Migration to Abyssinia

At first, the Quraishite nobles tried to convince Prophet’s (PBUH) followers that he was a lunatic or a
magician. However, when this method did not work, they resorted to physical abuse and torture. The
followers who had no tribal protection were subjected to inhuman torture. When the persecution
became intolerable, Prophet (PBUH) received a revelation by the middle of the 5th year of Prophethood.
It hinted at allowing the Muslims to migrate to a safer place:

“GOOD IS FOR THOSE WHO DO GOOD IN THIS WORLD, AND ALLAH’S EARTH IS SPACIOUS: ONLY THOSE
WHO ARE PATIENT SHALL RECEIVE THEIR REWARDS IN FULL.”

Prophet (PBUH) knew that Najashi was a fair and honest ruler of Abyssinia. Accordingly, in the 5th year
of Prophethood and the month of Rajab, Prophet (PBUH) authorized his companions to migrate to
Abyssinia. The total migrants were 15 in number, including 11 men and four women. They also included
Hazrat Usman (R.A) and Hazrat Ruqqaiyah (R.A). On this occasion, Prophet (PBUH) remarked:

“THEY ARE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO MIGRATE IN CAUSE OF ALLAH AFTER IBRAHIM AND LOT.”

These immigrants found a haven under the just and humble ruler, Najashi.

The Quraishite Chiefs got worried and alarmed upon hearing the welcoming of Muslims in Abyssinia.
Foreseeing the possible growth of Islam, they decided to counter the move. Two notable Makkans were
dispatched with expensive gifts and massive bribes to influence Najashi to deport the Muslims
immigrants. Those were Amr bin al-As and Abdullah bin Rubiya. Upon reaching Abyssinia, they
complained to Army generals that these Muslims have run from Makka and blamed that they had
renounced their religion not for the sake of Christianity but a ‘new religion.’

The king summoned the Muslim representatives such as Usman (R.A), Hamza (R.A) and Jaffar (R.A).
Najashi asked them a few questions about Islam and Jaffar gave satisfactory answers to him. He also
enlighten some of the similarities between Christianity and Islam. He recited the verses of Surah al-
Maryam: “And make mention of Mary in the Book when she withdrew from her people unto a place
towards East and secluded herself from them, and We sent unto her Our spirit.” Jaffar (R.A) further
added the words of Hazrat Jibrael (R.A) that he expressed to Mary: “I am only a messenger from your
Lord, that I may give you the new of the birth of a holy son.”

Najashi and his generals could not resist weeping as they had they’re softened by the recitation. He
dismissed the appeal of returning the Muslims to Makkans and allowed them-them to live in solace as
long as they want to. Najashi later embraced Islam too. From this successful migration, then a large
band of Muslims migrated to Abyssinia too which was called the ‘second migration to Abyssinia. It
consisted of 83 men and 18 women and children.