Migration To Abyssinia

The Prophet did not possess the power to protect Muslims from the torture of the Quraish.

• So the prophet advised his followers to seek refuge in Abyssinia,  a country situated across the Red Sea.
• 15 Believers - 11 men and 4 women decided to migrate to Abyssinia.
• Hazrath Umar (rali), once an enemy of Islam, finally embraced Islam after being convinced by his sister’s recitation.
• The conversion of Umar (rali) was a real triumph for the cause of Islam. Muslims started their worship inside the Ka'ba and preached Islam openly.
• When 3 months passed after their arrival in Abyssinia, they heard the news of Hazrath Umar (rali), accepting Islam. So the people decided to return and live in Mecca without fear.
• But for their surprise, the ground situation in Mecca  had become worse and it was difficult to live there.
• Muslims again returned to Abyssinia secretly along with some more Muslims, totally 83 person - this incident in the history of Islam is called the 'First Hijrath' or  ‘First Migration'.
• Quraish people got envious,  realizing the people who had migrated were living happily with safety, they dispatched Abdullah Bin Rabi'a and Amribnu 'Aaz with valuable gifts to meet the king of Abyssinia and to complain about the new religion Islam.
• They met the king and apprised the situation in Makkah, they demanded for the extradition of Muslims from Abyssinia.
• The king was a man of Justice, so he decided to inquire about this from the Muslim refugees.
• The leader of the Muslim emigrants Jafar bin Abi Thalib stood up and addressed the king with the following words

“o king, we were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism; we adore idols lived in unchastity, we ate the dead Bodies, and we spoke abominations, we disregarded every feeling of humanity, and the duties of hospitality and neighborhood were neglected; we knew no law but that of the strong, when Allah raise among us a man, of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty, and purity we were aware; and he called to the oneness of Allah, and taught to not associate anything with him.he forbade us the worship if idols, and enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be merciful and to regard the rights of our neighbors and kith and kin; he forbade us to speak evil of a woman, or to eat the substance of an orphan; he ordered us to fly from the vices, and to abstain from the evil; to offer prayers, to render alms, and to observe fast .We have believed in him, we have accepted his teachings to worship Allah, and not to associate anything with him and we have allowed what he has allowed and prohibited what he has prohibited. For this reason, our people have risen against us, have persecuted us in order to make us forsake the worship of Allah and return to the worship of idols and other abominations. They have tortured and injured us, until finding no safety among these men, we have come to your country, and hope you will protect us from oppression”

The king was very much impressed by these words and requested Muslims to recite a part of the Quran.

• Jafar bin Abi Thalib (rali) recited the opening verses of Surah Maryam.
• King Negus was moved to tears and later that period he embraced Islam.
• The envoys of the Quraish we sent back.
• The king assured the Muslims of full protection.
• After the death of King Negus, Prophet Muhammed (sal) offered funeral prayers for him in Madeena.
• The Quraish lost their patience against the prophet (sal) and laid a plan to kill the prophet (sal), and banged together to put their plan into effect.
• The Quraish were aware that their blood will flow profusely in the valley of Makkah, if they went ahead with the plan to kill Muhammed (sal), so the pagans of Makkah held a meeting in a place called Wadi Al Muhassab  and formed a confederation hostile to both Banu Hashim and Banu Muthalib.

Some Articles of their Proclamation

• To cut all the relationship with the Banu Hashim and Banu Muthalib.
• Imposed a ban on business and marriage dealings with them.
• All social relations, visits and even verbal contact with Muhammed (sal) and his supporters were to be discontinued.

Bagheed bin Amir bin Hashim was said to be the person who has written this merciless agreement, but the prophet (sal) invoked Allahs imprecations upon Bageed, who’s hands were later paralyzed.

Abu Thalib decided to withdraw the Banu Hashim  and Banu Muthalib to the valley on the Eastern outskirts of Makkah, confined within a narrow pass called Shib of Abu Thalib.

• This incident occurred in the seventh year of Muhammed (sal)'s mission till the tenth year, it took a period of three long years of great hardship.
• Abu Thalib conveyed to Quraish that his nephew Muhammed (sal) has received a revelation that the ants had eaten away all their proclamation that smacked the injustice and aggression except for those parts that bore the name of Allah. He told that he was ready to give Muhammed (sal) to them if his words were proved untrue, and if it was true the Quraish would have to repeal their boycott.
• When Al- Mut'im  went to examine the parchment, he discovered that what Muhammed (sal) said was true, all the part of the article were eaten by ants except the part containing Allah’s name.
• Finally Muhammed (sal) and his followers were allowed to leave Ash- Shib and return to their homes.

Prepared By: Miss Aqeela