Jarir Ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bajali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)

“O Allaah, keep him firm and make him a guide and rightly guided.” – Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

Jarir is the Yusuf of this Ummah.” – ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)

He is Jarir ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bajali, one of the prominent Sahabah.
He was a man of exquisite beauty and perfect grace/charm.
He is the man who pledged allegiance to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to advise every Muslim.

Remarkable Merits/Virtues on the Day Jarir embraced Islam

Al-Mughirah ibn Shibl narrated that Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “When I approached Al-Madinah, I dismounted my mount, opened my bag, and put on my best garments, and then I entered the mosque, where the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was delivering a sermon. People started staring at me.”

He (further) related: “I inquired with the person sitting next to me, ‘O servant of Allaah, did the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mention anything about me?’ He replied: ‘Yes, he mentioned you in the best manner;‘ while he was delivering his sermon, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said – referring to Jarir –“He, who is from amongst the best of Yemen, will enter upon you through this pass – and indeed, upon his face is a mark of kingship.” Jarir said: “So, I praised Allaah (upon this).”  [Reported by Ahmad in (4/364), and by An-Nasaa’i in Fadaa’il As-Sahaba (199). Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (12391), and Al-Adawi said in Fadaa’il As-Sahaba, that its Isnad is Saheeh]

Adiy Ibn Hatim narrated: “When he – i.e., Jarir – entered upon the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) threw him a cushion, but Jarir sat on the ground. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said: I bear witness that you neither seek dominance on earth, nor corruption.” Jarir embraced Islam, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said: If there comes to you a man who is respected among his own people, then honor him.”” [The Hadeeth has weak supporting reports that elevate it to the level of Hasan, including narrations from Ibn ‘Umar in Ibn Maajah (3712), and from Jarir in Al-Bazzar, Ibn Khuzaymah, and At-Tabarani (2266 and 2355), and Ibn Adiy]. That beginning was a seed/fruit that bore abundant fruits, and Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) continued to reap goodness (from it) until he met Allaah.

Jarir Ibn ‘Abdullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) never refused me permission to see him since I embraced Islam, and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) never looked at me but with a smile.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari (3822) and Muslim (2475)]. 

O Allaah! Keep him steadfast, and make him the one who guides others and is guided himself.
As the days passed – after Jarir embraced Islam – the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) love for him and his trust in him grew stronger each passing day, until one day he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) entrusted him with that great mission, which was to make him one of those whom Allaah utilized to spread Tawheed on earth and eradicate Shirk and its traces.

Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to me: ‘Won’t you relieve me of Dhul-Khalasa?‘ I replied: ‘Yes, (I will relieve you).’ So I proceeded along with a hundred and fifty cavalry from Ahmas tribe who were skilled in their riding ability. (However,) I was not accustomed to sitting firmly on the horseback myself, so I informed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) of the same, and he stroked my chest with his hand till I saw the marks of his hand over my chest and he said: ‘O Allaah! Keep him steadfast and make him the one who guides others and is guided himself.‘ I have never fallen off a horse since then.”

He (the sub-narrator) said: “Dhul-Khalasa was a house in Yemen belonging to the tribe of Khath’am and Bajila, and in it were idols that were worshipped, and it was called Al-Ka’bah. Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) went there, burnt it with fire, and broke it down.”

When Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reached Yemen, there was a man who used to practice Azlaam (casting arrows for divination). It was said to him: “The messenger of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is present here, and if he gets hold of you, he will chop off your neck.”
One day while he (this man) was using them (i.e. arrows of divination), Jarir stopped there and said to him: “Break them (i.e. the arrows) and testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, or else I will chop off your neck.” So the man broke those arrows and testified.

Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) then sent a man called Abu Arta’ah from the tribe of Ahmas to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to convey the good news (of destroying Dhul-Khalasa). When the messenger reached the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he said: “O Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)! By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I did not come to you until it was left like a scabby camel [a diseased camel, the phrase can refer to someone or something that people avoid or something unpleasant].” Then the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) invoked Allaah to bless the horses of Ahmas and their men – five times. [Reported by Al-Bukhaari (4357) and Muslim (2476)]

Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) remained closely attached to the beloved Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), just like an eye stays with its twin. He never left his side, whether during travel or residence, seeking to draw from his guidance, knowledge, and his noble and gentle character.
Jarir’s love for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) grew stronger day by day, to the extent that he wished to sacrifice himself, his wealth, and everything he owned for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The day when the beloved Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) departed, the whole world darkened in the eyes of Jarir, and the earth felt narrow/constrained despite its vastness… for it was no longer the world he once knew, rather his heart was nearly torn apart with grief over the loss of the beloved Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

However, Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) remained steadfast, following the example of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) (even) after his passing… living his Sunnah, practicing it in his moments of stillness and movement, in his words and actions. When Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) took the caliphate, he knew Jarir’s worth and status, and Abu Bakr passed away while he was pleased with him, and the same was true for ‘Umar and ‘Uthmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma).

The Yusuf of this Ummah

Allaah blessed Jarir with an exceptional degree of beauty and handsomeness/grace, to the point that people referred to him as “The Yusuf of this Ummah.”
Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab once saw me without my garments, and said to me: Take your cloak, take your cloak (i.e., cover yourself with the cloak).” I took my cloak and returned to the people and asked: “What is the matter with him?” They replied: “When he saw you without your garment, he said: ‘I have never seen anyone (so beautifully) formed as this man, except for what has been mentioned about Yusuf (‘Alayhis-Salaam).” [Al-Arna’ut said its narrators are Thiqah (trustworthy), and Al-Hafidh mentioned it in Al-Isabah (2/77) and attributed it to Al-Baghawi] Ibrahim ibn Jarir reported that ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “Jarir is the Yusuf of this Ummah.” [Al-Arna’ut said: Its narrators are Thiqah (trustworthy): Al-Siyar (2/535)]

His Noble Character

Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) possessed a remarkable level of noble character, to the point that he would not even harm anyone’s Haya (modesty/shame), no matter his status or rank.

Ash-Sha’bi reported that (once) ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was in a house along with Jarir Ibn ‘Abdullaah, and a smell was noticed. And in another narration, (it was mentioned that) a man had passed wind. ‘Umar said: “I command the one responsible for this odor to stand up and perform ablution.” Upon this, Jarir said: “Command us all.” ‘Umar replied: “I command myself and all of you.” We then stood up, performed ablution, and then we all offered Salaat. ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) commented: “May Allaah have mercy on you. You were a great man in the days of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), and you are a great man in Islam.” [Al-Siyar by Imam Al-Dhahabi (2/535)]

Jarir’s love was firmly settled in the hearts of the Sahabah to the extent that ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “Jarir is one of us – the Ahlul-Bayt – from back to front.” He said it three times. [Al-Arna’ut said: “It was reported by At-Tabarani (2211) and it was mentioned by Al-Haythami in Majma’ (9/373), and he said: Abu Bakr Ibn Hafs did not meet ‘Ali, and Sulayman Ibn Ibrahim, I did not find anyone who authenticated him. The rest of the men are Thiqah (trustworthy).”]

His Struggle in the Way of Allaah

The hearts of all the Sahabah always yearned for martyrdom in the Path of Allaah Almighty. Jarir, too, wished that Allaah would grant him martyrdom, through which Allaah would erase all his sins — especially since he had embraced Islam later in life.

Ash-Sha’bi reported: “On the day of al-Qadisiyyah, Jarir Ibn ‘Abdullaah was positioned on the right flank of Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas.”
Ibn Sa’d reported: “Yazid Ibn Jarir narrated from his father that ‘Umar said to him (i.e. to Jarir), while people were avoiding Iraq and fighting the non-Arabs: ‘Go forth with your people, and whatever you conquer, a fourth of it, is yours.'”

When the spoils of Jalulaa’ were gathered, Jarir claimed a fourth of it all. So Sa’d wrote to ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) about it, and ‘Umar wrote back: “Jarir has spoken the truth; indeed, I said that to him.” He (also) wrote: “If he wishes to have a fixed share for himself and his people as a reward, then give him his due. But if he fought solely for the sake of Allaah, His religion, and His Paradise, then he is one of the Muslims; (and as such) he has the same rights and responsibilities as they do.” When the letter reached Sa’d, he informed Jarir about it. Jarir replied: “Ameerul-Mu’mineen has spoken the truth. I have no need for that; I am simply one of the Muslims.” [Sifat as-Safwa (1/376)]

Jarir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) distanced himself from the conflict between ‘Ali and Mu’awiyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma), and remained steadfast in following the guidance of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) until he “The Yusuf of this Ummah” passed away longing for the same wish that Prophet Yusuf (‘Alayhis-Salaam) wished for:

تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ

“Cause me to die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”[Surat Yusuf (12:101)]

 

Source:

? Ashaab Ar-Rasoul, by Mahmoud Al-Masri

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