Ja`far ibn Abi Talib was one of the great Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Prophet’s cousin. He was one of the earliest converts to Islam. He was sent as the commander of the expedition of Mu’tah; he died as a martyr after having fought most valiantly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave glad tidings that he had seen Ja`far in a vision flying with two wings in the company of angels in the meadows of Paradise; hence the nickname At-Tayyar (the flier).
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Ja`far At-Tayyar is none other than the Prophet’s cousin, son of his uncle Abu Talib and brother of `Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph. Ja`far was ten years senior to `Ali. He belonged to the same clan as that of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), namely, Banu Hashim.
Ja`far was one of the earliest converts to Islam. He immigrated to Abyssinia by the order of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He was the spokesman for the Muslim delegation in the court of Emperor Najashi (the Negus). The latter was impressed by his presentation of Islam; accordingly, he granted the Muslims very cordial and respectable treatment.
Ja`far returned to Madinah in the aftermath of the Khaybar expedition and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was overjoyed to see him and welcomed him most warmly. He was sent as the commander of the expedition of Mu’tah; he died as a martyr after having fought most valiantly. His incredible feats in the battle of Mu’tah were conveyed instantly by Jibreel to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Prophet narrated the same to the Companions. He also gave Ja`far’s family and friends the glad tidings that he had seen Ja`far in a vision flying with two wings in the company of angels in the meadows of Paradise; hence the nickname Ja`far At-Tayyar (Ja`far the flier).
May Allah be pleased with Ja`far, the great Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who is truly an exemplary hero and role model for Muslims. Ameen.