Jabirs Advice

The guardian scholar Abi Abdillah Mohammad bin Ahmad bin Shahryar Al-Khazen, narrated from Abu Abdillah Mohammad bin Ali (a.s.) Al-Barasi, from Abu Taher Mohammad bin Husain Al-Qarashi, from Abu Abdillah Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Hamran Al-Asadi, from Abu Ahmad Is’haaq bin Mohammad bin Ali (a.s.) Al-Moqari, from Abdulla, from Ubaidullah bin Mohammad bin Al-AyadI, from Omar bin Mudrik, from Yahya bin Ziyad Al-Maleki, from Jurayr bin Abdul Hameed, from Aamash, from Atiya Al-Awfi, who said:

Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari and I went to the Ziyarat of the grave of Husain bin Ali bin Abi Taleb (a.s.). When we entered Karbala, Jabir washed himself in the water of  Euphrates, wrapped himself with cloth, put some perfume on himself, and then started walking toward the grave, while glorifying Allah with each step. When we approached

the grave, he told me to take his hand and put it on the grave because he could not see. When I put his hand on the grave, Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari fainted. So I put some water on him.

When he awoke he said, “O Husain! O Husain! O Husain!”

Then Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari said:

My love does not answer his friend! And how can you answer when your jugular vein is separated from your neck and your head is separated from your body?

I testify that you are the son of the last Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), that you are the on of the Master of the Believers, that you are the son of the most pious, that you are the son of the path of guidance, and that you are the fifth of the AS’HAB Al-KISA.

You are the son of the master of all of the noble (as) ones and you are the son of Fatema (sa), the Master of All of the Worlds’ Women. And how can one expect anything less from you (given that) you were fed by the hands of the Master of the Messengers (saww), you were raised by the Imam (as) of the pious, and you were nursed from the source of faith?

You were blessed when you were alive and you are blessed when you are dead, but our hearts grieve from being separated from you. Allah’s blessings and His heavens are for you. I testify that you died just like your brother, Yahya, son of Zakariyya.

Then Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari looked around the grave and said:

Salaam to the souls who were killed for Husain (a.s.) and followed him to the last minute. I testify that you established prayers, you gave charity, you ordered people to do that which is right and lawful, you stopped people from doing that which is wrong and unlawful, you fought against the disbelievers, and you worshipped Allah (swt) until you were killed. I swear to Allah (swt), who sent Mohammad as a Prophet (s.a.w.a.), that we share the reward with you.

I (Atiya) said to Jabir:

O Jabir! How can you say that we share the reward when we did not do anything? We did not leave our families and we did not even swing our swords? But they fought and were killed. Their heads were separated from their bodies, their children became orphans, and their wives became widows. 

Jabir replied:

O Atiya! I heard my love, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) say, ‘Those who love a group will be resurrected with them, and those who love the deeds of a group will share their rewards.’ I swear to Allah that my intention and the intention of my friends (the companions of Imam Husain) is the same in regards to following Husain bin Ali bin Abi Taleb (a.s.).

Then Jabir said to me (Atiya), “Take me toward Kufa.” On the way to Kufa, Jabir said:Let me give you some advice because I do not think I will see you again. Love those who love the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as long as they love them. Hate those who hate the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as long as they hate them, even if they are extreme worshipers. Be kind to those who love the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), for even if their foot shakes from the right path because of their sins, Allah will keep them steady on it. Those who love the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) will eventually be taken to Paradise, and those who hate the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) will go to Hell.

(Ref: Bihar Al-Anwar 101:7-195.)