zaid Ibn Hârithah to lead the army and says: “If Zaid is killed, then the leader is Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib, if Ja‘far is killed, then the leader is ‘Abdullah Ibn Rawâhah”[5]… The army goes out to the battle in the eighth year of Hijrah to fight Ar-Rûm (Romans) in a place named Mu’tah near Shâ’m… It is a very fierce battle… Zaid Ibn Hârithah is killed and the banner almost falls off his hand, Ja‘far quickly takes hold of it… He courageously leads the lines of the army riding on his fair horse, and discloses terror to the enemies who want to get him at any cost… He slaughters his horse and fights the enemy on his feet… By that, he means to tell the enemy that there is no way out, no escape no retreat… For he had slaughtered his horse which could help him to escape, therefore he is either a winner or he will be killed… He was the first man in Islam to slaughter his horse… He became an example of courage to the men who do not fear death in the Cause of Allah…

The soldiers of the enemy gather around him… The army was two hundred thousand fighters… They cut off his hand that held the banner… He quickly holds it with his other hand so they cut his other hand off also… He embraces the banner by his upper arm so it would not fall on the ground… Before he gets the fatal blow, he gives the banner to ‘Abdullah Ibn Rawâhah… And found over seventy wounds over his body, caused by stabs or shots (of arrows)…

Jibrîl informs the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, that the three leaders have been killed, and that Khâlid Ibn Al Walîd has taken over, and that the Muslim army has won the battle… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, rushes to Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib’s house and asks to see his children… ’Asmâ’ Bint ‘Umays (Ja‘far’s wife) brings him the children after she washed, bathed, and perfumed them… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, started kissing and smelling them while his tears were falling down… ’Asmâ’ asks him: Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah’s Prophet,… Have you heard anything about Ja‘far and his friends?!… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, says: “Yes, they have been hurt today”..

He, Allah Prayers and Peace be upon him, speaks about Ja‘far saying: “By Allah, Allah has given him two wings to fly with in Paradise instead of his arms”[6].. ’Asmâ’ breaks out crying, while Fâtimah -The Prophet’s, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, daughter- comes in screaming and saying: O My uncle… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, says: “For men like Ja‘far, let the weeping ones weep”[7]… He, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, goes out to his companions while he is still weeping and says: “O my brothers, my intimate companions, the men I enjoyed talking to!!” … He, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, then returns home and tells his women: “Prepare for Ja‘far’s family some food… For they have what is keeping them busy”[8]…

It is since then, that making food for the deceased person’s family is from the Sunnah, for the family is in grief, and has no time for that.. It was true what ’Abû Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, says: No shoes have been worn, nor animals have been ridden by a man (After the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him,) better than Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib.

[1] An-Najâshî: (Title for the) king of Ethiopia (Abyssinia) Negus.

[2] Zad Al-Maad.

[3] As Al Bukhâri and At-Tirmidhi narrated that Al Baraâ’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said.

[4] As At Tirmidhi narrated that ’Abû Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said.

[5] As Ibn Heshâm narrated that Urwah Ibn Az-Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them) said.

[6] Al-Estiaab.

[7] Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbâs (may Allah be pleased with them).

[8] As At Tirmidhi narrated that ‘Abdullah Ibn Ja‘far (may Allah be pleased with them) said.

	You Resemble Me Both In Appearance And Character Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib May Allah be pleased with him
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	’Abû Tâlib went to the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and found him praying… On his right was ‘Alî Ibn ’Abî Tâlib, so he told his son Ja‘far: Stand close to your cousin and pray on his left… Ja‘far was ‘Alî’s brother, and ten years older than him… He had become a Muslim not long after ‘Alî… It was said that thirty men only had become Muslims before him… When the non-believers’ torture to the men who had become Muslim became excessive, the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, gave the able and wealthy men of them permission to immigrate to Ethiopia, where there was a just king who was never unfair to anyone… Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib immigrated to Ethiopia with the men who immigrated… The king there An-Najâshî[1] was very kind and generous to them… Quraish was furious because of these men who fled to Ethiopia to protect their religion, and were living peacefully under the protection of this just king who was a Christian and was faithful to his religion… So, the chiefs of Quraish decided to send a delegation led by ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs to bring back those men who had left their religion and revolted and disobeyed their fathers… The delegation arrived to Ethiopia carrying many valuable gifts for An-Najâshî.. ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs the tactful speaker spoke on their behalf, accusing the immigrants of being disobedient, exaggerating in explaining the grief of the families and people of the immigrants back home for their children who were believed to be deceived and misled by a new religion… The king refused to accept ‘Amr’s request to take the immigrants back until he heard from the immigrants themselves… For falsehood would not overcome justice… The immigrants spoke.. They explained to An-Najâshî how they were living in the Jâhiliâ (Pre-Islamic time) in treachery, invasion, mistreatment to mother, burial of baby girls, abusing neighbours’ rights, and worshipping idols… While on the other hand, Islam orders them to honesty, to keeping good relations with family and kin, chastity, being kind to parents and neighbours, and worshipping the One and Only God.. On hearing these words, An-Najâshî was touched noticing the unity in all religions, and how they were all based on good manners… This effect showed clearly on his face… When ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs noticed that, he thought of a wicked plan to make An-Najâshî angry… He told him: O king, they say what is seriously bad about ‘Îsâ Ibn Maryam, (Jesus), they claim that he is a slave… The wicked plan worked and An-Najâshî was very angry… He turned to Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib who was a representative to the immigrants, asking him what saying did they have about ‘Îsâ Ibn Maryam (Jesus)… Ja‘far said: We say about him what our Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, was told about him by Allah. He read by his deep faithful voice the Sûrah from the Qur’ân (Maryam, “Mary”)… On hearing that, An-Najâshî cried; his tears covered his face… He then pointed with his stick on the ground as if drawing a line and said: There is no difference between Islam and Christianity except that fine line, for by Allah these words and Jesus’ words come from one niche (source)… He ordered that the gifts of Quraish delegation be returned to them, and he refused to accept them… He also ordered that the Muslims’ immigrants who travelled to his country be well treated and taken care of… ‘Amr Ibn Al ‘Âs and his companions were disappointed and they returned to Makkah… The immigrants lived peacefully and safely under the ruling of that just king… As the days pass by, matters are settled in Al Madînah Al Munawwarah after the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, immigrated there… Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib immigrates to Al- Madînah to join with the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and his companions… It is the same day when he arrives that the Muslims open Khaibar… When he arrives there, the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, is very happy when he sees him… He, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, hugs him and kisses him between his eyes and says: “I do not know whether I’m happier for Ja‘far’s arrival more, or for the opening of Khaibar more”[2].. Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib stays close to the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and accompanies him in all of his battles… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, praises him saying: “As for you Ja‘far, you resemble me in appearance and character, and you are from my own strain”[3]… The poor immigrants surround Ja‘far and cling to him, for his kindness towards them, and their sharing with him his food (be it little or much)… This made the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, call him “The father of the poor”[4]. In the battle of Mu’tah (in the land of Shâ’m), Allah’s Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, orders Zaid Ibn Hârithah to lead the army and says: “If Zaid is killed, then the leader is Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib, if Ja‘far is killed, then the leader is ‘Abdullah Ibn Rawâhah”[5]… The army goes out to the battle in the eighth year of Hijrah to fight Ar-Rûm (Romans) in a place named Mu’tah near Shâ’m… It is a very fierce battle… Zaid Ibn Hârithah is killed and the banner almost falls off his hand, Ja‘far quickly takes hold of it… He courageously leads the lines of the army riding on his fair horse, and discloses terror to the enemies who want to get him at any cost… He slaughters his horse and fights the enemy on his feet… By that, he means to tell the enemy that there is no way out, no escape no retreat… For he had slaughtered his horse which could help him to escape, therefore he is either a winner or he will be killed… He was the first man in Islam to slaughter his horse… He became an example of courage to the men who do not fear death in the Cause of Allah… The soldiers of the enemy gather around him… The army was two hundred thousand fighters… They cut off his hand that held the banner… He quickly holds it with his other hand so they cut his other hand off also… He embraces the banner by his upper arm so it would not fall on the ground… Before he gets the fatal blow, he gives the banner to ‘Abdullah Ibn Rawâhah… And found over seventy wounds over his body, caused by stabs or shots (of arrows)… Jibrîl informs the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, that the three leaders have been killed, and that Khâlid Ibn Al Walîd has taken over, and that the Muslim army has won the battle… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, rushes to Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib’s house and asks to see his children… ’Asmâ’ Bint ‘Umays (Ja‘far’s wife) brings him the children after she washed, bathed, and perfumed them… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, started kissing and smelling them while his tears were falling down… ’Asmâ’ asks him: Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah’s Prophet,… Have you heard anything about Ja‘far and his friends?!… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, says: “Yes, they have been hurt today”.. He, Allah Prayers and Peace be upon him, speaks about Ja‘far saying: “By Allah, Allah* has given him two wings to fly with in Paradise instead of his arms”[6].. ’Asmâ’ breaks out crying, while Fâtimah -The Prophet’s, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, daughter- comes in screaming and saying: O My uncle… The Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, says: “For men like Ja‘far, let the weeping ones weep”[7]… He, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, goes out to his companions while he is still weeping and says: “O my brothers, my intimate companions, the men I enjoyed talking to!!”* … He, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, then returns home and tells his women: “Prepare for Ja‘far’s family some food… For they have what is keeping them busy”[8]… It is since then, that making food for the deceased person’s family is from the Sunnah, for the family is in grief, and has no time for that.. It was true what ’Abû Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, says: No shoes have been worn, nor animals have been ridden by a man (After the Prophet, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him,) better than Ja‘far Ibn ’Abî Tâlib. Back To Main Page Back To Amongst The Prophet’s Companions [1] An-Najâshî: (Title for the) king of Ethiopia (Abyssinia) Negus. [2] Zad Al-Maad. [3] As Al Bukhâri and At-Tirmidhi narrated that Al Baraâ’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said. [4] As At Tirmidhi narrated that ’Abû Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said. [5] As Ibn Heshâm narrated that Urwah Ibn Az-Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them) said. [6] Al-Estiaab. [7] Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbâs (may Allah be pleased with them). [8] As At Tirmidhi narrated that ‘Abdullah Ibn Ja‘far (may Allah be pleased with them) said.

May Allah be pleased with him