WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:17.320 The Mawaddah Association is pleased 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:21.320 to present to you *Portraits from the Lives of the Companions* 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:24.320 by 'Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:26.350 may Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:27.350 --> 00:00:30.859 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, 00:00:31.859 --> 00:00:33.859 may Allah be pleased with him. 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:48.780 Among the Banu 'Abd Manaf were five men 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:53.780 who bore the strongest resemblance to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:59.780 so much so that those with weak eyesight would frequently mistake the Prophet for them. 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:08.939 No doubt you wish to know these five who resembled your Prophet, upon him be the best of blessings and purest of peace. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.000 So come, let us get to know them. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:20.000 They are Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet's cousin and foster brother; 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:26.159 Qutham ibn al-'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, also the Prophet's cousin; 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:33.159 al-Sa'ib ibn 'Ubayd ibn 'Abd Yazid ibn Hashim, the grandfather of Imam al-Shafi'i, may Allah be pleased with him; 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:38.159 al-Hasan ibn 'Ali, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:44.159 who bore the closest resemblance of all five to the Prophet, blessings and peace of Allah be upon him; 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:50.159 and Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, the brother of the Commander of the Faithful, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. 00:01:51.189 --> 00:01:54.189 So come, let us recount to you glimpses from the life of Ja'far. 00:01:54.189 --> 00:02:01.260 Despite his noble status in Quraysh and his high standing among his people, 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:04.260 Abu Talib was a man of modest means and had many children to support. 00:02:05.290 --> 00:02:11.289 His situation worsened considerably due to a severe drought that struck Quraysh, 00:02:12.289 --> 00:02:16.289 destroying livestock and compelling people to consume decaying bones. 00:02:17.289 --> 00:02:19.289 There was no one among Banu Hashim at that time 00:02:20.289 --> 00:02:23.289 of greater means than Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah and his uncle al-'Abbas. 00:02:24.289 --> 00:02:26.289 Muhammad said to al-'Abbas: 00:02:27.289 --> 00:02:30.289 "O uncle, your brother Abu Talib has a large family, 00:02:31.289 --> 00:02:36.289 and the people have been struck, as you see, by severe drought and gnawing hunger. 00:02:37.289 --> 00:02:40.289 Let us go to him and relieve him of some of his dependents; 00:02:41.289 --> 00:02:44.289 I shall take one of his sons and you take another, 00:02:44.289 --> 00:02:46.289 so we may provide for the two of them on his behalf." 00:02:47.289 --> 00:02:48.289 Al-'Abbas replied: 00:02:49.289 --> 00:02:51.289 "You have indeed called to good and urged toward righteousness." 00:02:52.289 --> 00:02:54.479 Then they went together until they came to Abu Talib, 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:56.479 and Muhammad said to him: 00:02:57.479 --> 00:03:00.479 "We wish to relieve you of some of the burden of your dependents 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:04.479 until this hardship afflicting the people is lifted." 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:06.479 Abu Talib said to them: 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:10.479 "If you leave 'Aqil with me, then do as you wish." 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:13.479 So Muhammad took 'Ali into his care, 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.479 and al-'Abbas took Ja'far and added him to his household. 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:23.479 'Ali remained with Muhammad until Allah sent him with the religion of guidance and truth, 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.479 becoming the first among the youth to believe. 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:29.479 Ja'far remained with his uncle al-'Abbas 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:32.479 until he grew up, embraced Islam, and became self-sufficient. 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:36.479 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib joined the caravan of light, 00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:40.479 along with his wife, Asma' bint 'Umays, from the very beginning of the journey. 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:44.539 They both embraced Islam at the hands of al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:47.539 before the Messenger entered the House of al-Arqam. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:53.539 The Hashimite youth and his young wife suffered at the hands of Quraysh's persecution and torment 00:03:54.539 --> 00:03:56.539 just as the early Muslims did. 00:03:57.539 --> 00:03:58.539 Yet they endured the harm patiently, 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:03.539 knowing well that the path to Paradise is strewn with thorns 00:04:04.539 --> 00:04:05.539 and surrounded by hardships. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:10.539 But what troubled them and their brothers in faith most of all 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:15.539 was that Quraysh stood between them and the practice of the rites of Islam, 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:19.540 depriving them of tasting the sweetness of worship. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:25.540 For Quraysh lay in wait for them at every turn, watching their every breath. 00:04:26.610 --> 00:04:32.610 Thereupon, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib asked permission of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:04:32.610 --> 00:04:37.610 to emigrate with his wife and a group of the Companions to the land of Abyssinia. 00:04:38.610 --> 00:04:40.610 He granted them permission, sorrowful and grieved, 00:04:41.610 --> 00:04:45.610 for it weighed heavily upon him that these pure, righteous souls were forced 00:04:46.610 --> 00:04:52.610 to leave their homes and depart from the playgrounds of their childhood and the dwellings of their youth, 00:04:53.610 --> 00:04:54.610 without having committed any crime 00:04:55.610 --> 00:04:57.610 other than saying, "Our Lord is Allah." 00:04:57.610 --> 00:05:03.639 Yet he possessed neither the force nor the means to protect them from the persecution of Quraysh. 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:08.670 The vanguard of the first emigrants set out for the land of Abyssinia, 00:05:09.670 --> 00:05:12.670 led by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:05:13.670 --> 00:05:17.670 They settled under the protection of the Negus, its just and righteous king, 00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:21.699 tasting security for the first time since embracing Islam, 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:27.699 and delighting in the sweetness of worship with nothing to disturb their devotion 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:30.699 or cloud the serenity of their happiness. 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:37.699 But no sooner did Quraysh learn of the departure of this group of Muslims to the land of Abyssinia, 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:42.699 and discover how they had obtained safety for their religion under the protection of its king 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:44.699 and security for their faith, 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:50.699 than they hastened to conspire against them, seeking to kill them or bring them back to the great prison. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:58.860 So let us leave the narrative to Umm Salamah, that she may recount the event as her eyes saw it and her ears heard it. 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:05.959 Umm Salamah said: "When we arrived in the land of Abyssinia, we found the finest hospitality; 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:12.959 we were secure in our religion and worshipped Allah, our Lord, without being harmed or hearing anything we disliked. 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:21.959 When this reached Quraysh, they plotted against us and dispatched to the Negus two formidable men: 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.959 'Amr ibn al-'As and 'Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi'ah. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:34.959 They sent with them many gifts for the Negus and his bishops, consisting of the finest rarities from the land of the Hijaz. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:42.959 They instructed them to give each bishop his gift before speaking to the King of Abyssinia regarding our affair. 00:06:43.990 --> 00:06:49.990 When they arrived in Abyssinia, they met the Negus's bishops and presented each with his gift. 00:06:50.990 --> 00:06:54.990 There was not a single bishop left to whom they did not give a present, saying to him: 00:06:54.990 --> 00:07:04.990 'Some foolish youths among us have arrived in the King's land; they have abandoned the religion of their forefathers and divided their people. 00:07:05.990 --> 00:07:12.990 When we speak to the King concerning them, advise him to surrender them to us without questioning them about their religion, 00:07:13.990 --> 00:07:17.990 for the nobles of their people know them best and understand what they believe.' 00:07:18.990 --> 00:07:20.990 The bishops agreed, saying, 'Yes.' 00:07:20.990 --> 00:07:23.060 Umm Salamah said: 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:31.060 'Nothing was more abhorrent to 'Amr and his companion than the prospect of the Negus summoning any of us to hear our words.' 00:07:32.089 --> 00:07:35.089 Then they came before the Negus and presented him with the gifts, 00:07:36.089 --> 00:07:38.089 which he found delightful and admired. 00:07:39.089 --> 00:07:40.089 Then they spoke to him, saying: 00:07:41.089 --> 00:07:46.089 'O King, a group of our wicked youths have sought refuge in your kingdom; 00:07:47.089 --> 00:07:50.089 they have introduced a religion known neither to us nor to you. 00:07:51.089 --> 00:07:54.089 They have abandoned our religion without embracing yours. 00:07:55.089 --> 00:08:00.089 The nobles of their people—their fathers, uncles, and kinsmen—have sent us to you 00:08:01.089 --> 00:08:05.089 so that you may return them to their folk, for they know best the discord these youths have caused.' 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:08.180 The Negus looked toward his bishops, 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:10.180 and the bishops said: 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:12.180 'They speak the truth, O King; 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:16.180 their people know them best and are fully aware of what they have done. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.180 So return them to them, that they may decide their fate.' 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:23.180 The King grew intensely angry at his bishops' words and said: 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:30.180 'No, by Allah! I shall not surrender them to anyone until I summon them and question them about what has been attributed to them. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:35.179 If they are as these two men say, I will hand them over to them; 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:42.179 but if they are otherwise, I shall protect them and grant them generous hospitality as long as they reside near me.' 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.220 Umm Salamah said: 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:47.220 'Then the Negus sent for us, summoning us to meet him. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:50.220 So we gathered before going to him, 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:52.220 and we said to one another: 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:55.220 "The King will surely ask you about your religion, 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:57.220 so proclaim openly what you believe, 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:00.220 and let Ja'far ibn Abi Talib speak on your behalf, 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:03.220 and let no one else speak."' 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:05.220 Umm Salamah said: 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:07.220 'Then we went to the Negus, 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:09.220 and we found that he had assembled his bishops, 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:12.220 who sat to his right and to his left, 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.220 donning their robes, 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.220 wearing their cowls, 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:19.220 with their scriptures laid out before them. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:21.220 We also found 'Amr ibn al-'As 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.220 and 'Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi'ah in his presence. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.220 When we were seated, 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:28.220 the Negus turned to us and said: 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:32.220 "What is this religion that you have innovated for yourselves, 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.220 by which you have departed from the religion of your people, 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.220 yet have not entered into my religion, 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.220 nor into any of these other faiths?" 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:43.220 Thereupon Ja'far ibn Abi Talib stepped forward and said: 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.220 "O King, 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:47.220 we were a people of ignorance (*jahiliyyah*), 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:50.220 worshipping idols, eating unslaughtered carrion, 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:53.220 committing abominations, severing ties of kinship, 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:55.220 mistreating our neighbors, 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:57.220 and the strong among us devoured the weak. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.220 We remained in this state 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:02.220 until Allah sent to us a Messenger from among ourselves, 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:06.220 whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and chastity we knew well. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:08.220 He called us to Allah, 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:10.220 to declare His oneness and worship Him, 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:13.220 and to cast off whatever we and our forefathers used to worship 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.220 besides Him of stones and idols. 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:19.220 He commanded us to speak the truth, to fulfill trusts, 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:22.220 to maintain kinship ties, to be good neighbors, 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:25.220 to refrain from forbidden acts and bloodshed. 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:28.220 He forbade us from indecencies, false testimony, 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:31.220 devouring the orphan's property, and slandering chaste women. 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.220 He commanded us to worship Allah alone, 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.220 “Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).” (3:64) 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:39.220 to establish prayer, to pay zakat, 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.220 and to fast during Ramadan. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:43.220 So we believed him and had faith in him, 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:46.220 and we followed him in all that he brought from Allah. 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:48.220 We deemed lawful what he made lawful for us, 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:51.220 and we deemed forbidden what he prohibited to us. 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:54.220 But our people, O King, 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:56.220 attacked us with hostility, 00:10:57.220 --> 00:11:00.220 torturing us severely to turn us away from our religion 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:03.220 and force us back to the worship of idols. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:07.279 So when they wronged us, subjugated us, constrained us, 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:10.279 and stood between us and our religion, 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.279 [we emigrated] to your country, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.279 chose you above all others, 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:16.279 sought your protection, 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:19.279 and hoped that we would not be wronged in your presence." 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.279 Umm Salamah said: 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.279 'The Negus then turned to Ja'far ibn Abi Talib 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:29.279 and asked, "Do you have with you anything of what your Prophet brought from Allah?" 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.279 He replied, "Yes." 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:33.279 The Negus said, "Then recite it to me." 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:36.279 So he recited the opening portion of Surah Maryam. 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:38.279 Umm Salamah said: 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:41.279 'The Negus wept until his beard was drenched with tears, 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:45.279 and his bishops wept until their scriptures were soaked, 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:48.279 upon hearing what was recited from the words of Allah. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.279 Thereupon the Negus said to us: 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:54.279 "Verily, this which your Prophet has brought 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.279 and that which Jesus brought 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.279 emanate from the very same source of light." 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:02.279 Then he turned to 'Amr and his companion 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.279 and said to them, "Depart, 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.279 for by Allah, I shall never surrender them to you!"' 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:09.279 Umm Salamah said: 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:12.279 'When we left the presence of the Negus, 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.279 'Amr ibn al-'As threatened us, 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.279 saying to his companion: 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:18.279 "By Allah, I will come to the King tomorrow 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:23.279 and mention something about them that will fill his chest with rage against them, 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:26.279 charge his heart with hatred for them, 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:30.279 and drive him to uproot them completely!" 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:33.379 'Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi'ah said to him: 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.379 "Do not do so, O 'Amr, 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.379 for they are our kinsmen, 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.379 even if they have opposed us." 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.379 But 'Amr said to him: 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.379 "Leave this aside! 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:46.379 "By Allah, I will surely tell him something that will shake the very ground beneath their feet! 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.379 By Allah, I will tell him 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:51.379 that they claim Jesus, son of Mary, is merely a servant!" 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.470 The next morning, 00:12:54.470 --> 00:12:56.470 'Amr went to the Negus 00:12:57.470 --> 00:12:58.470 and said to him, "O King! 00:12:59.470 --> 00:13:01.470 Those whom you have sheltered and protected 00:13:02.470 --> 00:13:04.470 say a dreadful thing 00:13:05.470 --> 00:13:06.470 about Jesus, son of Mary! 00:13:07.470 --> 00:13:08.470 Send for them 00:13:09.470 --> 00:13:10.470 and ask them what they say about him." 00:13:11.470 --> 00:13:12.470 Umm Salamah said: 00:13:13.470 --> 00:13:14.470 "When we learned of this, 00:13:15.470 --> 00:13:16.470 we were overcome with such distress and grief 00:13:17.470 --> 00:13:18.470 as we had never experienced before. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.539 We said to one another, 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:23.539 'What will you say about Jesus, son of Mary, 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.539 when the King asks you about him?' 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.539 We replied, 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:30.539 'By Allah, we shall say nothing about him except what Allah has said, 00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:33.539 and we will not depart in the least 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.539 from what our Prophet brought, 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:37.539 come what may.' 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:40.539 Then we agreed that the one who would speak 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.539 on our behalf once again would be Ja'far ibn Abi Talib. 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:45.539 When the Negus summoned us, 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.539 we entered his court 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:50.539 and found his bishops seated around him in the same manner 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:52.539 as we had seen them before, 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:55.539 and we found 'Amr ibn al-'As and his companion with him. 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:57.539 When we stood before him, 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.539 he addressed us immediately, saying, 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:02.539 'What do you say about Jesus, son of Mary?' 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:05.539 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib said to him, 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:10.539 'We say concerning him only what our Prophet, peace be upon him, brought.' 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.539 The Negus asked, 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.539 'And what does he say about him?' 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.539 Ja'far replied, 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.539 'He says of him 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.539 that he is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:25.539 and His spirit and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, the virgin maiden.' 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:28.539 No sooner had the Negus heard Ja'far's words 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:31.539 than he struck the ground with his hand and said, 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.539 'By Allah! 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:38.539 By Allah, Jesus, son of Mary, did not exceed what your Prophet has brought by the width of a single hair!' 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:41.539 At this, the bishops around the Negus snorted loudly 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.539 in outrage at what they had heard from him. 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.539 He said, 'Even if you snort!' 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.539 Then he turned to us and said, 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.539 'Go, for you are safe and secure. 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.539 Whoever insults you shall be fined, 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:54.539 and whoever harms you shall be punished. 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.539 By Allah, I would not like to have a mountain of gold 00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:01.539 if it meant that any one of you should suffer harm.' 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.539 Then he looked at 'Amr and his companion and said, 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:07.539 'Return these two men's gifts to them, 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.539 for I have no need of them.'" 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.539 Umm Salamah said: 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:14.539 "So 'Amr and his companion departed, broken and humiliated, 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:17.539 dragging the tails of bitter disappointment. 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:19.539 As for us, 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:24.539 we stayed with the Negus in the best of abodes, under the care of the most generous host." 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.539 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib spent, 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:29.539 along with his wife, ten years in the realm of the Negus, 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:32.539 living in safety and tranquility. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.539 In the seventh year of the Hijrah, 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.539 he departed from the land of Abyssinia with a group of Muslims, 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.539 heading for Yathrib. 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.539 When they arrived there, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:45.539 the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.539 had just returned from Khaybar, 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.539 after Allah had granted him victory over it. 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:52.539 He rejoiced exceedingly at meeting Ja'far, 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:54.539 so much so that he said, 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:56.539 "I do not know which of the two delights me more: 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.539 the conquest of Khaybar, 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:00.539 or the arrival of Ja'far?" 00:16:01.570 --> 00:16:03.570 The joy of the Muslims in general, 00:16:04.570 --> 00:16:06.570 and the poor among them in particular, over Ja'far's return 00:16:07.570 --> 00:16:10.570 was no less than the joy of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:16:11.570 --> 00:16:14.570 For Ja'far had immense compassion for the weak 00:16:15.570 --> 00:16:16.570 and showed them abundant kindness, 00:16:17.570 --> 00:16:19.570 to the extent that he was called "the Father of the Poor." 00:16:20.570 --> 00:16:22.570 Abu Hurayrah narrated concerning him, saying: 00:16:22.570 --> 00:16:25.570 "The best of people to us, the community of the poor, 00:16:26.570 --> 00:16:27.570 was Ja'far ibn Abi Talib. 00:16:28.570 --> 00:16:29.570 He would take us to his home 00:16:30.570 --> 00:16:32.570 and feed us whatever he had. 00:16:33.570 --> 00:16:34.570 When his food ran out, 00:16:35.570 --> 00:16:37.570 he would bring out for us the leather container in which clarified butter was kept, 00:16:38.570 --> 00:16:39.570 even though nothing remained inside it, 00:16:40.570 --> 00:16:42.570 and we would slit it open and lick whatever was left sticking to its sides." 00:16:43.629 --> 00:16:46.629 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib's stay in Medina was not long. 00:16:47.629 --> 00:16:49.629 At the beginning of the eighth year of the Hijrah, 00:16:49.629 --> 00:16:52.629 the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, prepared an army 00:16:53.629 --> 00:16:55.629 to confront the Romans in the land of the Levant (al-Sham). 00:16:56.629 --> 00:16:58.629 He appointed Zayd ibn Harithah as commander of the army, 00:16:59.629 --> 00:17:01.629 saying, "If Zayd is killed or wounded, 00:17:02.629 --> 00:17:04.630 then the commander shall be Ja'far ibn Abi Talib. 00:17:05.630 --> 00:17:07.630 If Ja'far is killed or wounded, 00:17:08.630 --> 00:17:10.630 then the commander shall be 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah. 00:17:11.630 --> 00:17:13.630 And if 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah is killed or wounded, 00:17:14.630 --> 00:17:16.630 then let the Muslims choose a commander from among themselves." 00:17:16.630 --> 00:17:18.630 When the Muslims reached Mu'tah, 00:17:19.630 --> 00:17:22.630 a village located on the outskirts of the Levant in Jordan, 00:17:23.630 --> 00:17:25.630 they found that the Romans had prepared an army of one hundred thousand, 00:17:26.630 --> 00:17:28.630 reinforced by another one hundred thousand Christian Arabs 00:17:29.630 --> 00:17:32.630 from the tribes of Lakhm, Judham, Quda'ah, and others. 00:17:33.630 --> 00:17:35.630 As for the Muslim army, 00:17:36.630 --> 00:17:38.630 it consisted of only three thousand men. 00:17:39.630 --> 00:17:40.630 No sooner had the two forces clashed 00:17:41.630 --> 00:17:42.630 and the fierce battle commenced, 00:17:43.630 --> 00:17:45.630 than Zayd ibn Harithah fell, 00:17:46.630 --> 00:17:48.630 slain while charging forward without turning his back. 00:17:49.630 --> 00:17:51.630 Thereupon, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib swiftly leaped 00:17:52.630 --> 00:17:54.630 from the back of a reddish-blonde mare of his, 00:17:55.630 --> 00:17:56.630 hamstrung her with his sword 00:17:57.630 --> 00:17:59.630 so that the enemy could not make use of her after him, 00:18:00.630 --> 00:18:02.630 took up the banner, and plunged deep into the Roman ranks, 00:18:03.630 --> 00:18:04.630 chanting: 00:18:05.630 --> 00:18:06.630 "O welcome Paradise as it draws near, 00:18:07.630 --> 00:18:09.630 so sweet and with its refreshing, cool drinks! 00:18:10.630 --> 00:18:12.630 The Romans are Romans whose punishment is near, 00:18:13.630 --> 00:18:15.630 disbelievers of alien lineage; 00:18:16.630 --> 00:18:18.630 upon me is to strike them down when we meet!" 00:18:19.630 --> 00:18:21.819 He continued to charge through the enemy lines, 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.819 striking and fighting with his sword, 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.819 until a blow struck him, severing his right hand. 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.819 He then seized the banner with his left hand, 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:33.819 but soon another blow struck him, severing his left hand. 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:36.819 He clasped the banner with his chest and upper arms, 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:39.819 but soon a third blow struck him, 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.819 cutting him into two halves. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.819 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah then took up the banner from him, 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:48.980 until he too was united in martyrdom with his companions. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.980 News reached the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.980 of the death of his three commanders, 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:58.049 and he grieved over them with the deepest and most painful sorrow. 00:18:59.049 --> 00:19:01.049 He went to the house of his cousin, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, 00:19:02.049 --> 00:19:04.049 and found his wife, Asma', 00:19:05.049 --> 00:19:07.049 preparing to receive her absent husband. 00:19:08.049 --> 00:19:10.049 She had kneaded her dough, 00:19:11.049 --> 00:19:13.049 washed her sons, anointed their hair, and dressed them in clean clothes. 00:19:14.049 --> 00:19:15.049 Asma' said: 00:19:15.049 --> 00:19:18.049 "When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, entered upon us, 00:19:19.049 --> 00:19:23.049 I saw a veil of sorrow cloaking his noble face, 00:19:24.049 --> 00:19:26.049 and fear crept into my heart, 00:19:27.049 --> 00:19:29.049 though I did not wish to ask him about Ja'far 00:19:30.049 --> 00:19:32.049 out of dread of hearing what I feared." 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:34.079 He greeted her and said, 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.079 "Bring me the children of Ja'far." 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.079 She called them for him, 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:41.079 and they rushed toward him full of joy and excitement, 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.079 crowding around him, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.079 each wanting his full attention. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.079 He leaned over them, 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.140 began to smell and embrace them, 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:51.140 while his eyes overflowed with tears. 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:53.140 She said, "O Messenger of Allah! 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:56.140 May my father and mother be ransomed for you, what makes you weep? 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:59.140 Has any news reached you regarding Ja'far and his companions?" 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.140 He said, "Yes, 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.180 they were martyred this day." 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:05.180 At that moment, 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:08.400 the smiles vanished from the children's faces 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:11.400 when they heard their mother weeping and wailing, 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:14.400 and they froze in their places as though birds were perched on their heads. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:17.400 As for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:20.529 he walked away, wiping away his tears, 00:20:21.529 --> 00:20:22.529 and saying: 00:20:23.529 --> 00:20:25.529 "O Allah, look after Ja'far's children in his stead! 00:20:26.529 --> 00:20:28.529 O Allah, care for Ja'far's family in his stead!" 00:20:29.529 --> 00:20:30.529 Then he said: 00:20:31.529 --> 00:20:33.589 "I have seen Ja'far in Paradise, 00:20:34.589 --> 00:20:36.589 with two wings drenched in blood, 00:20:37.589 --> 00:20:38.589 flying wherever he wills." 00:20:38.589 --> 00:20:40.589 "I have seen Ja'far in Paradise, 00:20:41.589 --> 00:20:46.480 with two wings drenched in blood, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.640 flying wherever he wills." 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.769 A noble hadith.