Abdullah bin Jafar bin Abi Talib (rtam) was the cousin of the Prophet (sa). Al-Abbas (rtam),
Abdullah’s parents, were among those first believers to accept Islam. Also, Abdullah (rtam) himself pledged his allegiance to the Prophet (sa) at a very young age of seven.
When the persecutions in Makkah became intolerable, a group of early Muslims were allowed to migrate to Abyssinia to seek the protection of king Negus. Abdullah’s (rtam) parents were among those, who left Makkah. When the Quraish polytheists of Makkah followed them and asked king Negus to give out to them the Muslims, it was Abdullah’s father, who was selected to represent the Muslims against the polytheists. His speech was so successful that king Negus granted the Muslims full protection.
Abdullah (rtam) was the first Muslim child to be born in Abyssinia. A few days after his birth, king Negus also had a son. Negus asked Jafar bin Abi Talib (rtam), what name he had given to his son, and when he replied ‘Abdullah’; then the king named his son the same. Moreover, king Negus gave his son to Abdullah’s mother for suckling, which made both Abdullah bin Jafar (rtam) and Abdullah, the son of Negus, milk brothers.
Already in childhood, Abdullah (rtam) was noted for his nobility, dignity, modesty and shyness. He grew up to be a very kind, gentle and extremely generous person, for which he was named the Sea of Generosity.
Abdullah (rtam) was also famous for his resemblance with the Prophet (sa). It is reported that Abdullah bin Jafar (rtam) said: “I heard from the Messenger of Allah (sa) something, which is more beloved to me than red camels. I heard him say: ‘Jafar resembled me in appearance and in character, and as for you, Oh Abdullah, you resemble your father more than anyone else does.’” It was as if the Messenger of Allah (sa) wanted to say to Abdullah (rtam):
“You resemble me in appearance and in character.”
Adapted (with permission) from “Child Companions around the Prophet (sa)” published by Darussalam.
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