Abdullah al-Aftah ibn Ja’far al-Sadiq was the eldest surviving son of Ja’far al-Sadiq, and the full-brother of Isma’il ibn Jafar. Abdullah’s title “al-Aftah” derives from the Arabic words “aftah al-ra’s” (broad-headed) or “aftah al-rijlayn” (broad-footed) used to describe his appearance.

During the lifetime of his father, Abdullah al-Aftah had supported the revolt of his relative Muhammad ibn Abdallah An-Nafs Az-Zakiyya.

About his father, Imam Ja´far al-Sadiq
His father, Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq born in 702 CE or 17th Rabi al-Awwal 83 H is said to be highly respected for his great Islamic scholarship, pious character, and academic contributions. As a child, Ja’far Al-Sadiq studied under his grandfather, Zayn al-Abidin. After his grandfather’s death, he studied under and accompanied his father, Muhammad al-Baqir, until Muhammad al-Baqir died in 733.

Ja’far Al-Sadiq became well versed in Islamic sciences, including Hadith, Sunnah, and the Qur’an. In addition to his knowledge of Islamic sciences, Ja’far Al-Sadiq was also an adept in natural sciences, mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, anatomy, alchemy and other subjects.

The foremost Islamic alchemist, Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan, known in Europe as Geber, was Ja’far Al-Sadiq’s most prominent student. Ja’far Al-Sadiq was known for his liberal views on learning, and was keen to have discourse with Scholars of other views.

Abū Ḥanīfa was an Islamic scholar and Jurist. He was a student of Ja’far Al-Sadiq, as was Imam Malik ibn Anas, who quotes 12 hadiths from Imam Jafar Sadiq in his famous Al-Muwatta.