مسند احمد
Musnad Ahmad
مسند اهل البيت رضوان الله عليهم اجمعينMusnad of Ahl al-Bayt
حَدِیث جَعفَرِ بنِ اَبِی طَالِب رَضِیَ اللَّه عَنه وَهوَ حَدِیث الهجرة
Hadith of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), which is the hadith of the migration
Hadith 1740
(حديث مرفوع) حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ ، حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ 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 , أَمِنَّا عَلَى دِينِنَا ، وَعَبَدْنَا اللَّهَ 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 مَعَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَبْدِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ الْمَخْزُومِيِّ ، وَعَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ السَّهْمِيِّ ، وَأَمَرُوهُمَا أَمْرَهُمْ ، وَقَالُوا لَهُمَا : ادْفَعَا إِلَى كُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُكَلِّمُوا النَّجَاشِيَّ فِيهِمْ ، ثُمَّ قَدِّمُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَاهُ ، ثُمَّ سَلُوهُ أَنْ يُسْلِمَهُمْ إِلَيْكُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُمْ ، قَالَتْ : فَخَرَجَا ، فَقَدِمَا عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ ، وَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ ، وَعِنْدَ خَيْرِ جَارٍ ، فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقٌ إِلَّا دَفَعَا إِلَيْهِ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَا النَّجَاشِيَّ ، ثُمَّ قَالَا : 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 ، فَتُشِيرُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَنْ يُسْلِمَهُمْ إِلَيْنَا ، وَلَا يُكَلِّمَهُمْ ، فَإِنَّ قَوْمَهُمْ أَعَلَى 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 أَعَلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا ، وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ، وَعَاتَبُوهُمْ فِيهِ ، قَالَتْ : وَلَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْءٌ أَبْغَضَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ ، وَعَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ ، مِنْ أَنْ يَسْمَعَ النَّجَاشِيُّ كَلَامَهُمْ ، فَقَالَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ : صَدَقُوا أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ ، قَوْمُهُمْ أَعَلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا ، وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ، فَأَسْلِمْهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا ، فَلْيَرُدَّاهُمْ إِلَى بِلَادِهِمْ وَقَوْمِهِمْ ، قَالَتْ : فَغَضِبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : لَا هُم اللَّهِ ايْمُ اللَّهِ إِذَنْ لَا أُسْلِمُهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا ، وَلَا أُكَادُ قَوْمًا جَاوَرُونِي ، وَنَزَلُوا بِلَادِي ، وَاخْتَارُونِي عَلَى مَنْ سِوَايَ ، حَتَّى أَدْعُوَهُمْ فَأَسْأَلَهُمْ مَاذَا 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 عَلَّمَنَا ، وَمَا أَمَرَنَا بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، كَائِنٌ فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فَلَمَّا جَاءُوهُ وَقَدْ دَعَا النَّجَاشِيُّ أَسَاقِفَتَهُ ، فَنَشَرُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حَوْلَهُ ، سَأَلَهُمْ 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 لِنُوَحِّدَهُ وَنَعْبُدَهُ ، وَنَخْلَعَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ وَآبَاؤُنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ وَالْأَوْثَانِ ، وَأَمَرَنَا بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ ، وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ وَحُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ وَالْكَفِّ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ وَالدِّمَاءِ ، وَنَهَانَا عَنِ الْفَوَاحِشِ , وَقَوْلِ الزُّورِ وَأَكْلِ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ وَقَذْفِ الْمُحْصَنَةِ ، وَأَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا ، وَأَمَرَنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ ، قَالَتْ : 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 وَفَتَنُونَا عَنْ دِينِنَا لِيَرُدُّونَا إِلَى عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ ، وَأَنْ نَسْتَحِلَّ مَا كُنَّا نَسْتَحِلُّ مِنَ الْخَبَائِثِ ، فَلَمَّا 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 سورة مريم آية 1 قَالَتْ : فَبَكَى وَاللَّهِ النَّجَاشِيُّ ، حَتَّى أَخْضَلَ لِحْيَتَهُ ، وَبَكَتْ أَسَاقِفَتُهُ حَتَّى أَخْضَلُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حِينَ سَمِعُوا مَا تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّجَاشِيُّ : إِنَّ هَذَا وَاللَّهِ وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَى لَيَخْرُجُ مِنْ مِشْكَاةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ ، انْطَلِقَا فَوَاللَّهِ لَا أُسْلِمُهُمْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَبَدًا ، وَلَا أُكَادُ , قَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ : فَلَمَّا خَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ ، قَالَ عَمْرُو بْنُ الْعَاصِ : وَاللَّهِ لَأُنَبِّئَنَّهُ غَدًا عَيْبَهُمْ 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 عَبْدٌ ، قَالَتْ : ثُمَّ غَدَا عَلَيْهِ الْغَدَ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ : أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ إِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ قَوْلًا عَظِيمًا ، فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَاسْأَلْهُمْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ فِيهِ ، قَالَتْ : 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 وَمَا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا ، كَائِنًا فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ ، فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ ، قَالَ لَهُمْ : مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ؟ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ : نَقُولُ فِيهِ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا هُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ , وَرَسُولُهُ , وَرُوحُهُ , وَكَلِمَتُهُ , أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ الْعَذْرَاءِ الْبَتُولِ ، قَالَتْ : فَضَرَبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَدَهُ إِلَى 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 غُرِّمَ ، ثُمَّ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غُرِّمَ ، فَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي دَبْرًا ذَهَبًا ، 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 النَّاسَ فِيَّ 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 ، قَالَ : 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 ، قَالَتْ : فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مَنْ رَجُلٌ يَخْرُجُ حَتَّى يَحْضُرَ وَقْعَةَ الْقَوْمِ ، ثُمَّ يَأْتِيَنَا بِالْخَبَرِ ؟ قَالَتْ : فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ بْنُ الْعَوَّامِ : 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 لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ بِالظُّهُورِ عَلَى عَدُوِّهِ ، وَالتَّمْكِينِ لَهُ فِي بِلَادِهِ ، وَاسْتَوْسَقَ 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’minin, Sayyida Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her), that when we arrived in the land of Abyssinia, we found the best neighbor in the person of the Negus. We attained peace regarding our religion, we worshipped Allah in such a way that no one harassed us, and we did not hear any unpleasant thing. When the Quraysh heard of this, they consulted among themselves and decided to send two strong men of the Quraysh to the Negus with rare and precious gifts. In their eyes, the most excellent and valuable thing was leather, so they collected a lot of leather and also gathered gifts for every chief of the Negus. 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 the Negus about these people, deliver each chief his gift, then present the gifts to the Negus, and before he speaks to them, request him to hand them over to you.
These two set out from Mecca and reached the Negus, while we were living among the best neighbors and in the best residence. Before speaking to the Negus, they gave gifts to each of his chiefs and said to each: “Some foolish youths from our people have come to the king’s land, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion which neither we nor you know. Now, some honorable people from their own people have sent us to bring them back. When we speak to the king about them, advise him to hand them over to us without any discussion, for their people have deeper insight into them and are more aware of the faults they have been accused of.” All the chiefs assured them of their cooperation.
After this, the two presented their gifts to the Negus, which he accepted. Then they said to him: “O King! Some foolish youths from our land 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 which neither you nor we know. Now, some honorable people from their own people—including their fathers, uncles, and family—have sent us to you so that you may hand them over to us, for their people have deeper insight and are more aware of the faults they have been accused of.” At that time, their greatest fear was that the Negus might be willing to listen to them. The chiefs present with the Negus also said: “O King! These people are telling the truth. Their people have deeper insight and are more aware of the faults they have been accused of. Therefore, hand them over to these two so they may take them back to their city and people.”
At this, the Negus became angry and said: “No, by Allah! I cannot hand over a people who have chosen to be my neighbors, have come to my land, and have preferred me over others. I will first call them and ask them about what these two say about them. If they are as these two say, I will hand them over and send them back to their city and people. But if not, then I will not hand them over, but will prove myself a good neighbor.”
After this, the Negus sent a message and called the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). When the messenger came to them, they gathered and consulted about what to say to the king. Then they agreed among themselves: “We will say only what we know or what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has commanded us. Whatever happens, will happen.” So they went to the Negus. The Negus had also called his priests, who sat before him with their heavenly books and scriptures open.
The Negus asked them: “What is this 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, Sayyiduna Ja’far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke and said: “O King! We were an ignorant people, we worshipped idols, ate carrion, committed acts of indecency, broke ties of kinship, mistreated neighbors, and the strong among us would oppress the weak. We continued in this way of life until Allah sent to us a Messenger from among ourselves, whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and chastity we know. He called us to worship Allah alone, to serve Him, and to abandon the worship of stones and idols which our forefathers used to worship. He commanded us to speak the truth, fulfill trusts, maintain ties of kinship, treat neighbors well, and refrain from forbidden acts and bloodshed. He forbade us from acts of indecency, lying, consuming the wealth of orphans unjustly, and slandering chaste women. He commanded us to worship Allah alone, not to associate anything with Him, and he ordered us to pray, give zakat, and fast. We affirmed him, believed in him, and followed the law and teachings he brought. We began to worship Allah alone, did not associate anything with Him, and considered unlawful what he declared unlawful and lawful what he declared lawful.
Upon this, our people began to oppress us, inflicted various punishments upon us, and tried to turn us away from our religion so that we would abandon the worship of Allah and return to idol worship, and again consider lawful the filthy things we used to consider lawful in the days of ignorance. When they exceeded all bounds in oppressing us, created difficulties for us, and became a barrier between us and our religion, we left and came to your land. We preferred you over others, desired your neighborhood, and O King! We hope that we will not be wronged in your presence.”
The Negus asked them: “Do you remember any part of the revelation that comes to your Prophet from Allah?” Sayyiduna Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: “Yes.” He said: “Then recite it to me.” Sayyiduna Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) recited the opening part of Surah Maryam before him. By Allah! On hearing it, the Negus wept so much that his beard became wet with his tears, and his priests wept so much that the scriptures before them became soaked with their tears. Then the Negus said: “By Allah! This and what was revealed to Moses come from the same source.” Then, addressing the two, he said: “Go, by Allah! I will never hand them over to you.”
Sayyida Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) says: When the two left the court of the Negus, Amr bin al-‘As said: “By Allah! Tomorrow I will mention their fault before the Negus and uproot them through it.” Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’ah, who was somewhat lenient in our matter, said: “Do not do this, for although they oppose us, they are still our relatives.” Amr bin al-‘As said: “No, I will tell the Negus that these people say about Jesus (peace be upon him) that he is a servant of Allah.”
The next day, Amr bin al-‘As came and said to the Negus: “O King! These people say a grave thing about Jesus (peace be upon him). Therefore, call them and ask them about their belief regarding Jesus (peace be upon him).” The king sent for the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) again to ask about this. At that time, nothing had been revealed to us like this before. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) gathered for consultation and said: “When the king asks you about Jesus (peace be upon him), what will you say?” Then they decided: “We will say about him only what Allah has said and what our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has told us. Whatever happens, will happen.”
So, having agreed on this, they went to the Negus. The Negus asked them: “What is your opinion about Jesus (peace be upon him)?” Sayyiduna Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: “Regarding him, we say what our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says: He is Allah’s servant, His Messenger, His spirit, and His word which He cast into Mary, who was a virgin and chaste.”
At this, the Negus reached down to the ground, picked up a straw, and said: “By Allah, Jesus (peace be upon him) is not more than what you have said, not even as much as this straw.” When the Negus said this, it greatly displeased the chiefs sitting around him, and they made sounds of anger through their noses. The Negus said: “Say what you will, the truth is as I have said. Go, from today you will live in this land in safety.” He repeated three times: “Whoever abuses you will have to pay compensation. I do not like to harm any of you, even if I were given a mountain of gold in return. And return their gifts and presents to these two. By Allah! When Allah restored my kingdom to me, He did not take a bribe from me, so I will not take bribes in His matter, nor did He make the people obedient to me so that I should obey people in His matter.”
Sayyida Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) says: After this, the two were humiliated and expelled, and all the gifts they had brought were returned to them. We continued to live in the land of the Negus with the best home and the best neighbor. During this time, someone attacked the land of the Negus. We were extremely grieved and feared that the attacker might overpower the Negus, and someone might come to power who would not care for our rights as the Negus did.
Anyway, the Negus set out for battle. The Nile River’s width separated the two armies. At that time, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said to each other: “Who will bring us news of the battle?” Sayyiduna Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the youngest among us, volunteered. The people inflated a waterskin for him, he hung it on his chest, and swam across the Nile until he reached the side where the two armies were arrayed. Sayyiduna Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) observed all the circumstances there. We kept praying to Allah for the Negus to be victorious over his enemy, to remain in power in his land, and for the affairs of the people of Abyssinia to remain in his hands, for we had found the best refuge with him—until we returned to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was still in Mecca at that time.
These two set out from Mecca and reached the Negus, while we were living among the best neighbors and in the best residence. Before speaking to the Negus, they gave gifts to each of his chiefs and said to each: “Some foolish youths from our people have come to the king’s land, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion which neither we nor you know. Now, some honorable people from their own people have sent us to bring them back. When we speak to the king about them, advise him to hand them over to us without any discussion, for their people have deeper insight into them and are more aware of the faults they have been accused of.” All the chiefs assured them of their cooperation.
After this, the two presented their gifts to the Negus, which he accepted. Then they said to him: “O King! Some foolish youths from our land 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 which neither you nor we know. Now, some honorable people from their own people—including their fathers, uncles, and family—have sent us to you so that you may hand them over to us, for their people have deeper insight and are more aware of the faults they have been accused of.” At that time, their greatest fear was that the Negus might be willing to listen to them. The chiefs present with the Negus also said: “O King! These people are telling the truth. Their people have deeper insight and are more aware of the faults they have been accused of. Therefore, hand them over to these two so they may take them back to their city and people.”
At this, the Negus became angry and said: “No, by Allah! I cannot hand over a people who have chosen to be my neighbors, have come to my land, and have preferred me over others. I will first call them and ask them about what these two say about them. If they are as these two say, I will hand them over and send them back to their city and people. But if not, then I will not hand them over, but will prove myself a good neighbor.”
After this, the Negus sent a message and called the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). When the messenger came to them, they gathered and consulted about what to say to the king. Then they agreed among themselves: “We will say only what we know or what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has commanded us. Whatever happens, will happen.” So they went to the Negus. The Negus had also called his priests, who sat before him with their heavenly books and scriptures open.
The Negus asked them: “What is this 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, Sayyiduna Ja’far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke and said: “O King! We were an ignorant people, we worshipped idols, ate carrion, committed acts of indecency, broke ties of kinship, mistreated neighbors, and the strong among us would oppress the weak. We continued in this way of life until Allah sent to us a Messenger from among ourselves, whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and chastity we know. He called us to worship Allah alone, to serve Him, and to abandon the worship of stones and idols which our forefathers used to worship. He commanded us to speak the truth, fulfill trusts, maintain ties of kinship, treat neighbors well, and refrain from forbidden acts and bloodshed. He forbade us from acts of indecency, lying, consuming the wealth of orphans unjustly, and slandering chaste women. He commanded us to worship Allah alone, not to associate anything with Him, and he ordered us to pray, give zakat, and fast. We affirmed him, believed in him, and followed the law and teachings he brought. We began to worship Allah alone, did not associate anything with Him, and considered unlawful what he declared unlawful and lawful what he declared lawful.
Upon this, our people began to oppress us, inflicted various punishments upon us, and tried to turn us away from our religion so that we would abandon the worship of Allah and return to idol worship, and again consider lawful the filthy things we used to consider lawful in the days of ignorance. When they exceeded all bounds in oppressing us, created difficulties for us, and became a barrier between us and our religion, we left and came to your land. We preferred you over others, desired your neighborhood, and O King! We hope that we will not be wronged in your presence.”
The Negus asked them: “Do you remember any part of the revelation that comes to your Prophet from Allah?” Sayyiduna Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: “Yes.” He said: “Then recite it to me.” Sayyiduna Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) recited the opening part of Surah Maryam before him. By Allah! On hearing it, the Negus wept so much that his beard became wet with his tears, and his priests wept so much that the scriptures before them became soaked with their tears. Then the Negus said: “By Allah! This and what was revealed to Moses come from the same source.” Then, addressing the two, he said: “Go, by Allah! I will never hand them over to you.”
Sayyida Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) says: When the two left the court of the Negus, Amr bin al-‘As said: “By Allah! Tomorrow I will mention their fault before the Negus and uproot them through it.” Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’ah, who was somewhat lenient in our matter, said: “Do not do this, for although they oppose us, they are still our relatives.” Amr bin al-‘As said: “No, I will tell the Negus that these people say about Jesus (peace be upon him) that he is a servant of Allah.”
The next day, Amr bin al-‘As came and said to the Negus: “O King! These people say a grave thing about Jesus (peace be upon him). Therefore, call them and ask them about their belief regarding Jesus (peace be upon him).” The king sent for the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) again to ask about this. At that time, nothing had been revealed to us like this before. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) gathered for consultation and said: “When the king asks you about Jesus (peace be upon him), what will you say?” Then they decided: “We will say about him only what Allah has said and what our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has told us. Whatever happens, will happen.”
So, having agreed on this, they went to the Negus. The Negus asked them: “What is your opinion about Jesus (peace be upon him)?” Sayyiduna Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: “Regarding him, we say what our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says: He is Allah’s servant, His Messenger, His spirit, and His word which He cast into Mary, who was a virgin and chaste.”
At this, the Negus reached down to the ground, picked up a straw, and said: “By Allah, Jesus (peace be upon him) is not more than what you have said, not even as much as this straw.” When the Negus said this, it greatly displeased the chiefs sitting around him, and they made sounds of anger through their noses. The Negus said: “Say what you will, the truth is as I have said. Go, from today you will live in this land in safety.” He repeated three times: “Whoever abuses you will have to pay compensation. I do not like to harm any of you, even if I were given a mountain of gold in return. And return their gifts and presents to these two. By Allah! When Allah restored my kingdom to me, He did not take a bribe from me, so I will not take bribes in His matter, nor did He make the people obedient to me so that I should obey people in His matter.”
Sayyida Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) says: After this, the two were humiliated and expelled, and all the gifts they had brought were returned to them. We continued to live in the land of the Negus with the best home and the best neighbor. During this time, someone attacked the land of the Negus. We were extremely grieved and feared that the attacker might overpower the Negus, and someone might come to power who would not care for our rights as the Negus did.
Anyway, the Negus set out for battle. The Nile River’s width separated the two armies. At that time, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said to each other: “Who will bring us news of the battle?” Sayyiduna Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the youngest among us, volunteered. The people inflated a waterskin for him, he hung it on his chest, and swam across the Nile until he reached the side where the two armies were arrayed. Sayyiduna Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) observed all the circumstances there. We kept praying to Allah for the Negus to be victorious over his enemy, to remain in power in his land, and for the affairs of the people of Abyssinia to remain in his hands, for we had found the best refuge with him—until we returned to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was still in Mecca at that time.
