The Prophet ﷺ announced the deaths of Zayd, Jafar, and Ibn Rawahah to the people before any news of them had arrived. He said, "Zayd took the banner and was struck down, then Jafar took it and was struck down, then Ibn Rawahah took it and was struck down," with tears flowing from his eyes, "until one of the swords of Allah took up the banner, and Allah granted them victory."
أن النبي ﷺ نعى زيدا وجعفرا، وابن رواحة للناس قبل أن يأتيهم خبرهم، فقال: أخذ الراية زيد فأصيب، ثم أخذ جعفر فأصيب، ثم أخذ ابن رواحة فأصيب، وعيناه تذرفان: حتى أخذ الراية سيف من سيوف الله، حتى فتح الله عليهم.