He was the Prophet’s first cousin, and one of the first Muslims. Tradition relates that Ja’far was the person who most resembled the Prophet in looks and in character. He was one of the companions who first emigrated from Mecca to Abyssinia. He came back at the conquest of Khaybar. When the Prophet saw him upon his return, he kissed him between the eyes and said: “I do not know for which to be happier: Jafar’s return or the conquest of Khaybar“.

The Prophet charged him with the deputy command of an army to attack Mu’tah in the region of Kerak. Before being killed at Mu’tah, Jafar’s right and left arms - in which he held the standard of Islam - were severed in combat. The Prophet had a vision of Ja’far in the highest paradise but with wings instead of arms.

He was the first companion to adopt Islam after Ali bin Abi Talib. Zeid was captured as a child from his mother and sold into slavery. The Prophet bought him in Mecca and gave him his freedom. Then the Prophet adopted him, Announcing: Zeid is my son. I inherit him and he inherits me.

Zeid was the Prophet’s chief military commander, and whenever he sent Zeid with an army he put him in charge. He was the Commander-in-chief of the Muslim forces at Battle of Mu’tah, and was martyred there at the age of fifty-five. The Prophet lamented his death to his companions with tears in his eyes, but saw him in the Highest Paradise, in the same vision that he saw Ja’far.

He was one of the early companions. He is remembered as a wild and fierce warrior who used to love combat and whose very name was enough to strike terror in the hearts of enemy. He too died during the great plague in the 18th year after the Hijra.

He was the maternal cousin of the Prophet and the brother of the famous general Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas. Their mother Amneh, swore to stay out in the sun until ‘Amer-who had converted to Islam-renounce his new faith, but he persisted*. According to some sources ‘Amer was the eleventh man to convert to Islam. He too died during the great plague.

Abu Dharr was one of the first companions to join Islam. He announced his Islam loudly and publicly and got beaten twice. He was tall, dark and thin and was known for his severity. The Prophet said of him “never did the earth hold or the sky shade someone more honest than him. He lives alone, dies alone and will be turmoil alone’. He died in the 31st year after Hijra.