The mother...

The mother, Asma binte Umais, observed that the Prophet’s manner seemed to denote that the child was an orphan. The Prophet then with tears declared that Ja’far was martyred; “before which,” said he, “both his hands were cut off, and in exchange for them Allah has given him two emerald wings with which he now flies where he pleases among the angels of Paradise.” Some say the wings were ruby; however that may be, he is now called Ja’far Tayyar, or Ja’far the flyer.

Shaykh Tusi has through trustworthy chains narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that when Ja’far Tayyar was martyred with fifty wounds, twenty-five of them were on his face. Barqi and Kulaini have narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) that on the day of Battle of Mutah, Ja’far dismounted from his horse so that people may not even think that he will flee from battlefield. And he was the first among Muslims to have hamstrung his horse.

Barqi has narrated that when the Prophet learnt about the martyrdom of Ja’far, he went to his house, called for his sons, Abdullah, Aun and Muhammad and stroked their heads. Asma, Ja’far’s wife said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), you are stroking their heads as if they are orphans.” The Holy Prophet (S) was surprised at her intelligence and he said: “Perhaps you don’t know that Ja’far is martyred.” When Asma heard this, she began to weep.

The Holy Prophet (S) said: “Don’t cry, because the Almighty Allah has informed me that He has gifted two wings of red ruby with which he glides in Paradise.” Asma said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), call the people and narrate his excellence to them, so that he is always remembered. The Holy Prophet (S) again appreciated her wisdom and he told his family members to send food etc. to Ja’far’s house. Since then started the practice of sending food to the family in which death has occurred.

Barqi and Kulaini have narrated through reliable chains and Shaykh Tusi has through good chains narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that when Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib was martyred, the Holy Prophet (S) asked Lady Fatima (s.a.) to send food for three days to Asma binte Umais and to console her and since then started this practice.

Kulaini had narrated through trustworthy chains from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that one day the Holy Prophet (S) was in the Masjid, when suddenly the Almighty Allah lowered all high lands till he saw Ja’far that he was fighting the infidels till he was martyred. So he told his companions about it.