"What does he teach?

"What does he teach?" asked Heracleus "Worship One God, join no partners with Him, carry out your prayers, be chaste, speak the truth and keep union with your relatives" answered Abu Sufyan, even surprised at his own answer as it sounded like he was preaching Islam. Heracleus, stood up and said, "If all you said is true, then I am sure that this Prophet's Kingdom will reach here where I am standing. I was certain that a Prophet was coming, but I didn't know that he would be born in Arabia.

If I were to go there, I would embrace Islam and wash the Prophet's feet with my own hands." This was the way in which the Prophet spread Islam. He impressed them by his truthfulness, honesty, noble character and dedication in the service of Allah. He did not compel people to accept Islam under threat of waging wars, nor did he compel people to accept Islam by the force of the sword. He fought only in defence, and only when the enemies waged war on him.

JA'FER - AT - TAIYAAR THE REFUGEE WHO BROUGHT ISLAM TO AFRICA When the Holy (s.a.w.) began to preach religion of Islam in Mecca, those who did not believe in him and his message, opposed and troubled him. They called him a lunatic and a sorcerer. They offered bribes to persuade him to stop preaching the religion. When all these ways failed, they used harsh threats against the Prophet and the new Muslim converts.

During all these years, the Holy Prophet enjoyed the protection of his uncle Abu Talib. He always stood by his newphew and did not let anyone harm him. The sons of Abu Talib, one by one, accepted Islam. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was right, from his childhood, under the care of the Prophet and was the first one to declare his true faith, Islam, when the Prophet proclaimed his prophethood. He always stood by the Prophet firmly and faithfully both in good and difficult times.

Among the other sons of Abu Talib (a.s.), Ja'fer also accepted Islam and so did Aqeel, the other son of Abu Talib. The torture and oppression which the Holy Prophet and the small group of his followers had been subjected to, had increased so much that life became unbearable. The Holy Prophet decided on an action which not only saved the lives of his followers but also spread the message of Islam to other countries.

He therefore, decided to send some of his followers to Abyssinia., which was just across the Red Sea, to the south of Mecca. The Holy Prophet had great faith in Ja'fer the son of Abu Talib (a.s.) and brother of Hazrat Ali (a.s.).