Jabir ibn Abdullah جابر بن عبدالله |
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Title: al-Ansari الأنصاري | |
Birthplace | Medina, Hejaz |
Ethnicity | Arab people |
Known For | Being a loyal companion of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, and the Ahl al-Bayt |
Influences | Allah, Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, and the Ahl al-Bayt |
Died | 78 AH (697) |
Burial Place | Mada'in, Iraq |
Parents |
Father: Abdullah ibn Amr Mother: Nasiba bint Uqba |
Religion | Islam |
Political Party |
Father: Abdullah ibn Amr
Jabir ibn ʿAbdullah ibn ʾAmr ibn Haram al-Ansari (Arabic: جابر بن عبدالله بن عمرو بن حرام الأنصاري, died 697 CE/78 AH) was a prominent companion of Muhammad.
Jabir ibn ʿAbdullah al-Ansari was born in Yathrib (now known as Medina) 15 years before the Hijra. He belonged to a poor family of Yathrib. He was from the tribe of Khazraj. His mother was Nasiba bint Uqba ibn Uddi. His father was married to his paternal cousin.
Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari is said to have accepted Islam when he was about 7.
His participation in the Battle of Badr is questioned by some historians; he is known to have fought in 19 battles (including Badr) under command of Muhammad, and was a trusted Sahaba. He was present during the conquest of Mecca.
In the Battle of Uhud, Jabir ibn Abdullah was not allowed by his father Abdullah to take part in Jihad. Jabir had seven sisters (some historians say nine) and Abdullah wanted him to take care of his family. So instead of fighting, Jabir served the thirsty soldiers. Jabir's father, Abdullah bin Amru bin Haram al-Ansari was killed in the Battle of Uhud along with his brother-in-law, Amro bin Jamooh, both having reached nearly 100 years of age.
He fought in all the three major civil wars under Imam Ali: Battle of Jamal, Battle of Sifeen and Battle of Nahrawan.
Jabir had a long life and became blind in his old age. According to the Shias, he devoutly waited for the time when he would meet the fifth Imam. Each morning he would come out from his house, sit by the roadside and wait for the sound of the footsteps to recognize the fifth Imam. One such day while he was waiting in the street of Medina, he heard someone walking towards him, the sound of footsteps reminded him of the way Muhammad used to walk. Jabir stood up, stopped the man and asked his name. He replied, “Muhammad”, Jabir asked, “whose son”? He replied “Ali ibn Hussain”. Jabir immediately recognized the man he was talking to was the 5th Imam. He kissed his hands and conveyed the message of Muhammad.