Loyal Companion: Janabe Abuzar e Gaffari (ra)

“The green sky has not shaded and the dusty earth has not borne the weight of any speaker more truthful than Abu Dharr.” These were the words of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a). (Hayat Al-Qulub Vol. 2)

Abu Zar was the second most important companion of the Prophet. His name, according to the most reliable report was Jundab bin Junadah, and his agnomen was Abu Zar. He was a member of the Arab tribe of Bani Ghiffar.

Story of his conversion: 

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s) said that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) told one of his companions about the story of the conversion of Abu Zar to Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) said: He used to graze his sheep at Abu Batan Markah, which is at a distance of one station from Mecca. Suddenly a wolf attacked his flock from the right and Abu Zar chased him away with his staff. Then he attacked from the left and Abu Zar striked it with his staff and said: I have not seen a worse wolf than you. The wolf began to speak by the miracle of the Prophet: By Allah, the people of Mecca are worse than me. The Almighty Allah sent a messenger to them and they say that he is a liar. They call him names and consider him incapable. When Abu Zar heard this, he told his wife to pack some provisions, pot and staff.

Taking these items he set out for Mecca on foot to investigate the information he had received from the wolf. Thus after many hardships and a long distance he at last entered Mecca. He was feeling extremely thirsty. On reaching the Zamzam well, he pulled out a bucket of water and saw that the bucket was full of milk. He thought that it was a proof of what the wolf had said.
And it was also a miracle of the Prophet. Thus he drank the milk and came to a corner of the mosque. He found a group of Quraish and sat down with them. They were talking ill of the Prophet as the wolf had mentioned. They were occupied in this whole day. In the evening, Abu Talib arrived and when they saw him, they said: Keep quiet, Muhammad’s uncle is here!” So they fell silent. When Abu Talib arrived, they began to converse with him.

After dusk when Abu Talib took their leave, Abu Zar also followed him. He turned to me and asked: “What do you want?” “I am searching for the Prophet who has appeared among you,” I said. “What do you want from him?” he asked. I said: “I want to start believing in him, testify to his truthfulness and follow him.” Abu Talib asked, “Will you really do this?” “Doubtlessly,” said I.
So he said: “Come tomorrow at the same time and I will take you to him.” Abu Zar says that he spent the night in the holy mosque of Mecca and joined the gathering of the same infidels in the morning. Like the previous day, they again began to talk ill of the Messenger of Allah (S) and when Abu Talib arrived, they stopped their discussions and began to converse with him.

Thus when Abu Talib arose from there I also set out with him. Like the previous day he again asked the same question and I replied in the same way. Then he asked with emphasis if I would indeed act on what I was saying and I agreed. So he took me to a house in which Hamza was present. I greeted him and he asked the purpose of my visit. I gave the same explanation.

So he asked me if I testified to the Oneness of Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah? I said: I testify that there is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Hamza took me to the house in which there was Ja’far Tayyar. I greeted him and he also asked the purpose of my visit. I again offered the same explanation. He told me to recite the two testimonies (Shahadatain) and I recited the same.

Ja’far took me to the house of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and he also first asked about the purpose of my visit and then asked me to recite the dual formula of faith. Then he took me to the house in which the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) was seated. I greeted him and took my seat. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) also asked me about the purpose of my visit and then taught me the dual Kalimah (Shahadatain).

I recited the same and the Prophet said: O Abu Zar, go back to your native place and by the time you reach there, your cousin would have passed away from the world and except for you there will no heir. Take his property and live with your family, till the time I declare my prophethood. After that you can join me. So Abu Zar returned home to find that the son of his uncle had expired.

He took charge of all his property and continued to live there till the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) migrated to Medina and the religion of Islam gained popularity. After that he came to Medina and met the Prophet. (Hayat Al-Qulub Vol. 1)

Traditions Mentioning His Virtues:

Janabe Fatima (s.a) held Abuzar in high regard and at opportune moments praised him and introduced him as a confidante of the Household of Prophethood and Imamate. One day she mentioned her meeting with three beautiful, jovial and perfumed girls, who were Houris of Heaven and devotees of Hazrat Zahra (s.a). She inquired their names. While introducing themselves, the second girl called Zorat said that God had intended her for Abuzar.(Rayahin Ash Shariah, Vol. 1, p. 135.)

Imam Ja'far as- Sadiq (a.s) said that my grandmother Hazrat Fatima (SA) said to Imam Ali (AS): "Upon my death, don't inform anyone but Umme Salama and Fizza among the women and in addition to my two sons, Hassan and Hussain, inform Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib, Salman Farsi, Ammar, Abuzar and Huzaifah among men." (Tarikh at Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 30)

Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.s) also said that there are ten stages of faith. He added that Salman was on the tenth stage, Abu Dharr on the ninth, and Miqdad on the eighth stage! (Ain-Al Hayat, The Essence of Life)

Moreover it is also narrated that Amirul Momineen (a.s) said: Abu Zar has obtained some such sciences which people cannot bear and he has placed some knots over it, so that nothing comes out of it. (Hayat Al-Qulub Vol. 1)

Abu Dharr, the Oppressed

Reliable histories are witness that during the Second Caliphate Abu Dharr was banished to Syria. There, Abu Dharr started publicly criticizing Emir of Syria for his actions, which were contrary to the norms of Islam. He also continued to eulogize Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) in public. In the meantime the third caliph assumed power when the Emir of Syria (Mu’awiah) wrote to him complaining about Abu Dharr. He also mentioned in his letter that Abu Dharr was critical even of the Caliph. Orders were passed that Abu Dharr be sent to the capital expressly.

There the Caliph banished him to that area which he disliked the most, al-Rabadha. Abu Dhar disliked al-Rabathah because he worshipped the idols there during the pre-Islamic period.

Janab Muhammad Yaqub Kulaini (AR) writes that at the time of the departure of Abu Dharr from Medina, Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as), Imam Husayn (as), Imam Hasan (as), Aqeel and Ammar went for some distance with him and advised him to be patient. Imam Husayn (as) told him, “O Uncle! The enemy wanted to deprive you of your Faith, but he didn’t succeed! But in the bargain he has lost his own Faith. Allah shall reward you in abundance!”

Abu Dharr Ghiffari reached Rabdha, and lived a lonely existence. He had neither friend nor helper. He had a few sheep in the beginning that died in time. His sons succumbed to the harsh environment of the place and his wife too died. Only one daughter remained with him.
For three long days Abu Dharr remained without any food or sustenance in the desert. He put his head on a mound of sand and expired. Only his four-year-old daughter remained. The child started crying and shouting for help when a caravan of men arrived there. The girl recalling her father’s last wish told to the new arrivals, “O travelers! The companion of the Prophet (S) has died and his body is lying for two days without a shroud and grave!”

The daughter of Abu Dharr says that she remained near the grave of her father and continued to offer prayers and fasting, as did the father. She witnessed in her dream one night that Abu Dharr was reciting the Holy Qur’an in his nightly prayers. She asked him, “O father! How has Allah treated you?” He replied, “My daughter! I have arrived in the presence of my Allah. He is happy with me and I am contented. He has given me many bounties. O daughter! Do good deeds and don’t let pride overwhelm you.” (Ain-Al Hayat, The Essence of Life)

Finally, we pray to Allah (swt),

O God, and as for the Companions of Muhammad specifically, those who did well in companionship, who stood the good test in helping him, responded to him when he made them hear his messages' argument, separated from mates and children in manifesting his word, fought against fathers and sons in strengthening his prophecy, and through him gained victory; those who were wrapped in affection for him, hoping for a commerce that comes not to naught in love for him; those who were left by their clans when they clung to his handhold and denied by their kinsfolk when they rested in the shadow of his kinship; forget not, O God, what they abandoned for Thee and in Thee, and make them pleased with Thy good pleasure for the sake of the creatures they drove to Thee while they were with Thy Messenger, summoners to Thee for Thee.

(Imam Zayn al-'Abidin , Sahifa al-Kamilah

The companions of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.)

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَ يُثَبِّتْ أَقْدامَكُم‏

“O you who believe ! if you help (the cause of) Allah, He will help you and make firm your feet.” (Surah Mohammed 47 : 7)

As we glance through the pages of history, we realize that the tortures of the Bani Abbas caliphs only went on increasing. And as they realized that the advent promised Mahdi is near, they became more cautious over keeping an eye on Imams (a). The tyrant ruler Mutawakkil (la) forced Imam Hadi (a) to migrate from Madina to Samarra so that he can be kept under house arrest. The same fate followed Imam Hasan Askari (a) as well who was under house arrest in Samarra. However, despite being very vigilant about the activities of Imam Askari (a), history has recorded more than 100 companions of Imam.

For the lovers of Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) the pleasure of visiting the house of Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) in Samarra is indeed incomparable to any other pleasure. Visiting the blessed graves of Imam Askariain (a.s.) is very close to their hearts despite all the danger associated to this visit. And this has been the case always. We see in history that during the lifetime of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) the companions of imam Hasan Askari ( a.s ) use to disguise themselves as cloth sellers or oil merchants etc and risk their lives for the love of the beloved imam and for the sheer desire to visit the imam (a.s.)

In this article we shall mention and discuss a few of them.

1.    Abu Ali Ahmad bin Ishaaq bin Abdullah bin Sa’d bin Malik bin al-Ahwas al-Ash’ari al-Qummi

His role as a scholar

He was the deputy of the people of Qum. He narrated traditions from Imam Mohammad Taqi (a) and Imam Ali Naqi (a). He was from the close companions of Imam Hasan Askari (a). He had written some books such as ‘Ilal as-Sawm: causes of fasting’ and ‘Masa’ilar-Rijal: questions of men’ which he had collected from Imam Reza (a). Sheikh at-Toosi said he was one from those who had met Imam Mahdi (a) (Ref: RijalToosi)

Gifts for him

Muhammad bin Ahmed bin as-Salt al-Qummi wrote a letter to Imam (a.s.) and mentioned in it the story of Ahmed bin Isaaq al-Qummi and his companionship. He mentioned that he wanted to perform the hajj and needed one thousand dinars. He said in the letter, ‘If my master sees that he orders to lend him this amount and get it back from him in his country when he comes back, I shall do (give him the money).’ The imam (a) replied, ‘It is a gift from us to him and when he comes back, he will get another gift from us (Ref: RijalKashi) This story showed his faith and the respect of the Imam (a) towards him.

Abu Ali Ahmed ibne Ishaq once requested Imam Askari ( a.s ) to give him a specimen of his handwriting so that whenever he receives a letter from him (a.s.), he could verify its authenticity. Imam (a.s.) told him that beware that the writing varies due to the coarseness and thickness of pen and should not confuse him. Imam (a.s.) then started to write a sample letter. Abu Ali started thinking in his heart that how nice it would have been if Imam (a.s.) would give him his pen so that he could seek blessing from it and benefit from the pen of Imam (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) after finishing the letter engaged in discussion with Abu Ali, upon seeking farewell Imam (a.s.) told Abu Ali to take the pen with him. (Shagirdaane Maktabe Aimmah (a.s.) by Mohammed Ali Aalami)

How nice a gift this great companion received from Imam ( a.s ), from the Imam (a.s.) who knew what was in his heart. May Allah give us this taufeeq that we also intend to seek and received such tabarruk from Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) which can be used for protecting the shias of Ahle Bait ( a.s ).

He visited Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)

Abdullah bin Ja’far al-Himyari said, ‘Once, Sheikh Abu Amr (may Allah have mercy on him) and I met Ahmad bin Isaaq, who made a sign to me to ask Abu Amr about the Successor (Imam Mahdi). I said to him, ‘O Abu Amr, I want to ask you about something that I have no doubt about.’ He said, ‘Ask about what you want!’ I said to him, ‘Did you see the Successor after Abu Muhammad (a)?’ He said, ‘By Allah, yes.’ (Ref: Al-Kafi, chp of Hujjat)

He is one of the honorable persons to meet Imam Mahdi (a) on more than one accession (Ref: NajmusSaqib)

The final journey

Once while returning from Samarra Abu Ali seeked farewell from Imam (a.s.) and requested that he wants to meet Imam (a.s.) again. Imam (a.s.) propheciesed that he would pass to the next world on his way back home at the bridge of dhiaab. Indeed this is a great reward that Hazrat informs his servants the place and time of death. Not just this but Imam (a.s.) himself by tayyul arz reached Halwan at the bridge of Dhiaab and gave ghusl and kafan to Abu Ali. Abu Ali is buried close to the bridge above the river of Dhiaab on the way to Baakhtaran at Baghdad. (Shagirdaane Maktabe Aimmah (a.s.) by Mohammed Ali Aalami)

2.    Dawud bin al-Qassim

He was known as Abu Hashim al-Ja’fari. He was one of the eminent Muslims and one of the famous scholars in religion. His lineage belonged to the eternal martyr in Islam Ja’far bin Abu Talib at-Ţayyar. He was the son of al-Qassim bin Isaaq bin Abdullah bin Ja’farand there was no lineage more than this noble lineage at all.

Abu Hashim was very loyal to the infallible imams (a). He met Imam Reza, Imam Jawad, Imam Hadi and Imam Hasan Askari (a). He devoted himself to them. He composed good poetry on praising them.Abu Hashim had a high position near the imams whom he was contemporary with. Once, Imam al-Hadi (a) said to him, ‘O Abu Hashim, which blessing of Allah you want to be grateful for? Allah has endowed you with faith that saves your body from Fire, endowed you with soundness that helps you in obedience, and endowed you with satisfaction that keeps you away from degradation.

All classes of the society highly regarded Abu Hashim. Biographers said about him, ‘He was preferred by rulers. He was pious, devoted, ascetic, knowledgeable, and active. No one of the Talibites at his time was like him in his high lineage. He died in Jumadi al-Ula in 261 AH a year after the death of Imam Hasan Askari (a)

Abu Hashim's sheer love for Imam Hadi (a.s ) made him complain once to Imam (a.s.) that he and his horse had become old and there was not enough pasture on the way to samarra for his old horse to feed upon hence he was not able to frequent to Samarra to visit Imam ( a.s ). In return Imam ( a.s ) prayed for him and his horse after which his horse became so strong that Abu Hashim would leave baghdad at morning and would recite zohar prayers at Samarra and would reach back baghdad by evening after meeting Imam ( a.s ). (Shagirdaane Maktabe Aimmah (a.s.) by Mohammed Ali Aalami)

There is a lot, we can ask too from our Imam of the time with regards to our strength in working for Imam (a.s.)

3.    Abdul Azeem ibn Abdillah al-Hassani

He belonged to the pure progeny of Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a). He was the son of Abdullah bin Ali bin al-Hasan bin Zayd bin Imam Hasan (a). Sheikh at-Toosi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Askari's companions. (Ref: RijalToosi) An-Najashi mentioned that Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi said, ‘Abdul Azeem came to Rey escaping from the ruler. He lived in a vault in a house of one of the Shia in Sikkat al-Mawali. He worshipped Allah in that vault; fasting the day and spending the night in praying and supplicating. He went out in disguise to visit the tomb that was opposite to his tomb (later on). He said that it was a tomb of one of the sons of Imam Musa bin Ja’far (a). He remained living in that vault and his news moved from one to another of the Shia until most of them knew him. Once, a man from the Shia saw in sleep that the Messenger of Allah (s) said to him, ‘A man from my progeny shall be carried from Sikkat al-Mawali and buried near the apple tree in the garden of Abdul Jabbar bin Abdul Wahab’ and he pointed to the place. The man went to buy the tree and its place from its owner. The owner asked him, ‘What for do you want to buy the tree and its place?’ The man told him about his dream, and then the owner of the tree remembered that he also had seen such a dream and entailed the place of the tree and all the garden on the Sharif and the Shia to be buried in. Abdul Azeem became ill and then died. When he was to be washed, a piece of paper was found in his pocket written in it his noble lineage.

Shah Abdul Azeemwas a knowledgeable jurisprudent. Abu Hammadar-Razi said, ‘Once, I went to Ali bin Muhammad an-Naqi (a) in Surra Man Ra’a. I asked him about some questions of halal and haram and he answered me. When I wanted to leave him, he said to me, ‘O Hammad, if something of your religion is dubious to you, ask Abdul Azeem bin Abdullah al-Hasani about it and give him my best regards (Ref: Mu'jamRijal al-Hadith, Vol. 10 Pg. 53)

It is mentioned in KaamiluzZiyaraat, Pg. 354 (English) that a man went to Imam Hadi (a) and he asked me, “Where are you coming from?” I replied, “I went to the Ziyarat of Imam Husain (a.s.).” Imam (a) said, “If you had gone to the Ziyarat of the grave of Abdul Azeem who is buried near you, you would have been like one has gone to the Ziyarat of Imam Husain (a).

4.    Ali bin Ja’far al-Humani al-Barmaki

Al-Barqi mentioned him as one of Imam Mohammed Taqi (a) and Imam Hasan Askari's companions (RijalBarki) Sheikh at-Toosi said, ‘He was a good, benevolent man from the agents of Abul Hasan and Abu Muhammad (a) (Ref: Al-Ghaybah)

Abu Ja’far al-Umari said, ‘Once, Abu Tahir bin Bilal went to perform the hajj and he saw Ali bin Ja’far spend too much money. When he went back, he wrote to Imam Askari (a) about that and Imam replied to him: ‘We have ordered to give him one hundred thousand dinars and then another one hundred thousand dinars but he refused to take them so that we would keep them for people. He went to Abul Hasan (a) and he ordered to give him thirty thousand dinars.

Al-Kashshi mentioned that Yousuf bin as-Sakht said, ‘Ali bin Ja’far was one of the deputies of Imam al-Hadi (a). One day, he was betrayed near Mutawakkil (la) who threw him in prison. He remained in prison for a long time and he could not bear longer. Therefore, he asked an agent of the Abbasid government to intercede for him to be set free and he would give him three thousand dinars for that. The agent went to Ubaydillah, who had a good position near Mutawakkil (la), and asked him to intercede with Mutawakkil(la) for Ali bin Ja’far. Ubaydillah responded to him and interceded with Mutawakkil (la) to set Ali bin Ja’far free, but Mutawakkil (la) refused and said to him, ‘If I doubted you, I would say you are a Rafidhi (Shia). This is a deputy of Abul Hasan al-Hadi and I have determined to kill him.’

Ubaydillah regretted his intercession and told his friend (the agent) that Mutawakkil (la) had determined to kill Ali bin Ja’far and there was no chance for setting him free. Ali bin Ja’far became so distressed and wrote a letter to Imam al-Hadi (a) saying to him, ‘O my master, please do something for me! I fear I may lose my faith.’ Imam al-Hadi (a) replied to him, ‘Since the matter has reached this point with you, I will pray Allah for you.’

Mutawakkil (la) became seriously ill and his fever increased. Therefore, he ordered his men to set free all prisoners and gave a special order to set Ali bin Ja’far free. Mutawakkil (la) ordered Ubaydillah to set Ali free and to beg him to forgive him for what he had done to him. Ali was set free and went to live in Mecca as Imam al-Hadi (a) had ordered him. (Ref: RijalKashi)

Al-Kashi mentioned in the biography of Faris bin Hatim al-Qazwini that there was a dispute between Ali bin Ja’far and Faris, and that Ibrahim bin Muhammad wrote to Imam Hadi (a) telling him about that and asking him to show him which of them he should follow. Imam Hadi (a) replied to him saying, “It should not be asked about one like this man and he should never be doubted. The position of Ali bin Ja’far is so great to us. May Allah please us with him. He is far above to be compared with others. Go to Ali bin Ja’far to satisfy your needs, and fear Faris and do not let him interfere in your affairs. Let you and those who follow you from the people of your country do that. I have been informed of what he (Faris) misrepresented to people. Do not pay attention to him Inshallah(Ref: RijalKashi)

This letter shows that this man was so faithful that the imam (a.s.) had appointed him as an authority for the Shia.

Other notable companions that we have not discussed in detail are

5.    Abu Isaaq Ibrahim bin Mahziyar al-Ahwazi

6.    Muhammad bin al-Hasan as-Saffar (Author of BasaerudDarajaat)

7.    Abu AmrUsman bin Sa’eed al-Amriaz-Zayyat (1^st special representative of Imam Mahdi (atfs))

8.    Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Usman al-Amri(2^ndspecial representative of Imam Mahdi (atfs))

May Allah give us the Taufeeq of being among the servants, if not companions of Imam Mahdi (a)

The above article has been majorly taken from the book ‘Life History of Imam Hasan Askari’ by Baqir Sharif, who in turn has given references of books like RijalKashi, RijalToosi, RijalBarqi and a few others.