Chapter on the Virtue of Jaʿfar ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—said: Jaʿfar ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—was the brother of Alī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him. He was killed during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—in one of his military campaigns. He fought fiercely until both his hands were severed. It is said that he then gripped the spear with his forearms and continued fighting until he was killed—may Allah be pleased with him. Allah, the Most Generous, granted him two wings in Paradise, studded with pearls, with which he flies through Paradise.

He had previously emigrated to Abyssinia. When he returned, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—went out to receive him, embraced him, and kissed him between the eyes. Jaʿfar had two sons, Abdullah and Muhammad, by Asmāʾ bint Umays.