Part 'D' First Hijrat and its consequences
615 AD. First Hijrat
As more and more persons became Muslims, the Quraish lost their nerve, and intensified their persecutions against them. Persecution by the Quraish grew fiercer every day and the sufferings of the Prophet's disciples became unbearable and they were not allowed to retaliate as no permission was given by the Almighty Allah. Seeing the afflictions on his companions, the Holy Prophet advised them to migrate to Abyssinia.
He had heard of the righteousness, tolerance, and hospitality of the neighboring Christian king of Abyssinia. He recommended such of his companions who were without protection to seek refuge in the kingdom of that pious king, Al Najashi (Negus).
Some eighty Muslim men and women of the unprotected adherents of Islam promptly availed themselves of the advice and sailed to Abyssinia living all their worldly possessions behind. Here they met with a very kind reception from the Negus. This is called the first hijrah (migration) in the history of Islam and occurred in the fifth year of the Prophet Muhammad's mission, A.D. 615. These emigrants were soon followed by many of their fellow sufferers, until the number reached eighty-three men and eighteen women.
615 AD. Quraish tried to bring back Muhajirs
Muslim settlement outside Arabia was likely to help in the promotion of Islam in other parts of the world. Along the borders of Arabia it was likely to be a source of strength to the Muslims because of the opportunities for economic betterment and strengthening of their trade relations with Abyssinia.
The Quraish were live to these advantages that were likely to accrue to the migrated Muslims in Abyssinia.
The hostile Quraish, furious at the escape of their victims, sent deputies to the king to request him to deliver up the refugees, that they might be put to death for adjuring their old religion and embracing a new one. The king summoned the poor fugitives and inquired of them as to what was the religion which they had adopted in preference to their old faith. Jafar, son of Abu Talib and brother of Ali, acted as spokesman for the exiles.
He spoke thus: "0 king, we were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism, we adored idols, we lived in un chastity, we ate dead bodies, and we spoke abominations, we disregarded every feeling of humanity and sense of duty towards our neighbors, and we knew no law but that of the strong, when Allah raised among us a man, of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty, and purity we were aware. He called us to profess the Unity of Allah and taught us to associate nothing with Him; he forbade us the worship of idols and enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be merciful, and to regard the rights of neighbors; he forbade us to speak evil of the worship of Allah and not to return to the worship of idols of wood and stone and to abstain from evil, to offer prayers, to give alms, to observe the fast. We have believed in him, we have accepted his teachings and his injunctions to worship Allah alone and to associate nothing with Him. Hence our people have persecuted us, trying to make us forego the worship of Allah and return to the worship of idols of wood and stone and other abominations. They have tortured us and injured us until, finding no safety amongst them, we have come to your kingdom trusting you will give us protection against their persecution."
After hearing the above speech, the hospitable king ordered the deputies to return to their people in safety and not to interfere with their fugitives. Thus the emigrants passed the period of exile in peace and comfort.
Jafar, acting as the spokesman of the Muslims presented such a splendid picture of Islam that the Negus was much impressed, and he refused to oblige the Quraish.
The discomfiture of the Quraish mission to Abyssinia gave a great setback to their cause and they stepped up their opposition to the new faith.
615 AD. The case in the court of the king of Abyssinia
The Quraish were live to these advantages that were likely to accrue to the migrated Muslims in Abyssinia. Accordingly they sent a delegation to prevail on the Negus to expel the Muslims from his country. He called the Muslims to his court and asked them to explain as to what was the faith they had adopted. Jafar, acting as the spokesman of the Muslims presented such a splendid picture of Islam that the Negus was much impressed, and he refused to oblige the Quraish.
No comments:
Post a Comment