The Migration to Abyssinia

The migration to Abyssinia (al-Habasha, modern-day Ethiopia/Eritrea) was the first migration in Islamic history, occurring in the fifth year of the Prophet's mission (615 CE), approximately eight years before the Hijrah to Medina. Facing intensifying persecution by the Quraysh, the Prophet advised a group of his companions to seek refuge in Abyssinia, saying: "If you go to the land of Abyssinia, you will find a king under whom no one is persecuted. It is a land of truth, until Allah gives you relief from what you are suffering" (Ibn Ishaq's Sirah).

The First Wave

The first group consisted of about fifteen Muslims, including Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah (the Prophet's daughter), Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf. They slipped out of Mecca secretly and crossed the Red Sea to Abyssinia, where they were welcomed by al-Najashi (the Negus), the Christian king. The Quraysh sent a delegation led by Amr ibn al-As (before his conversion to Islam) with lavish gifts for the king and his courtiers, requesting the return of the fugitives.

Ja'far's Speech

The Najashi summoned the Muslims and asked them about their faith. Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin, delivered one of the most eloquent speeches in Islamic history: "O King, we were a people of ignorance, worshipping idols, eating dead animals, committing shameful deeds, severing ties of kinship, mistreating neighbors, and the strong among us devoured the weak. We were in this state until Allah sent us a messenger from among ourselves, whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and purity we knew. He called us to worship Allah alone and abandon the stones and idols our fathers worshipped. He commanded us to speak the truth, fulfill trusts, maintain family ties, be good to our neighbors, and avoid bloodshed..." He then recited from Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), describing the birth of Isa (Jesus). The Najashi wept until his beard was wet.

The Najashi's Protection

The Najashi refused to hand over the Muslims, declaring: "By Allah, I will not surrender them." The Quraysh delegation tried a second approach, telling the Najashi that the Muslims said terrible things about Isa. When asked, Ja'far explained the Islamic view of Isa: a servant of Allah, His word bestowed upon Maryam, and a spirit from Him. The Najashi drew a line on the ground and said: "The difference between what you say about Isa and what we say is no more than this line." His courtiers grumbled, but the king stood firm in his protection of the Muslims.

Significance

The migration to Abyssinia established several principles. Seeking asylum in a just land, even a non-Muslim one, is permissible. Interfaith dialogue based on truth and respect is encouraged. The Islamic view of Isa serves as a bridge with Christians. Justice transcends religious boundaries: the Najashi was praised by the Prophet despite being Christian, and when the Najashi died (having reportedly accepted Islam privately), the Prophet performed the absent funeral prayer (Salat al-Ghaib) for him in Medina (Sahih al-Bukhari). This event also demonstrated that the Muslim community would survive persecution through strategic patience and trust in Allah's plan.