مسند احمد
Musnad Ahmad
مسند الأنصار رضي الله عنهمMusnad of the Ansar
حَدِيثُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَهُوَ حَدِيثُ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Hadith of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, which is the hadith of Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Hadith 22498
حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ ، حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ الْمَخْزُومِيِّ ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ ابْنَةِ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَتْ : لَمَّا نَزَلْنَا أَرْضَ الْحَبَشَةِ جَاوَرْنَا بِهَا خَيْرَ جَارٍ النَّجَاشِيَّ ، أَمَّنَّا عَلَى دِينِنَا وَعَبَدْنَا اللَّهَ تَعَالَى ، لَا نُؤْذَى ، وَلَا نَسْمَعُ شَيْئًا نَكْرَهُهُ ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ قُرَيْشًا ائْتَمَرُوا أَنْ يَبْعَثُوا إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فِينَا رَجُلَيْنِ جَلْدَيْنِ ، وَأَنْ يُهْدُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَا مِمَّا يُسْتَطْرَفُ مِنْ مَتَاعِ مَكَّةَ ، وَكَانَ مِنْ أَعْجَبِ مَا يَأْتِيهِ مِنْهَا إِلَيْهِ الْأَدَمُ ، فَجَمَعُوا لَهُ أَدَمًا كَثِيرًا ، وَلَمْ يَتْرُكُوا مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقًا إِلَّا أَهْدَوْا لَهُ هَدِيَّةً ، ثُمَّ بَعَثُوا بِذَلِكَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ الْمَخْزُومِيَّ ، وَعَمْرَو بْنَ الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ السَّهْمِيَّ ، وَأَمَرُوهُمَا أَمْرَهُمْ ، وَقَالُوا لَهُمَا : ادْفَعَا إِلَى كُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُكَلِّمُوا النَّجَاشِيَّ فِيهِمْ ، ثُمَّ قَدِّمُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَاهُ ، ثُمَّ سَلُوهُ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَهُمْ إِلَيْكُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُمْ , قَالَتْ : فَخَرَجَا ، فَقَدِمَا عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ ، وَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ وَخَيْرِ جَارٍ ، فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقٌ إِلَّا دَفَعَا إِلَيْهِ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَا النَّجَاشِيَّ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِكُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ مِنْهُمْ : إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَبَا إِلَى بَلَدِ الْمَلِكِ مِنَّا غِلْمَانٌ سُفَهَاءُ ، فَارَقُوا دِينَ قَوْمِهِمْ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ ، وَجَاءُوا بِدِينٍ مُبْتَدَعٍ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ ، وَقَدْ بَعَثَنَا إِلَى الْمَلِكِ فِيهِمْ أَشْرَافُ قَوْمِهِمْ لِنَرُدَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ ، فَإِذَا كَلَّمْنَا الْمَلِكَ فِيهِمْ ، فَأَشِيرُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَنْ يُسَلِّمَهُمْ إِلَيْنَا وَلَا يُكَلِّمَهُمْ ، فَإِنَّ قَوْمَهُمْ أَعْلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا ، وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ، فَقَالُوا لَهُمَا : نَعَمْ , ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمَا قَرَّبَا هَدَايَاهُمْ إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ ، فَقَبِلَهَا مِنْهُمَا ، ثُمَّ كَلَّمَاهُ ، فَقَالَا لَهُ : أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَبَا إِلَى بَلَدِكَ مِنَّا غِلْمَانٌ سُفَهَاءُ ، فَارَقُوا دِينَ قَوْمِهِمْ ، وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِكَ ، وَجَاءُوا بِدِينٍ مُبْتَدَعٍ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنْتَ ، وَقَدْ بَعَثَنَا إِلَيْكَ فِيهِمْ أَشْرَافُ قَوْمِهِمْ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَعْمَامِهِمْ وَعَشَائِرِهِمْ لِتَرُدَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ ، فَهُمْ أَعْلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا ، وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ وَعَاتَبُوهُمْ فِيهِ , قَالَتْ : وَلَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْءٌ أَبْغَضُ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ وَعَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْمَعَ النَّجَاشِيُّ كَلَامَهُمْ ، فَقَالَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ : صَدَقُوا أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ ، قَوْمُهُمْ أَعْلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا ، وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ، فَأَسْلِمْهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا فَلْيَرُدَّانِهِمْ إِلَى بِلَادِهِمْ وَقَوْمِهِمْ قَالَ : فَغَضِبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : لَا هَايْمُ اللَّهِ إِذًا لَا أُسْلِمَهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا ، وَلَا أَكَادُ قَوْمًا جَاوَرُونِي ، وَنَزَلُوا بِلَادِي ، وَاخْتَارُونِي عَلَى مَنْ سِوَايَ ، حَتَّى أَدْعُوَهُمْ ، فَأَسْأَلَهُمْ مَا يَقُولُ هَذَانِ فِي أَمْرِهِمْ ، فَإِنْ كَانُوا كَمَا يَقُولَانِ , أَسْلَمْتُهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا وَرَدَدْتُهُمْ إِلَى قَوْمِهِمْ ، وَإِنْ كَانُوا عَلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مَنَعْتُهُمْ مِنْهُمَا ، وَأَحْسَنْتُ جِوَارَهُمْ مَا جَاوَرُونِي , قَالَتْ : ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَى أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَدَعَاهُمْ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولُهُ ، اجْتَمَعُوا ، ثُمَّ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ : مَا تَقُولُونَ لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا جِئْتُمُوهُ ؟ قَالُوا : نَقُولُ : وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا أَمَرَنَا بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، كَائِنٌ فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فَلَمَّا جَاءُوهُ ، وَقَدْ دَعَا النَّجَاشِيُّ أَسَاقِفَتَهُ ، فَنَشَرُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حَوْلَهُ ، لِيَسْأَلَهُمْ ، فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا الدِّينُ الَّذِي فَارَقْتُمْ فِيهِ قَوْمَكُمْ ، وَلَمْ تَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِي ، وَلَا فِي دِينِ أَحَدٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَمِ ؟ قَالَتْ : فَكَانَ الَّذِي كَلَّمَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ : أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ ، كُنَّا قَوْمًا أَهْلَ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ نَعْبُدُ الْأَصْنَامَ ، وَنَأْكُلُ الْمَيْتَةَ ، وَنَأْتِي الْفَوَاحِشَ ، وَنَقْطَعُ الْأَرْحَامَ ، وَنُسِيءُ الْجِوَارَ ، يَأْكُلُ الْقَوِيُّ مِنَّا الضَّعِيفَ ، فَكُنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ حَتَّى " بَعَثَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا مِنَّا نَعْرِفُ نَسَبَهُ وَصِدْقَهُ وَأَمَانَتَهُ وَعَفَافَهُ ، فَدَعَانَا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى لِنُوَحِّدَهُ وَنَعْبُدَهُ وَنَخْلَعَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ نَحْنُ وَآبَاؤُنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ وَالْأَوْثَانِ ، وَأَمَرَ بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ ، وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ ، وَصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ ، وَحُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ ، وَالْكَفِّ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ وَالدِّمَاءِ ، وَنَهَانَا عَنِ الْفَوَاحِشِ ، وَقَوْلِ الزُّورِ ، وَأَكْلِ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ، وَقَذْفِ الْمُحْصَنَةِ ، وَأَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا ، وَأَمَرَنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ , قَالَ : فَعَدَّدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمُورَ الْإِسْلَامِ ، فَصَدَّقْنَاهُ وَآمَنَّا بِهِ ، وَاتَّبَعْنَاهُ عَلَى مَا جَاءَ بِهِ ، فَعَبَدْنَا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ ، فَلَمْ نُشْرِكْ بِهِ شَيْئًا ، وَحَرَّمْنَا مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْنَا ، وَأَحْلَلْنَا مَا أَحَلَّ لَنَا ، فَعَدَا عَلَيْنَا قَوْمُنَا ، فَعَذَّبُونَا فَفَتَنُونَا عَنْ دِينِنَا ، لِيَرُدُّونَا إِلَى عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ ، وَأَنْ نَسْتَحِلَّ مَا كُنَّا نَسْتَحِلُّ مِنَ الْخَبَائِثِ ، وَلَمَّا قَهَرُونَا وَظَلَمُونَا ، وَشَقُّوا عَلَيْنَا ، وَحَالُوا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ دِينِنَا ، خَرَجْنَا إِلَى بَلَدِكَ وَاخْتَرْنَاكَ عَلَى مَنْ سِوَاكَ ، وَرَغِبْنَا فِي جِوَارِكَ ، وَرَجَوْنَا أَنْ لَا نُظْلَمَ عِنْدَكَ ، أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ قَالَتْ : فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ : هَلْ مَعَكَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ عَنِ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ؟ قَالَتْ : فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرٌ : نَعَمْ , فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ : فَاقْرَأْهُ عَلَيَّ فَقَرَأَ عَلَيْهِ صَدْرًا مِنْ كهيعص قَالَتْ : فَبَكَى وَاللَّهِ النَّجَاشِيُّ حَتَّى أَخْضَلَ لِحْيَتَهُ ، وَبَكَتْ أَسَاقِفَتُهُ حَتَّى أَخْضَلُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حِينَ سَمِعُوا مَا تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّجَاشِيُّ : إِنَّ هَذَا وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَى لَيَخْرُجُ مِنْ مِشْكَاةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ ، انْطَلِقَا ، فَوَاللَّهِ لَا أُسْلِمُهُمْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَبَدًا ، وَلَا أَكَادُ , قَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا : فَلَمَّا خَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ ، قَالَ عَمْرُو بْنُ الْعَاصِ : وَاللَّهِ لَآتِيَنَّهُ غَدًا أَعِيبُهُمْ عِنْدَهُ ، ثُمَّ أَسْتَأْصِلُ بِهِ خَضْرَاءَهُمْ , قَالَتْ : فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ : وَكَانَ أَتْقَى الرَّجُلَيْنِ فِينَا لَا تَفْعَلْ ، فَإِنَّ لَهُمْ أَرْحَامًا ، وَإِنْ كَانُوا قَدْ خَالَفُونَا , قَالَ : وَاللَّهِ لَأُخْبِرَنَّهُ أَنَّهُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلَام عَبْدٌ , قَالَتْ : ثُمَّ غَدَا عَلَيْهِ الْغَدَ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ : أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ ، إِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ قَوْلًا عَظِيمًا ، فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَسَلْهُمْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ فِيهِ , قَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ : فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ يَسْأَلُهُمْ عَنْهُ ، قَالَتْ : وَلَمْ يَنْزِلْ بِنَا مِثْلُهَا ، فَاجْتَمَعَ الْقَوْمُ ، فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ : مَاذَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى إِذَا سَأَلَكُمْ عَنْهُ ؟ قَالُوا : نَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ فِيهِ مَا قَالَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى ، وَمَا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، كَائِنًا فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ ، فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ ، قَالَ لَهُمْ : مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ؟ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ : نَقُولُ فِيهِ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ " هُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ ، وَرُوحُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ الْعَذْرَاءِ الْبَتُولِ " , قَالَتْ : فَضَرَبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ ، فَأَخَذَ مِنْهَا عُودًا ، ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا عَدَا عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَا قُلْتَ هَذَا الْعُودَ فَتَنَاخَرَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ حِينَ قَالَ مَا قَالَ ، فَقَالَ : وَإِنْ نَخَرْتُمْ وَاللَّهِ ، اذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمْ سُيُومٌ بِأَرْضِي ، وَالسُّيُومُ الْآمِنُونَ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غَرِمَ ، ثُمَّ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غَرِمَ ، ثُمَّ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غَرِمَ ، فَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي دَبْرَ ذَهَبٍ ، وَأَنِّي آذَيْتُ رَجُلًا مِنْكُمْ وَالدَّبْرُ بِلِسَانِ الْحَبَشَةِ الْجَبَلُ ، رُدُّوا عَلَيْهِمَا هَدَايَاهُمَا ، فَلَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا بِهَا ، فَوَاللَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِنِّي الرِّشْوَةَ حِينَ رَدَّ عَلَيَّ مُلْكِي ، فَآخُذَ الرِّشْوَةَ فِيهِ ، وَمَا أَطَاعَ فِيَّ النَّاسَ ، فَأُطِيعَهُمْ فِيهِ قَالَتْ : فَخَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ مَقْبُوحَيْنِ مَرْدُودًا عَلَيْهِمَا مَا جَاءَا بِهِ ، وَأَقَمْنَا عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ مَعَ خَيْرِ جَارٍ , قَالَتْ : فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِذْ نَزَلَ بِهِ يَعْنِي مَنْ يُنَازِعُهُ فِي مُلْكِهِ ، قَالَتْ : فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا حُزْنًا قَطُّ كَانَ أَشَدَّ مِنْ حُزْنٍ حَزِنَّاهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ تَخَوُّفًا أَنْ يَظْهَرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ ، فَيَأْتِيَ رَجُلٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ مِنْ حَقِّنَا مَا كَانَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَعْرِفُ مِنْهُ ، قَالَتْ : وَسَارَ النَّجَاشِيُّ وَبَيْنَهُمَا عُرْضُ النِّيلِ ، قَالَت : فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مَنْ رَجُلٌ يَخْرُجُ حَتَّى يَحْضُرَ وَقْعَةَ الْقَوْمِ ، ثُمَّ يَأْتِيَنَا بِالْخَبَرِ ؟ قَالَتْ : فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ بْنُ الْعَوَّامِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَا ، قَالَتْ : وَكَانَ مِنْ أَحْدَثِ الْقَوْمِ سِنًّا ، قَالَتْ : فَنَفَخُوا لَهُ قِرْبَةً ، فَجَعَلَهَا فِي صَدْرِهِ ، ثُمَّ سَبَحَ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى خَرَجَ إِلَى نَاحِيَةِ النِّيلِ الَّتِي بِهَا مُلْتَقَى الْقَوْمِ ، ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ حَتَّى حَضَرَهُمْ ، قَالَتْ : وَدَعَوْنَا اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ بِالظُّهُورِ عَلَى عَدُوِّهِ ، وَالتَّمْكِينِ لَهُ فِي بِلَادِهِ ، وَاسْتَوْثَقَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُ الْحَبَشَةِ ، فَكُنَّا عِنْدَهُ فِي خَيْرِ مَنْزِلٍ حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ بِمَكَّةَ .
It is narrated from Umm al-Mu'mineen, Hazrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), that when we arrived in the land of Abyssinia, we found the best neighbor in the form of "Najashi." We found peace regarding our religion; we worshipped Allah in such a way that no one would trouble us, and we would not hear any unpleasant thing. When the Quraysh heard of this, they consulted and decided to send two strong men of the Quraysh to Najashi with rare and precious gifts. In their eyes, the most excellent and valuable thing was "leather." So they collected a lot of leather and gathered gifts for every chief of Najashi as well. They entrusted all these things to Abdullah bin Abi Rabi'ah and Amr bin al-As, explained everything to them, and said: Before speaking to Najashi about them, deliver each chief his gift. Then present the gifts and offerings to Najashi, and before he speaks to those people, request him to hand them over to you.
These two set out from Makkah and reached Najashi. Until then, we were living among the best neighbors and in the best residence. Before speaking to Najashi, they gave gifts to each of his chiefs and said to each one: Some foolish young men from our people have come to the king of Abyssinia's land, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion themselves, which neither we know nor you. Now, the honorable people of our nation have sent us so that we may bring them back. When we speak to His Majesty the King about them, you also advise him that the King should hand them over to us without any conversation with them, because the eyes of their people are deeper, and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them. Upon this, all the chiefs assured them of their cooperation.
After that, both of them presented their gifts to Najashi, which he accepted. Then they said to him: Your Majesty! Some foolish young men from our country have come to your city, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion themselves, which neither you know nor we know. Now, some honorable people from their nation—including their fathers, uncles, and family members—have sent us to you so that you may hand them over to us, because their eyes are deeper and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them.
At that time, the most disliked thing in their eyes was that Najashi might be willing to listen to us. Meanwhile, the chiefs present with him also said: Your Majesty! These people are telling the truth. The eyes of their people are deeper, and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them. Therefore, you should hand these people over to them so that they may take them back to their city and people.
At this, Najashi became angry and said: No, by God! I cannot hand over a people who have accepted to be my neighbors, have come to my country, and have preferred me over others. I will first call them and ask them about what these two are saying about them. If they are as these two say, I will hand them over to them and send them back to their city and people. But if it is not so, then I will not hand them over to them; rather, I will prove myself to be a good neighbor.
After that, Najashi sent a message and called the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). When the messenger came to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), they gathered together and consulted about what to say when they reached the king. Then they decided among themselves that we will say only what we know or what the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has commanded us; whatever happens, we will see. So these gentlemen went to Najashi. Najashi had also called his priests, and they were sitting before him with the heavenly books and scriptures open. Najashi asked them: What is that religion for which you have abandoned the religion of your people, have not entered my religion, nor adopted the religion of any other nation?
At this moment, Hazrat Ja'far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke and said: Your Majesty! We were ignorant people; we used to worship idols, eat carrion, commit acts of indecency, sever ties of kinship, and mistreat neighbors...
These two set out from Makkah and reached Najashi. Until then, we were living among the best neighbors and in the best residence. Before speaking to Najashi, they gave gifts to each of his chiefs and said to each one: Some foolish young men from our people have come to the king of Abyssinia's land, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion themselves, which neither we know nor you. Now, the honorable people of our nation have sent us so that we may bring them back. When we speak to His Majesty the King about them, you also advise him that the King should hand them over to us without any conversation with them, because the eyes of their people are deeper, and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them. Upon this, all the chiefs assured them of their cooperation.
After that, both of them presented their gifts to Najashi, which he accepted. Then they said to him: Your Majesty! Some foolish young men from our country have come to your city, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion themselves, which neither you know nor we know. Now, some honorable people from their nation—including their fathers, uncles, and family members—have sent us to you so that you may hand them over to us, because their eyes are deeper and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them.
At that time, the most disliked thing in their eyes was that Najashi might be willing to listen to us. Meanwhile, the chiefs present with him also said: Your Majesty! These people are telling the truth. The eyes of their people are deeper, and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them. Therefore, you should hand these people over to them so that they may take them back to their city and people.
At this, Najashi became angry and said: No, by God! I cannot hand over a people who have accepted to be my neighbors, have come to my country, and have preferred me over others. I will first call them and ask them about what these two are saying about them. If they are as these two say, I will hand them over to them and send them back to their city and people. But if it is not so, then I will not hand them over to them; rather, I will prove myself to be a good neighbor.
After that, Najashi sent a message and called the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). When the messenger came to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), they gathered together and consulted about what to say when they reached the king. Then they decided among themselves that we will say only what we know or what the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has commanded us; whatever happens, we will see. So these gentlemen went to Najashi. Najashi had also called his priests, and they were sitting before him with the heavenly books and scriptures open. Najashi asked them: What is that religion for which you have abandoned the religion of your people, have not entered my religion, nor adopted the religion of any other nation?
At this moment, Hazrat Ja'far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke and said: Your Majesty! We were ignorant people; we used to worship idols, eat carrion, commit acts of indecency, sever ties of kinship, and mistreat neighbors...
