Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 83

83. And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because they recognize [129] the truth. They say, "Our Lord, we have believed, so record us among the witnesses."

[129]
The Migration to Abyssinia and the Role of Najashi:

Distressed by the persecutions of the polytheists of Makkah, in the 5th year of Prophethood, the Muslims migrated towards Abyssinia. The Quraysh of Makkah had trade relations with the king of Abyssinia. A delegation from them arrived there to bring the Muslims back. They met with some courtiers, gave them gifts and presents, and persuaded them that when they presented their petition before Najashi the next day, they should support them and intercede as well. The next day, this delegation appeared in the court and said that some of their people had fled and come to his country, and requested that they be returned. The bribed courtiers also supported them. But Najashi was a very just king. He said: Until I hear the other party, I cannot hand them over to you. Thus, the next day, the emigrant Muslims were summoned to the court and their statement was taken. When they narrated the persecutions of the polytheists and the story of the Muslims’ oppression, he gave a clear answer to the polytheists of Makkah, and they had to leave disappointed. One member of this delegation came up with a plan which he felt sure would succeed. He said to his companions that they would appear in the court again the next day, and he would present such a matter that the king himself would hand over the Muslims to them. The matter was that, at that time, the entire Christian world believed in the divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him), whereas the Muslims did not accept him as the son of God, but only as Allah’s Messenger and His Word. Thus, the next day, this delegation appeared in the court and said to Najashi: Ask these runaway irreligious people what belief they hold about Jesus (peace be upon him)? And they also told him some false things. The next day, the Muslims were summoned to the court again. They had come to know what new attack the disbelievers of Makkah had launched against them. Nevertheless, these oppressed Muslims decided among themselves that whatever they would say, they would speak the truth, no matter how much punishment they might have to bear for it. For this purpose, the Muslims selected Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar, who was the brother of Sayyiduna Ali, as their representative. The next day, when Najashi asked the Muslims about Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him), Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar recited the relevant verses of Surah Maryam. Upon hearing these verses, Najashi picked up a straw and said to the Muslims: By Allah! What you have said, Jesus (peace be upon him) does not exceed what you have said by as much as this straw. At Najashi’s comment, the courtiers were also enraged, and all the hopes of the Qurayshi delegation were dashed, but Najashi did not care for anyone and wholeheartedly allowed the Muslims to stay in his country. The delegation had to return in utter humiliation. Several years after this incident, Najashi sent a delegation of seventy Christians who had newly converted to Islam to the service of the Messenger of Allah in Madinah. When these people heard the Quran, they would be overcome with emotion, tears would flow from their eyes due to the intensity of their feelings, and they would begin to say ﴿رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا﴾. The condition of these people is described in this verse.

Najashi’s Funeral Prayer in Absentia:

Although the king of Abyssinia, Najashi, could not be present in the service of the Prophet, he had certainly become a Muslim, and the clear proof of this is that when he passed away, the Prophet informed the Muslims of his death and then performed his funeral prayer in absentia. [بخاري۔ كتاب الجنائز۔ باب الصفوف على الجنازة]