They have renounced the beliefs and religion of their...

They have renounced the beliefs and religion of their forefathers and do not recognize the right of Christianity either; on the contrary, they have invented a new religion which neither you nor we have ever heard about. Their fathers, uncles, families and households have sent us as representatives so that we may persuade you to entrust these Muslims to us.

When you have entrusted these Muslims to us, we will return them to their country because their near ones are duty bound to watch over them and control their activities.

The Muslims themselves know very well what kind of disgrace and discredit they have caused their families.” The King got very offended and annoyed by the words of ‘Amru ibn ‘Ās and angrily said, “I swear by Allah that I will not be moved by your words and will not surrender the Muslims to you; on the contrary, I will call the Muslims so that they may explain for themselves why they sought asylum in my country and preferred my protection to the protection of other kings.

I will ask the Muslims themselves to tell me the reality of the matter. I will not surrender and hand them over to you if what they say is logical and contrary to your words. On the contrary, they will find an increase in my favors and attention!” It was in this way that Negus, the King of Ethiopia, summoned the Muslims so that they may inform him more about their beliefs and religion. The Muslims held a meeting and consulted one another about what they ought to do.

They decided to explain the reality of Islam and the laws and orders of the Noble Prophet (S) even though the result would not be in their favor. With this intention, they entered the court of Negus, the King of Ethiopia. The meeting room was well decorated. The high priests of Ethiopia sat around the King with bibles open in front of them.

After the emigrants had occupied the place that had been reserved for them, the King faced them and asked, “What religion is this that you follow and adhere to; a religion which is neither that of your fellow tribesmen nor that of mine, nor that of any other people on earth?” Ja‘far ibn Abī Tālib ( ‘a ), who was a very eloquent youth, stood up to represent the emigrants. He said, “O King!

We were once an ignorant and idol-worshipping people; we used to eat the flesh of dead animals, to commit ugly sins and shameful deeds, to withhold our help from our near ones and behave badly with our neighbors, and the strong among us used to oppress the weak and downtrodden.