Mufti of Basrah22 and spent his life delivering legal opinions, teaching the Traditions of the Prophet, and transmitting his vast knowledge of Islam to his students. Since Jabir was a prominent Tabi'i (follower), his contribution to the growing Muslim community can be understood within the context of the part played by the class of al-Tabi'un (followers of the Companions), heritors of the Companions' direct knowledge and practice of Islam, which they transmitted to their students. Being a student closely associated with Ibn 'Abbas, who participated in most political activities of the Muslim community from his youth, Jabir was able to learn about the conflicting attitudes in the political activities which started with the civil strife during the Caliphate of 'Uthman, and ended with the ascendancy of Mu'awiyah.

Living in Basrah, one of the major centres of political activities, and being contemporary with the events of the lively period (28-93 A.H.), Jabir was able to form a clear understanding of the complicated course of the political and religious affairs of the growing Muslim community. As a result, he chose the most effective way to attain his aims. He kept himself apart from all Political activities and followed a very careful course in his relations with the 'Umayyad rulers. On the other hand, he devoted his time to teaching people Islam and formulating legal opinions on religious problems.

With regard to his way of life, Jabir led a pious and ascetic existence. He once said, "I asked of my God three things which He granted me; a good wife, a good riding camel and my daily bread upon which to live from day to day."23 Speaking about his wealth, Jabir told his companions, "I am the richest of all of you; I possess no dirham, nor do I owe any one a dirham."24 al-Hajjaj b. 'Uyaynah said, "Jabir b. Zaid used to visit us in our mosque; one day he came wearing an old pair of shoes and said, "Sixty years of my life have passed; these shoes of mine I like more than any other thing which is past, unless it be good work I have done."25 Muhammad b. Sirin said, "Abu al-Sha'tha' was pious.26 Simplicity and piety are the main attributes of Jabir's life.

Jabir's wide knowledge of the interpretation of the Qur'an and the Sunnah made him an outstanding figure in this field of knowledge, and he is described by the Traditionalists as reliable (thiqah).27 The only exception to this was a al-'Asili, who regarded him as weak (dha'if) Traditionalist, but his view was rejected by Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani.28 Apart from his regular students who studied Traditions and Futya with him, people used to come to him seeking his legal opinions on religious matters. Some of these opinions were written in the form of questions sent to him by friends outside Basrah. He is described as the most learned man in the field of Fatawa.29 Many of his students used to put down his legal opinions in writing, but Jabir was not in favour of recording his opinions in this way; On hearing of his students writing them down, Jabir