A Deputation to Abyssinia (Ethiopia)

                       
                  The letters of the Prophet Muhammad
                           (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

To the kings beyond Arabia
Late in the six year A.H., on his return from Hudaibiyah, the Prophet Muhammad , decided to send messages to the kings beyond Arabia calling them to Islam. In order to authenticate the credentials of his envoys, a silver seal was made in which were  graven the words: "Muhammad the Messenger of Allâh

                                                                                                    [Sahih Al-Bukhari 2/872,873] 

      1-A Deputation to Abyssinia (Ethiopia)

                             

 Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), his name was Ashama bin

Al-Abjar, received the Prophet’s message, despatched by Amr

binOmaiyah Ad-Damari, which At-Tabari referred to, either late

in thesixth year or early in the seventh year A.H. Deep scrutiny

into theletter shows that it was not the one sent after Al-

Hudaibiyah event.Wording of the letter rather indicates that it

was sent to that kingwhen Ja‘far and his companions emigrated to

Abyssinia (Ethiopia)during the Makkan period. One of its

sentences read"I have despatched my cousin, Ja‘far (may Allâh

be pleased wthhim) with a group of Muslims, to you. Do be

generous towardsthem and give up haughtiness."

 Al-Baihaqi, on the authority of Ibn Ishaq, gave the following narration of the Prophet’s letter sent to Negus:"This letter is sent from Muhammad, the Prophet to Negus Al-Ashama, the king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia).Peace be upon him who follows true guidance and believes inAllâh and His Messenger. I bear witness that there is no god butAllâh Alone with no associate, He has taken neither a wife nor a son, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. I call you unto the fold of Islam; if you embrace Islam, you will find safety,"Say (O Muhammad ): ‘O people of the Scripture (Jewsand Christians), come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate nopartners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bearwitness that we are Muslims.’ "
                                                             [The Noble Qur'an 3:64]

Should you reject this invitation, then you will be held responsible for all the evils of the Christians of your people.

"Dr. Hameedullah (Paris), a reliable verifier, has adduced a version of the above letter disclosed only a short time ago and identical to Ibn Al-Qaiyim’s narration. Dr. Hameedullah exerted painstakingeffort and used all means of modern technology to verify the textof the letter, which reads as follows:

 "In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.From Muhammad the Messenger of Allâh to Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Peace be upon him who follows trueguidance. Salutations, I entertain Allâh’s praise, there is no godbut He, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of peace, the Giverof peace, the Guardian of faith, the Preserver of safety. I bearwitness that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the spirit of Allâh andHis Word which He cast into Mary, the virgin, the good, thepure, so that she conceived Jesus. Allâh created him from Hisspirit and His breathing as He created Adam by His Hand. Icall you to Allâh Alone with no associate and to His obedienceand to follow me and to believe in that which came to me, for Iam the Messenger of Allâh. I invite you and your men to Allâh,the Glorious, the All-Mighty. I hereby bear witness that I havecommunicated my message and advice. I invite you to listenand accept my advice. Peace be upon him who follows trueguidance."
                                                                 [Za'd Al-Ma'ad 3/60]

When ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari communicated the

Apostolicletter to Negus, the latter took the parchment and placed it on hiseye, descended to the floor, confessed his faith in Islam and wrotethe following reply to the Prophet "In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.From Negus Ashama to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh.Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allâh! and mercy and blessing from Allâh beside Whom there is no god.havereceived your letter in which you have mentioned about Jesusand by the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus is not more thanwhat you say. We fully acknowledge that with which you havebeen sent to us and we have entertained your cousin and 

hiscompanions. I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allâh, true and confirming (those who have gone before you), Ipledge to
you through your cousin and surrender myself through him to the Lord of the worlds."

The Prophet [pbuh] had asked Negus to send Ja‘far and his companions, the emigrants to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), back

home.They came back to see the Prophet [pbuh] in Khaibar.

Negus laterdied in Rajab 9 A.H. shortly after Tabuk Ghazwa. The

Prophetannounced his death and observed prayer in absentia for

him.Another king succeeded Negus to the throne and another

letter wassent to him by the Prophet but whether or not he

embracedIslam is still a question not answered yet.

                                                                  [Sahih Muslim 2/99]