Part 58

The chieftains of the Quraish tormented the newly converted Muslims who underwent great agony and suffering. Their naked bodies were branded with hot iron rods and they were made to lie down on burning fires and dragged naked across the sands of the burning desert. It was as humanity itself, wept at the excesses committed.

Some of the converts were deprived of their properties and palaces. The tortures inflicted on them reached the very utmost limits and became unendurable. And all this happened because they chose to follow their beloved Prophet 3%; they had rejected the false idols and gods of the Quraish and chosen to worship the One True Allah.

When the misery and anguish suffered by his faithful Companions exceeded all limits the Prophet 3% ordered them to migrate towards Ethiopia. The Emperor Najashi of Ethiopia was known for his kindness and his sense of justice. The Prophet 38 hoped that his people would be able to find some peace and have the freedom to follow their religion and their own way of life. ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah -% was among the first group of migrants who set out for Ethiopia.

When the Muslims in Ethiopia received the news that the Prophet 38, weary of the oppression of the Quraish, had migrated to Al-Madinah, they became anxious to go there and be with him. Each of them had this priority now, to reach Al-Madinah as early as possible to see his radiant face and find peace in his company. They wanted to spend their days and night with him, this desire was dearer than life itself. Leaving behind the peaceful life at Ethiopia his loyal followers too started moving gradually to the new capital of Islam. The very axis of their love and life was now Al-Madinah, and they wanted to reach there as early as humanly possible. Among these people who migrated second time to Al-Madinah, was ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah <d.

In 6'* Hijrah the Prophet 38 planned to send letters to the rulers of nonArab countries through some of his chosen Companions. His aim was to attract them towards Islam and invite them to convert to this new humane religion. The Companions who set out on this mission were to visit distant lands. They knew nothing about the language, culture and customs of the people there. Neither did they have any knowledge about the etiquette and procedures followed in the courts of these emperors and Emperors. The revolutionary new concepts of equality of all in the sight of the One True Allah would definitely act like a whiplash on their sensitive and proud natures. The arrogant pride of these all-powerful lords would have to be subjected to the Commands of Allah 38.

It was very clearly stated in the messages being sent by the Prophet 38 that their well-being lay in accepting Islam. If they did not do so their kingdoms would be in jeopardy. Their majesty, their royal thrones, their expensive robes of rustling silk, their rich jewels and gaudy robes and extravagant lifestyles would all be lost.

This was a very dangerous mission and the people embarking on it would be playing with their lives. No one knew how these royal arrogant personages would react to this unique Message. No one could predict how these ambassadors of the Prophet 3 would be treated. Since this was a very important move, the Prophet 3 ordered his Companions to assemble together.

After reciting words in Praise of Allah Almighty he said:

“I intend to send some Companions with an invitation to enter the fold of Islam to the rulers of non-Arab countries. Are you ready to embark on this enterprise?”

They all replied in unison:

“If we are honoured by such a mission, we are ready to obey your orders. We will go wherever you wish to send us. We feel happy that you have considered us worthy of doing this job and chosen us.”

When he heard the answer of his faithful Companions, the Prophet 3% was very happy. He selected eight of them for the mission; one of them was ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah #.

He took the letter of the Prophet 8 for Emperor Khosro Parvaiz and set out for Iran. Hatib bin Abu Balta’ % was chosen as the ambassador to the King of Egypt. ‘Amr bin Umayyah Dhamari # was sent to Ethiopia to Emperor Najashi. Dahiyyah Kalbi 4 was chosen as ambassador to Caesar of Rome. ‘Ala’ bin ‘Abdullah Al-Hadhrami <4 was sent to Manzar bin Sawi, the ruler of Bahrain. The ruler of Damascus was Harith bin Abu Shamar Ghassani and Shuja’ bin Wahab Asadi was sent to meet him. Saleet bin’ Amr < was ambassador to Howthah bin ‘Ali, the ruler of Yamamah. ‘Amr bin ’ Aas “4 was sent to the ruler of ‘Oman. These great and respected Companions not only carried the Message of the Prophet 38, but went personally to their courts to gauge the reactions of the rulers for themselves.

‘Abdullah bin Hathafah reached the court of Emperor Khosro Parvaiz clad in simple clothes which was the everyday dress of the Arab labourer. But his powerful personality shone through. His sturdy build, broad forehead and shining eyes revealed a brilliant mind. The Emperor of Iran had already been informed about his arrival. He arranged his court in grand style to impress this emissary of the Prophet 3%. But ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah 4s, not in the least bit awed and displaying complete indifference to the pomp and show on display, started walking directly towards the throne. His faith gave him complete confidence and_his heart was filled with reverence for

Islam and love for Allah. So all this grandeur of the Iranian Emperor meant nothing to him.

When Emperor Khosro Parvaiz saw him walking so boldly towards him, he asked his attendant to take the letter from his hand. When the servant tried to obey his Emperor's orders and moved to take the letter from the hand of ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah <4 he said:

“Move back! I have been ordered by the Prophet 3£ to deliver the letter into the hands of the Emperor himself. 1 cannot disobey the instructions of my leader and guide.”

When the Emperor heard this he told his attendant to allow him to approach the throne. He then handed the letter to the Emperor, who told his interpreter to translate it for him. These were the opening words of the letter:

“The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad 38 brings greetings of peace to the Emperor of Iran. He deserves peace and tranquillity who follows the path of Truth.”

Even as the Emperor heard the introductory words of the letter he turned to infuriate. His face turned red with anger and the veins on his neck stood out. He started shouting because the name of the Prophet 3g had taken precedence over his name in the letter. He took the letter as an insult and trembling with rage, snatched the letter from the interpreter and tore it up, without even finding out what was written in the rest of the letter. He shouted wrathfully:

“How did this man dare to write to me in this manner? Does he not know my power and my majesty?”

When ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah <43 walked out of the court. He was quite unruffled, as he had done his duty. Lost in meditation, unaware and uncaring as to the reactions of the Emperor, immersed in the

beauty of the Verses of the Noble Quran he was reciting in praise of Allah 3&8, he walked on. He was quite unaware of what fate had in store for him. Maybe he would be murdered or perhaps he would manage to get out of this alien land. Finally he called out:

“O Allah the Magnificent! Now that I have delivered the letter of the Prophet 3% to the Emperor of Iran, I do not care how he will behave with me.”

He got on to his camel and left. When the fury of the Emperor had abated somewhat he ordered his courtiers to bring the Arab emissary into his presence again. They searched for him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. They could get only this information that he had left the kingdom.

Meanwhile, ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah .#& reached Al-Madinah and presented himself before the Prophet 38. He told him of all that had taken place and how the Emperor had torn up his letter in a rage. The Prophet 3% was sad to hear this and offered a supplication to Allah 3&, and said:

“May Allah Almighty rip apart his robe of authority and power.”

The Emperor of Iran ordered his governor in Yemen to capture the man in Hejaz who claimed to be a prophet and present him in his court. The governor of Yemen sent two of his noted generals to AlMadinah with a letter for the Prophet 38. The letter contained a royal command from the Emperor ordering the Prophet 3% to reach the court of the Emperor of Iran immediately with the two generals, as he had been summoned there. He was ordered not to delay obeying this order as it could prove harmful for him and he was told to present himself before the Emperor at his earliest convenience. Travelling post-haste these generals arrived to Ta’if first. There they met some traders who belonged to the tribe of Quraish. They inquired where they could find this man by the name of Muhammad 3%, as they had been ordered to capture him and present him in the court of the Emperor of Iran. The traders told him that this man had settled in Yathrib and they could find him there. When the traders of the Quraish came to know that they were going to capture the Prophet 3,

they were overjoyed. They traveled to Makkah and gave this great news to the chieftains of the Quraish:

“You can be happy now as your heart’s desire is to be fulfilled. Now the Emperor of Iran and Muhammad 3 are opposing each other, and the representatives of the government of Iran are already in Yathrib to capture him. Now there is no fear of any further danger from him.”

The representatives of the governor of Yemen, Bathan, reached AlMadinah, met with the Prophet 38 and handing the letter of the Emperor to him and said:

“The Emperor of Iran has commanded our ruler Bathan to capture you and present you in his court. That is why we have come here. If you agree to what we have to say it will be better for you. If you refused to go with us, it will be bad for you. You know he is very powerful and can subdue you. His stranglehold is so strong that he will not let you off; he can destroy you and your people.”