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'''Ja'far ibn Abi Talib,'''who has nicknamed “Abu Abdullah” and sobriquet “Tayyar”, was the cousin of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his family) and the brother of Hazrat Ali (peace be upon him), and one of the great martyrs of early Islam. He was one of the prominent figures of Islam and is considered a model of faith, action, jihad, and martyrdom.

== A brief biography of Jafar Tayyar ==
Ja'far, the son of Abu Talib and Fatima bint Asad, was known as Ja'far  Tayyar, and his nickname was Abu Abdullah<ref>Ibn Abdul-Barr, Yusuf bin Abdullah.(1991). Al-Isti'aab fi Ma'rifat al-Ashab, first edition, researched by Al-Bajawi, Ali Muhammad, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar Al-Jil</ref>. 

The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) also gave him the title of Abu al-Masakin because he spent a lot of time with the poor people<ref>Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Ahmad bin Ali.(1994). Al-Isabah  fi Tamiz al-Sahaba, first edition, researched by Abdul-Mujoud, Adel Ahmad, Mu'awaz, Ali Muhammad, vol. 7, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutb Al-Ilmiyyah</ref>. 

Ja'far was the brother of Imam Ali (a.s.), Aqeel, Taleb, and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). According to historical accounts, he was born 20 years before the Prophethood, while he was ten years younger than Aqeel and ten years older than Ali (a.s.)<ref>Al-Isti'aab, vol. 1</ref>. 

Ja'far is one of the great martyrs of early Islam. After the amputation of both his hands in the Battle of Mu'tah [4The Battle of Mutah was a war that took place in the 8<sup>th</sup> century, during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), between the Muslims and the Roman Empire<ref>The Battle of Mutah was a war that took place in the 8<sup>th</sup> century, during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), between the Muslims and the Roman Empire</ref>

and his martyrdom, he became known as "Zul-Janaheyn" <ref>Isti’aab, vol. 1</ref> .and Ja'far Tayyar <ref>Ibn Hisham, Abdul Malik.(1989). The Prophet's Biography, first edition, research, Al-Saqa, Mustafa, Al-Abyari, Ibrahim, Shalabi, Abdul Hafiz, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar Al-Mara'fah</ref>. 

When a drought occurred in Mecca and Abu Talib was in dire straits, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) suggested to Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib that he go to his brother Abu Talib and bring Ja’far to his house and take care of him. Abbas accepted this offer, went to Abu Talib and brought Ja’far to his house. Ja’far grew up under his uncle’s care until he embraced Islam, after which he became independent<ref>Tabari, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir.(1967). History of Nations and Kings (Tabari's History), second edition, research, Ibrahim, Muhammad Abu al-Fadl, vol. 2, Beirut: Dar Al-Turath</ref>. 

== Wife and Children ==
Ja'far's wife was Asma' bint Omays ibn Nu'man, and he had children by her named Abdullah, Muhammad, and Aun, all of whom were born in Abyssinia<ref>Ibn Saad, Kateb Vaqedi , Muhammad ibn Saad.(1989). Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, first edition, research, Atta, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, vol. 4, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah</ref>.

Some sources also add four other children named Muhammad Asghar, Hamid, Husayn, and Abdullah Asghar from the same mother, claiming that they were also born in Abyssinia<ref>Ibn Anba al-Hasani, Sayyid Ahmad ibn Ali.(1996). Omdah al-Talib fi Ansab al- Abi Talib, Qom: Ansarian</ref>. 

== Convert to Islam ==
There is disagreement about the time of his conversion to Islam. According to one report, he converted to Islam when he was less than twenty years old<ref>Moqaddasi, Mutahar ibn Taher, Al-Bada' wa al-Tarikh, vol. 5.Port Said:Maktabah  Aseqafah al-Dyniyyah</ref> .

It is said that he was the second person to convert to Islam after Imam Ali (a.s.) and he along with his brother, held  the first congregational prayer under the leadership of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)<ref>Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Ali ibn Muhammad.(1988). Osodol-Ghabah Fi Ma’rafah Al-Sahabah s, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar al-Fekir</ref>.

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) also says in this regard: The first congregational prayer that the Messenger of God (s.a.w.s.) held  was only with the Commander of the Faithful,Ali  (a.s.) and Abu Talib told Ja’far to join them in the congregational prayer<ref>Sheikh Sadooq.(1979). Amali, fifth edition, Beirut: A'alami.</ref>. 

However, some believe that he was the third<ref>Sheikh Sadooq.(1979). Amali, fifth edition, Beirut: A'alami.

However, some believe that he was the third[13], Ibn Asaker, Ali ibn Hassan.(1994). History of Damascus,1st edition, researcher, Shiri, Ali, vol. 72, Beirut:Dar al-Fekir</ref> , or the twenty-sixth<ref>Ibn Asaker, Ali ibn Hassan.(1994). History of Damascus,1st edition, researcher, Shiri, Ali, vol. 72, Beirut:Dar al-Fekir.</ref>the twenty-sixth.

or the thirty-second person to convert to Islam<ref>the twenty-sixth[14]Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Ahmad bin Ali.(1994). Al-Isabah  fi Tamiz al-Sahaba, first edition, researched by Abdul-Mujoud, Adel Ahmad, Mu'awaz, Ali Muhammad, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutb Al-Ilmiyyah</ref>.

== The virtues and characteristics of Jafar Tayyar ==
Ja'far was the most similar person to the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) in his time in terms of beauty and morals <ref>Isti’aab, vol. 1</ref>.

Ali (peace be upon him) had a special devotion to his brother Ja'far, such that if Abdullah ibn Ja'far had a request from Ali (peace be upon him)

and had made him swear on Ja'far's life, he would not have refused his request. <ref>Isti’aab, vol. 1</ref>. 

Ja'far was a man of great oratory, brave and courageous, a mystic, generous and forgiving, and his forgiveness included everyone. He respected everyone’s rights<ref>Abu Naeem Ahmad ibn Abdullah al-Esbahani. Helyatol  Uoliya and Tabqat al-Asfiya', researcher, corrector, Shafi'i Kadkani, Muhammad Reza, vol. 1, Cairo: Dar Umm al-Qora'a Printing and Publishing House</ref>.  

Ja'far's prayer, which is emphasized and recommended as one of the recommended prayers, is a gift that the Prophet gave to Ja'far<ref>Abu Naeem Ahmad ibn Abdullah al-Esbahani. Helyatol  Uoliya  and Tabqat al-Asfiya', researcher, corrector, Shafi'i Kadkani, Muhammad Reza, vol. 1, Cairo: Dar Umm al-Qora'a Printing and Publishing House</ref>. 

It is narrated from Imam Ali (a.s.) that the Messenger of God (p.b.u.h) said: The prophets before me had seven ministers, naqibs(guardian and supervisor), and disciples, but God gave me fourteen disciples and naqibs: Hamza, Ja’far, Imam Ali (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussein (a.s.), and...<ref>Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Ali ibn Muhammad.(1988). Osodol-Ghabah Fi Ma’rafah Al-Sahabah s, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar al-Fekir</ref>. 

Ja'far has such a position that after the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and the infallible Imams (a.s.), he will be among the first people who enter  to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) at the Pool of Kauthar <ref>Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir.(1982). Behar al-Anwar, second edition, vol. 36, Beirut: Dar al-Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi</ref>. 

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of God be upon him) has said following words about Ja'far:


   The best people are Hamza, Jafar and Ali (peace be upon them)<ref>Abul Faraj, Ali ibn al-Hussein al-Isfahani. Maqatel al-Talibeen, Mohaqq, Saqr, Seyyed Ahmad,Beirut: Dar al-Ma'arafah.</ref>.

·      People are from different trees, and Jafar and I are from the same tree<ref>Abul Faraj, Ali ibn al-Hussein al-Isfahani. Maqatel al-Talibeen, Mohaqq, Saqr, Seyyed Ahmad,Beirut: Dar al-Ma'arafah</ref>.

·      Allah! Jafar sent the best of rewards to You. Make the best of people among his descendants<ref>Sheybani, Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal.(1982).Fazael al-Sahabah( Virtues of the Companions), first edition, Vol. 2, Beirut: Al-Risalah  Institute</ref>.

·      I and these sons of Abdul Muttalib are the great people of Paradise: Hamza, Ja'far, Ali (peace be upon him), Fatima (peace be upon her), and Hasanein (peace be upon them)<ref>History of Damascus, Vol. 72</ref>.

In another narration, instead of Hazrat Zahra (peace be upon her), the name of Hazrat Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return) is mentioned <ref>History of Damascus, Vol. 72</ref>. 

Ibn Abbas said: We were with the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) when he returned the greeting and then said to Asma: This was Ja'far with Gabriel, Michael and the angels who greeted me and I returned their greeting.

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) gave Ja'far 15000 Kilogram(33069 pound) of the date harvest of Khaybar annually<ref>Al-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 4</ref>. 

== Martyrdom of Jafar Tayyar ==
After returning to Medina, Ja'far participated in the Battle of Mu'tah, which took place in 8<sup>th</sup> century AH [28]Al-Isti’aab, Vol. 1<ref>Al-Isti’aab, Vol. 1</ref>. 

and after the martyrdom of Zeyd ibn Harithah, he assumed command of the Islamic army.[29] Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 2<ref>Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 2</ref>.

However, some reports indicate that Ja'far was in command from the beginning.<ref>Yaqoobi, Ahmad ibn Abi Yaqubi. History of Yaqoobi, first edition, vol. 2,Beirut: Dar Sader.first edition</ref>.

After years of struggle and effort in defending of  Islam, he was finally martyred in this battle at the age of forty-one<ref>Al-Isti'aab, vol. 1</ref>,or forty-five<ref>History of Damascus, vol. 72</ref>. 

It is reported that he sustained about ninety wounds in the Battle of Mu'tah <ref>Al-Isti'aab, vol. 1</ref> ,and according to another report, his body was split in two by a blow from a Roman<ref>Maqrizi, Taqi al-Din.(1999). Emtaol al-asma, research, Namisi, Muhammad Abdul Hamid, first edition, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Ilmiyyahm, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 4</ref>.

It is said that he was the first Muslim whose  horse was killed on the battlefield<ref>Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Ahmad bin Ali.(1994). Al-Isabah  fi Tamiz al-Sahaba, first edition, researched by Abdul-Mujoud, Adel Ahmad, Mu'awaz, Ali Muhammad, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutb Al-Ilmiyyah</ref>. 

In any case, it was after his martyrdom that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) said: "Instead of Ja'far's two hands, Allah gave him two wings which he can fly wherever he wants in Paradise <ref>Balazuri, Ahmad bin Yahya.(1996). Ansab al-Ashraf, first edition, research, Zakkar, Suhail, Zarkoli, vol. 2, Beirut: Dar al-Fekir</ref> .  

When Ja'far was martyred, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) came to his house and informed his wife Asma of his martyrdom and wept with her in mourning for Ja'far. Then Hazrat Fatima (peace be upon her) entered in a weeping state. The Prophet said: It is fitting that one should weep over the death <ref>Al-Isti'aab, vol. 1</ref>. 

It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that after the martyrdom of Ja’far, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) ordered Fatima (a.s.) to prepare dinner and lunch for Asma for three days and to go with other women of the family to console her and stay in her house; this is where the religious tradition of sending food to the mourners for three days was formed<ref>Barqi, Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid.(1951). Mahasen, Second Edition, Researcher, Proofreader, Mohaddes, Jalal al-Din, Vol. 2, Qom: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah</ref> .

== The Grave ==
Ja'far was buried in the same grave with Zeyd ibn Harithah  and Abdullah ibn Rawaha.<ref>Umdat al-Talib, pp. 35-36</ref>.Visiting Ja'far’s grave  in the area of Mu'tah is recommended<ref>Behar al-Anwar, Vol. 97</ref>. 

== References ==