Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from the servant of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Sayyiduna Ubaidullah bin Aslam (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say to Sayyiduna Ja'far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that you resemble me in physical appearance and in character.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), no man wore shoes, rode mounts, or used a turban who was more virtuous than Sayyiduna Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him); by this, he meant generosity and munificence.

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."

It is narrated from Khalid bin Sarah that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Ja'far told him: I wish you had seen me, Sayyiduna Qutham bin Abbas, and Sayyiduna Ubaidullah bin Abbas when we were children playing, and the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by us riding on his mount. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Lift him up and hand him to me," and he seated me in front of him on the mount. And regarding Qutham, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Lift him up to me as well," and he seated him behind himself. Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) loved Ubaidullah more than Qutham, but the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not feel any hesitation before his uncle in seating Qutham with himself and not seating Ubaidullah. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed his hand over my head three times, and each time he supplicated: "O Allah! Be the successor among the children of Ja'far." Khalid bin Sarah says: I asked Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Ja'far how Sayyiduna Qutham died. He informed me that he was martyred. I said: Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) know best what is good and virtuous. He said: Yes, indeed.

It is narrated from Sayyida Asma bint Umais (may Allah be pleased with her) that when Sayyiduna Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) and his companions had attained martyrdom, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) came to my house. I had put forty skins to be cleaned, the dough was kneaded, and I had bathed my children, oiled them, and made them very clean and tidy. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) came and said: "Bring Ja'far's sons to me." I brought them to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), he smelled them, and tears came to his eyes. I said: "O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for you, why are you weeping? Has any news reached you about Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) and his companions?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "Yes, they were martyred today." Hearing this, I stood up and screamed, women gathered around me, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) went to his house. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "O people! Do not be heedless of preparing food for the family of Ja'far, for they are afflicted by the shock of the martyrdom of their guardian."