(Arabic: عبد الله بن جعفر) (died
680) was a companion and relative of Rasulullah ﷺ and a
nephew of Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib the 4th guided Caliphate.
Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was the son
of Sayidina Jaafar ibn Abu Talib RA and Asma bint Umais RA. They had immigrated
to Abyssinia in 616, and Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA and his two brothers were born
there. Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA accompanied his father, Sayidina Jaafar ibn Abu
Talib RA (probably the rest of the family) and Sayidina Saad ibn Abi Waqas RA
in overseas preaching in north-east India, including Manipur, and China, after
leaving Abyssinia in 615 by sea. They later returned to Abyssinia by 624.
The family returned to Makkah in 628 and settled in Madinah. Ibn Hajar Asqalani quoted Rasulullah ﷺ as having said that Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was like him in character, then taking him by the right hand and praying to Allah Almighty to extend his mercy over the household of Abdullah bin Jaafar RA.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA had
particularly wished that his daughters should marry Jaafar's sons. When Abdullah
ibn Jaafar RA asked for Zainab's hand, Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA accepted
it. Her marriage settlement was equal to her mother's.
Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA and Zainab
Binti Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA had five children.
1. Ali ibn
Abdullah.
2. Awn ibn
Abdullah.
3. Abbas ibn
Abdullah.
4. Muhammad
ibn Abdullah.
5. Umm Kulthum
bint Abdullah.
Abdullah Bin Jaafar-At-Tayyar RA was
one of the richest people in Madinah and a famous philanthropist who was called
as “Bahrul Joud” which means an ocean of charity.
When Saiyidna Ali Ibn Abu Talib RA became
the Caliph in 656 and moved from Madinah to Kufa, Zainab and Abdullah joined
him.
Although Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was
a man of means, Zainab binti Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA lived a modest life.
They were charitable to the poor; the Arabs called Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA
"the sea or the cloud of munificence".
The marriage of, Zainab binti
Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA did not diminish her strong attachment to her
family. Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA also felt a great affection for his
daughter and nephew. Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA told Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA
not to prevent Zainab from going on a journey with her brother Sayidina Husain
Ibn Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA. When Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA became
the Caliph in 656 and moved from Madinah to Kufa, Zainab and Abdullah joined
him.
Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was
concurrently married to Layla bint Masud RA.
After Zainab's death, Abdullah ibn
Jaafar RA married her sister, Umm Kulthum bint Sayidina Ali ibn Abi Talib RA,
who was the widow of his brother Muhammad Ibn Abdullah RA. This marriage was
childless, and Umm Kulthum RA also predeceased Abdullah.
Muslim historians have noted Abdullah
ibn Jaafar RA status before Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA as a military leader.
During Sayidina Ali's caliphate in Kufa, Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was one of his
four chief lieutenants (the other three being Ali's three eldest sons).
When Sayidina Husain Ibn Sayidina
Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA received a request from the men of Kufa to come and lead
them, Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA urged him not to go unless the Kufans first
overthrew their Umayyad magistrates. When Sayidina Husain Ibn Sayidina Ali Ibn
Abi Talib RA nevertheless left on the expedition that ended with Karbala, Abdullah
Ibn Jaafar RA sent his young sons Sayidina Awn RA and Sayidina Muhammad RA with
his wife, Sayidina Husain Ibn Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA sister Zainab.
Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was loyal to
Ahl al-Bayt in spite of his absence at the Battle of Karbala. Abdullah ibn
Jaafar RA is reported to have said: ”Thanks to God Almighty, I could not
support al-Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala, but my two sons (’Awn and Muhammad). He is
widely recognized as the most sympathetic amongst Arabs. His grave is situated
near Aqeel ibn Abi Talib and Abu Sufian bin al-Harith (the grandson of Abd
al-Muttalib) in Jannatul Baqi.
Rasulullah ﷺ 's Supplication & instruction
 |
| Tomb of Abdullah Ibn Jaafar RA in Damascus, Syria |
According to Sheikh Muhammad Abbas
Qummi, Abdullah Ibn Jaafar RA had 20 sons from different wives, including 5
children from Zainab Binti Sayidina Ali RA.
Abdullah Bin Jaafar ibn Tayar RA was
one of the richest people in Madinah and a famous philanthropist who was called
as “Bahrul Joud” which means an ocean of charity.
When Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA became
the Caliph in 656 and moved from Madinah to Kufa, Zainab Binti Sayidina Ali RA
and Abdullah Ibn Sayidina Jaafar RA joined him.
Abdullah Ibn Sayidina Jaafar RA
wife’s journey with Sayidina Hussein Ibn Ali RA
It is related that Zainab Binti
Sayidina Ali RA already forecasts the journey (journey to Karbala) before her
marriage and permission for accompanying her brother was obtained during
marriage negotiations. With regard to Absent of Abdullah Ibn Sayidina Jaafar RA
in the battle of Karbala, it is said it was due to his poor eye sighting
consequently he was unable to bear the rigidities of journey and war. Knowing
Hussein’s journey to Kufa, Zainab, the wife of Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA begged
her husband’s permission to accompany her brother. Realizing the anxiousness of her
husband she stated that:
You know that for 55 years my
brother and I have never been separated. Now is the time of our old age and the
closing period of our lives. If I leave him now, how shall I be able to face my
mother, who at the time of her death had willed, “Zainab” after me you are both
mother and sister for Hussein? It is obligatory for me to stay with you, but if
I do not go with him at this time, I shall not be able to bear the separation.
Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA then granted
his permission and sent their two sons for the destined journey.
Abdullah was concurrently married
to Layla bint Masud.
With regard to Abdullah ibn Jaafar
RA presence in the Battle of Camel, it is indicated that at the end of Battle,
while entrusting save return of mother of Believers (Saiyidah Aisyah Binti Sayidina Abu Bakar RA)
to Madinah
under the security of her brother Muhammad Bin Abi Bakar RA, Saiyidna Ali RA ordered
for payment of 12,000/- Dirhams to Saiyidah Aisyah Binti Abi Bakar RA. Abdullah
ibn Jaafar RA thinking that amount as too little brought out a huge sum for
Saidah Aisyah Binti Abi Bakar RA, the wife of Rasulullah ﷺ and mother of all believers. According to Ahmad ibn A'tham RA
in the battle of Siffin, Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was commanding the infantry in the
army of Sayidina Ali bin Abi Talib RA together with his cousin Muslim bin
Aqeel, Muhammad bin Hanifa, and stepbrother Muhammad bin Abi Bakar.
Politics:
Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA was a staunch supporter of his uncle Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA (the guided Caliphate) in the Civil War but later disdained from politics. Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA maintained a reputation for liberality and patronage in Madinah, earning him the nickname “The Ocean of Generosity”. After the demised of Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA, Abdullah ibn Jaafar RA together with his cousins Sayidina Hassan RA and Sayidina Hussein RA participated in washing the body and shrouded him for burial in three robes without (a long shirt).
In addition to some spy reporting to Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA that Qays bin Sad bin Ubadah RA, his governor at Egypt had given allegiance to Sayidina Muawiya RA, he received his letter which was written in the perspective of affairs emerged on account of a conspiracy caused by the opponent of Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA. Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA called his sons and Abdullah bin Jaafar RA and consulted the matter. Upon the advice of Abdullah bin Jaafar RA , Sayidina Ali ibn Abi Talib RA wrote a letter ordering Qays bin Sad RA to seek the people to give their allegiance as the Muslims have done (after the 3rd Caliph). But, if they do not, then fight them. The governor of Egypt against this communication wrote a letter to Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA. Then Abdullah Bin Jaafar RA requested his father in law to replace Qays bin Sad bin Ubadah RA with Muhammad Bin Abi Bakar RA as governor of Egypt and pleaded that if he really has gone over to Sayidina Muawiya RA, he will refuse to give up Egypt. However, according to Tabari it was a poor advice consequent to meeting of Qays bin Sad RA with Sayidina Ali RA (4th guided Caliphate) during the period of killing of Muhammad bin Abi Bakar RA.
Once a Chief of village in Shams asked
Abdullah Bin Jaafar RA to recommend his case before Caliph Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi
Talib RA for accomplishment. He did so and matter of that chief was satisfied
by Caliph Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA. As a gratification the chief sent
40,000 Dirhams through some people to Abdullah Bin Jaafar RA, who refused the
money saying that we do not sell our good deeds.
His vision for Saiyidina Hussain ibn Saiyidina Ali (4th Caliphate)
Knowing the death of his two sons in
the battle of Karbala, people were offering condolences to Abdullah Bin Jaafar
RA, one of his Mawla (Abu al-Lislas [a companion]) said that “this is what we
have met and what has come upon us through Sayidina Hussein Ibn Ali RA” on this
statement he struck him with his sandal and told that I am pleased that my two
sons killed with my brother and cousin. By Allah! If I had been present with
him, I would have preferred not to leave him in order that I would be killed
with him. Abdullah Bin Jaafar RA then seeking attention of people consoling
him, said that “Praise be to Allah, Who has made life hard, console Sayidina Hussein
Ibn Ali RA with my own hands, my two sons consoled him.
Letter to Sayidina Hussein Ibn Ali
RA.
According to Ibn Khaldun in chapter
2 volume II title “Yazid-I” from 60 to 64 AH, it is described that Abdullah Bin
Jaafar RA sent a letter through his sons Awn & Muhammad, to Sayidina Hussein
RA, requesting that “for Allah sake come back. It is my advice to you in
anxiety that you would be killed and Ahle-Bayt destroyed. As a result, earth’s
light will come to an end; there would be no leader for Muslims. Please do not
hurry in journey; I would be reaching there after this letter." Later Abdullah
Bin Jaafar RA went to Sayidina Amr bin Said RA who was Yazid's governor of
Makkah and asked him to write a letter to Sayidina Hussein RA offering him a
guarantee of harmless behavior assuring him kindness and open-handedness.
"Show trust to him in your letter and request him to return." This
letter was replied by Sayidina Hussein Ibn Ali RA too.
Sayidina Abdullah bin Jaafar at-Tayyār RA was the son of the generous sahabat Sayidina Jaafar Ibn Abu Talib RA ( At-Tayyar) . His tomb is placed next to Sayidina Bilal bin Rabah RA and the tomb of his mother Saiyidah Asma is about 10 meters from his. Sayidina Abdullah bin Jaafar at-Tayyār RA married with his cousin Saiyidah Zainab RA, daughter of Khalifah Sayidina Ali RA.
In this entry, however, I share you
the story of his great father, Sayidina Jaafar Ibn Abu Talib RA (At-Tayyar) whose
tomb is placed at Mu’tah Jordan. Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA was the son of
Abu Talib ibn 'Abdul Muttalib (Cousin of Rasulullah ﷺ), and the elder brother of the fourth Khalīfah, Saiyidna Ali
ibn Abi Talib karammallah hu wajhah. He was raised by his uncle, Abbas ibn
'Abdul Muttalib, for his father was a poor man and had to support a big family.
Sayidina Jaafar Ibn Abu Talib RA
(At-Tayyar) and his wife Saiyidah Asma Binti Umays RA spent about ten years in
Ethiopia, which became a second home for them. They were granted by Allah swt
three children whom they named Abdullah, Muhammad and Awn. In the seventh year
of the Hijrah, they left Abyssinia with a group of Muslims and headed for
Madinah.
On their arrival at Madinah, Rasulullah
ﷺ was returning from the Battle of
Khaybar and on seeing Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA he was very happy and said,
"I don't know which event is more cheerful – Jaafar’s coming or the
Conquest of Khaybar!"
the Hijrah, Rasulullah ﷺ mobilized an army to confront Byzantine forces in Syria,
because a Byzantine governor had treacherously killed one of his emissaries, Sayidina
Harith bin Umays al-Azadi RA. He appointed Zaid ibn Harithah RA as commander of
the army and gave the following instructions: "If Zaid is wounded or
killed, Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA would take over the command. If Sayidina
Jaafar at-Tayyar RA is syahid or wounded, then your commander would be Abdullah
ibn Rawahah RA. If Abdullah ibn Rawahah RA is syahid, then let the Muslims
choose for themselves a commander."
Albeit all the hardship they faced,
the Muslim army battled the Byzantines. Zaid ibn Harithah RA, the beloved
companion of Rasulullah ﷺ, was among the first
Muslims who was killed in the battle. Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA then assumed
command. Mounted on his horse, he penetrated deep into the Byzantine ranks. As
he spurred his horse on, he called out: "How wonderful is Paradise as it
draws near! How pleasant and cool is its drink! Punishment for the Byzantines
is not far away!" Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA continued to fight
vigorously but was eventually slain.
In the battle of Mu'tah, Sayidina
Jaafar at-Tayyar RA carried the Banner of Islam and was out-numbered by the
enemies and killed. The two arms of one of Rasulullah ﷺ bravest followers and his army's standard-bearer, Sayidina
Jaafar at-Tayyar RA were cut off in the battle and he was martyred. When the
news reached Rasulullah ﷺ saw he cried and prayed for
Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA 's soul and the angel Jibrail a.s. came down and
consoled him and said " Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar RA was a brave and loyal
soldier. Allah swt has given him everlasting life, and in place of his arms
which were cut off in the battle, Allah swt has given and replaced it with a
pair of wings".
The pain and grief he felt was
intense. Rasulullah ﷺ went to Sayidina Jaafar at-Tayyar's
house and met his wife Asma. She was somehow prepared to receive her absent
husband. Asma said: "When the Rasulullah ﷺ approached
us, I saw a veil of sadness shrouding his noble face and I became very
apprehensive. But I did not dare to ask him about Jaafar for fear that I would
hear some unpleasant news. Rasulullah ﷺ greeted
and asked, “Where are Jaafar’s children?” I called them for him and they came
and crowded around him happily, each one wanting to claim him for himself. He
leaned over and hugged them while tears flowed from his eyes.
“O Messenger of Allah”, I asked,
“Why do you cry?” “Have you heard anything about Jaafar and his two
companions?” I continued. “Yes,” he replied and continued; “They have attained
martyrdom”. The smiles and the laughter vanished from the faces of the little
children when they heard their mother crying and wailing.
With reference to books ‘Nasab e Quraish Page-83’ and ‘Jameerath ul Nasab by Ibn Hazm page 62’ it is described that Layla Binte Masood bin Khalid was “Zoja-e-Sani (second wife)” through this marriage he had two daughters (Umme Muhammad and Umme Abhiha) and four sons (Yahya, Haroon, Suleh & Musa).
Daira-e-Maarif Islamia (Circle of Islamic Knowledge) of University of Punjab (pages 568-70, Vol.X) describes that Zainab is a progeny of Abdullah’s son Ali through Zainab binte Ali.
