Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from Abdullah bin Ja'far that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, sent out an army and appointed Zaid bin Harithah, may Allah be pleased with him, as their commander. He said, "If Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him, is martyred, then Ja'far bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, will be your commander. If he is also martyred, then Abdullah bin Rawahah, may Allah be pleased with him, will be your commander." The Muslims confronted the enemy. Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him, took up the flag and fought the enemy until he was martyred. After him, Ja'far, may Allah be pleased with him, took the flag and he too fought the enemy until he was martyred. After him, Abdullah bin Rawahah, may Allah be pleased with him, took the flag and he too attained martyrdom while fighting the enemy. After them, Khalid bin Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, took the flag, and Allah granted victory at his hands. News of this reached the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He came out to the people and after praising and glorifying Allah, he said, "Your brothers confronted the enemy. First, Zaid took up the flag and fought until he was martyred. After him, Ja'far bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, took up the flag and he too fought until he was martyred. After him, Abdullah bin Rawahah, may Allah be pleased with him, took up the flag and he too attained the rank of martyrdom while fighting. After them, one of Allah's swords, Khalid bin Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, took up the flag and Allah granted victory at his hands." The family of Ja'far waited for three days hoping that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would visit them. After the third day, he visited them and said, "Do not weep for my brother after today. Call my nephews to me." We were brought to him and we were very small, like chicks. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Call the barber." The barber was called and he shaved our heads. Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "This Muhammad resembles our uncle Abu Talib, and Abdullah resembles me in appearance and temperament." Then he took my hand, raised it, and said, "O Allah, make him a deputy among the family of Ja'far, and bless Abdullah in his trade." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made this supplication three times. Our mother came to him and expressed her grief that these children were now without support. He said, "Do you fear poverty or want for them? I am their guardian in this world and the Hereafter."