Jabir Al Ansari (r.a.) With Imam Baqir (a.s.)

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) narrates from his father, Imam Mohammad al-Baqir (a.s.):

One day, I came to Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari and greeted him. He replied my salutations and because he was blind, he asked me to tell him who I was. I introduced myself: "I am Mohammad, son of Ali, son of Hussein."

He said: "O! The son of the best human being, come closer!" I went closer. He hugged me and kissed my hands and tried to kiss my feet. I pulled myself away and prevented him from doing so. He then continued: "The messenger of Allah , Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh), had told me to convey his greetings to you."

I replied: "Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah." I then asked: "Jabir, what is the story behind this?"

He said: "Once when I was in the presence of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh), he said to me, ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name is Mohammad, son of Ali, son of Hussein, to whom Allah has granted light and wisdom. So, send my greetings to him’."

Jabir ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Haram al-Ansari was a great companion of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh). He was amongst the companions of Badr. He was a participant in many of the battles of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh) and Imam Ali (a.s.). Jabir had always been a follower of Prophethood and Imamate. He never neglected the love and affection towards Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh) and Ahl al-Bait. The continuous efforts of him in introducing Amir al-Muminin (a.s.) and his respected children to the public were many. Furthermore, he was the first pilgrim of the shrine of Imam Hussein (a.s.) in Karbala. He became blind near the ends of his life and passed away at the age of 90 (in year 78 AH). It is narrated that he used to sit in the mosque of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh) and say: "O! Baqir, O! Splitter of knowledge." The people of Medina thought he had gone mad. Jabir used to say: "By Allah! I am not saying nonsense. I personally heard the Prophet saying: ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name and appearance is similar to mine. He will split the knowledge perfectly. So whenever you see him, send my greetings to him.’ So it is the Prophet’s saying, that has given me the impulse to say such words.