Abdullah ibn Jafar

Abdullah ibn Jafar:

Story of Abdullah ibn Jafar is one of the most inspiring stories among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Abdullah's father was Jafar ibn abi Talib. Therefore, his father was the cousin of prophet Mohammad. Jafar was born in Makkah. When the prophet received the first revelation, Jafar embraced Islam. Therefore Jafar was a pioneer in Islam. Abdullah's Muslim mother was a pioneer woman in Islam too. Prophet Mohammad allowed his followers to migrate to Abyssinia. There, the king was fair and kind. Hence, some Muslims went to the country to maintain their faith. This was the first migration in Islam. Among the migrants was Jafar and his wife Asmaa. Also, there were Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayya bint prophet Mohammad.

The odds of traveling:

Story of Abdullah ibn Jafar is one of the most inspiring stories among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Muslim migrants, including Jafar, migrated off the beaten track. They suffered a lot during their migration to Abyssinia. They withstood all these hardships for the sake of Allah, Islam and prophet Mohammad. When they sailed, there were two trading ships which carried them for half a dinar for each passenger. This was in Rajab, the fifth year after the first revelation. Strangely, the Makkan elite chased the migrants in an attempt to restore them. However, Allah saved the migrants who had sailed before the arrival of Quraysh. Finally, they arrived safely in Abyssinia. They comfortably settled in the country.

A new born baby in Abyssinia:

Story of Abdullah ibn Jafar is one of the most inspiring stories among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Quraish sent gifts to the courtsmen. They asked the king to hand them the rebels over. However, the king refused to do so before he listened to the Muslims. Jafar went to the king and explained his faith. Jafar assured the Christian king that it was the same religion of Jesus Christ. After that, Jafar recited some verses of the holy Quran. He recited the first ayat of surah Maryam. When the king and the clergymen had heard it, they said it was the same source of the words of Christ and Mousa. Eventually, the king vowed to protect the Muslims in his country and granted them asylum.

The journey back to al-Madina:

Story of Abdullah ibn Jafar is one of the most inspiring stories among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Jafar and his wife were homesick. Abdullah had two other brothers in Abyssinia. They all hoped to see prophet Mohammad again. They knew that Quraish was defeated in a lot of battles. The accord of al-Hudaibia ended the armed struggle between Muslims and Quraish. Prophet Mohammad took the initiative, thanked the king and sent him a message to restore the migrants. The king answered the prophet’s request. He sent them on two ships after the conquest of Khaibar. The migrants amounted to seventy men and women. They covered the sea and landed close to al-Madina. They walked for one day and arrived home when prophet Mohammad was at Khaybar.

The Battle of Mu’tah: Courage and Sacrifice in the Path of Allah

Story of Abdullah ibn Jafar is one of the most inspiring stories among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Battle of Mu’tah began after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent a messenger to Busra who was killed, prompting him to dispatch an army of 3,000 soldiers led by Zaid ibn Haritha, followed by Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib and Abdullah ibn Rawaha. Despite facing a much larger force, the Muslims chose to fight bravely. Zaid, Ja‘far, and Abdullah were all martyred, with Ja‘far showing remarkable courage as he continued holding the flag even after both his arms were severed. When the Prophet ﷺ received the news, he was deeply saddened, especially by Ja‘far’s death. He comforted his family, made dua for them, and encouraged patience, even asking that food be prepared for Ja‘far’s household during their time of grief.

Abdullah ibn Jafar:

• From the story of Abdullah ibn Jafar, we learn important lessons about patience and character.

Ibn Jafar died after the year eighty H. It was called the year of Jihaf. A torrent flooded Makkah, drifting the pilgrims and the camels with their loads. This was in the caliphate of Abdulmalik ibn Marawan. Ibn Jafar was ninety years old then. The body of ibn Jafar was carried to al-Madina and buried there. The governor of al-Madina wept and mourned ibn Jafar. People followed his coffin till he was buried at al-Baqi’. Truly, Abdullah ibn Jafar ibn abi Talib was one of the children around prophet mohammad who were well brought up at the hands of prophet Mohammad himself.

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