Part 19

Born rich, he considered wealth to be a great blessing from Allah Almighty and expressed his love for it from his childhood to the end of his days. Following in his father’s footsteps he took up business as his profession. His father, ‘As bin Wa’al, wasa very rich perfumes dealer. In connection with his business he used to travel a great deal and had visited Syria, Ethiopia, Yemen and Egypt. Thus, he had the opportunity to meet different kinds of people from different tribes and gain a great deal of experience. He was excellent at solving knotty problems. His clansmen, family and friends often used to go to him for help, when they failed to find answers to puzzling issues. When they felt helpless they would leave him to come to grips with it. He would find the solution using his natural God-given talents in no time. He had no equal among his tribesmen in intelligence and understanding. In the field of battle as well as in the field of politics his exploits and achievements were enviable. During the days before

he became a Muslim he represented the Quraish in the court of Najashi, the Christian King of Ethiopia, to try and bring back the first Muslim migrants from there. After he pledged allegiance to Islam he visited various barbaric tribes to preach this new religion. He had also fought in wars against the Muslims, challenging them. After he became a Muslim, he fought in the Jihéd in various countries like Syria, Egypt, South Africa and Palestine against the idol worshippers and created havoc amongst them. After this he became well known as a General. The whole region acknowledged his authority and superiority. He lived an enviable life as a politician, reformer, preacher, educator, and also as a just ruler.

Influenced by the teachings of the Prophet 3%, many people in the valley of Makkah became Muslims. The Quraish were agitated and extremely annoyed by this state of affairs. They pul their heads together to search for a means to stop the spread of this new religion, which was threatening and challenging their authority. They appealed to the heads of the Prophet's tribe, the Banu Hisham, saying this, a youth from their tribe had created differences between them. Men and women, influenced by him, were turning against the religious beliefs of their forefathers. They appealed to them to either kill him or hand him over to them, so that they could get rid of him. They said they could not tolerate him insulting their gods. If they did not build a dam now, even their leadership of Arabia would be engulfed in the flood of his new religion.

The Banu Hisham refused to give in to these demands and the Quraish started persecution of the Muslims. They would not stop short at any means of oppressing and torturing the Muslims. They would catch hold of the believers and drag them over the hot desert sands; others were made to lie on live coals and blocks of stone and rocks would be placed on their stomachs. When the fat from the bodies melted it would quench the fire. Thus the unarmed Muslims were made to suffer in all kinds of ways. Taking this situation into account the Prophet 38 advised the oppressed and innocent Muslim converts to migrate to Ethiopia, since King Najashi was known to be a

When ‘Amr bin AlAs got permission to present himself in the court, taking into consideration the protocol of the court, he prostrated before King Najashi. Then very respectfully he presented gifts. After graciously accepting the gifts, King Najashi asked him for the purpose of his visit. ‘Amr bin Al-’As replied that this time he had come as a representative of his people, so that he could draw his attention toa very important problem facing them. Further, he added King Najashi was known to be the personification of justice and fair play. His country was a cradle of peace and tranquillity, and there was no turmoil or tyranny. He should not give permission to troublemakers to settle in his country. King Najashi agreed with all that he had to say, and said he would certainly not encourage any cruelty or agitation to breed in his land, And truth to tell, there were no such people among his subjects. ‘Amr bin Al-’As said that it was true that there were no lovers of evil and cruelty in his land, but some troublemakers had come and settled in his land from Makkah. He had given refuge to these people who were very cruel and had created discord

and conflicts in their own land between brother to brother; and even sons did not hesitate to confront their own fathers. If they were allowed to live in his land, they would inevitably create a lot of friction and strife in his peaceful country as well, since this was their nature. He, ‘Amr, knew since there were many among them who were his own kith and kin. He suggested that he get rid of them as early as possible. He said he had one more point felt it was his duty to bring to the King’s attention. These people had not accepted the Christian faith; on the other hand they had concocted a religion which was of their own making. The Quraish had sent him to present a true picture to his majesty and appeal to him to oust them from his country or to hand them over to him. Their other companions had heard of the manner in which they were settled in Ethiopia, peacefully and happily, and were anxious to join them.

At this point the ministers and bishop also joined in respectfully and asked the King’s to allow them to say a few words. The King said that of course they had his permission. All of them said in unison that in their humble opinion the Muslims should be handed over to the delegation of ‘Amr bin Al-’As, since they knew these people and their ways very well, and they, the Ethiopians should not get involved in their internal fights. This interference could get them a bad name.

King Najashi was furious at this and said that what they suggested was impossible. He could not hand over people who had taken refuge in his kingdom without first talking to them and hearing what they had to say.

‘Amr bin AL-’As tried to convince him and said these people were so arrogant that they did not even prostrate before the King, saying their religion did not permit this. They give no importance even to the King. King Najashi ignored these remarks and sent a messenger to fetch the Muslims. Upon receiving the summons of the King, the Muslims consulted among themselves as to what they should say to him. It was unanimously decided that Ja’far bin Abi Talib 4% would represent them and talk to King Najashi in the court. The others would remain silent and just listen. A small delegation was chosen after some discussion by Ja’far bin Abi Talib 4 to accompany him and they set out from the court. They asked for permission to enter the

court of King Najashi. They were given permission and were received courteously and with respect. Ja’far bin Abi Talib 8 approached King Najashi and without bowing down or prostrating, wished him, ‘Asslamo ‘Alaikum’, in the Islamic way.

When ‘Amr bin Al-'As . saw this he could not contain himself and turning around to his companion, told him to note how soft and gentle had been King behaviour.

Then, addressing the King he pointed out to him the arrogance in the behaviour and greetings of the Muslims. They did not even bend down and stood erect and greeted him.

King Najashi asked Ja’far bin Abi Talib why he did not prostrate before him with respect. He replied spontaneously that Allah Almighty had sent His Prophet Muhammad 38 who ordered them not to bow or prostrate before any other, except his Creature. He taught them to wish each other as brothers in Islam with the greetings of peace and well-being. He then gave a speech explaining the teachings of Islam; King Najashi was so impressed and satisfied by this speech that he returned the gifts of ‘Amr bin Al-’As and also commanded his courtiers and ministers to do the same.

The next day ‘Amr bin Al-’As came with the suggestion that King Najashi ask the Muslims what they thought about the son of Mary, or Isa p> te. He told him they had a very strange viewpoint and did not accept him as the son of God.

So the King sent for the Muslims and asked them for their opinion of ‘Isa pw) ae. Ja‘far bin Abi Talib 4 replied:

“We believe him to be the soul of Allah 3% who he sent by His absolute powers to the virgin Maryam.”

King Najashi agreed and said that Isa pW! ue, was not an iota more than that. The padres were very offended at this, but the King ignored their displeasure and asked them to swear as if they were in the presence of the One True Allah and speak the truth as written in the Bible. Was it not said in the Divine Book that there would be another Prophet between him and the Day of Judgement?