The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
After the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were summoned to the court of Najaashi to respond to the allegations made against them by the envoys of the Quraish, they were greatly concerned and worried, but they entrusted their affair to Allah Ta‘ala.
Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came before the king, Najaashi, and delivered his heart-rending speech, wherein he described the beautiful teachings of Islam which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) brought to them, as well as explained their pitiful condition prior to Islam. When Najaashi heard the speech of Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he was greatly touched, and he realized that this was nothing but a plot of the Quraish to try and convince him to hand over the Sahaabah to them. Therefore, he refused to hand over the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) over to their envoys.
Thus, Amr bin Aas and Abdullah bin Abi Rabee’ah left the royal court of the king disappointed and dejected. However, Amr bin Aas was not dissuaded from his evil task, and was still determined to somehow turn Najaashi against the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Hence, he said to Abdullah bin Abi Rabee’ah, “Tomorrow, I will stand before Najaashi and mention something to him regarding them which is such that upon hearing what I have to say, he will become angered with them and completely destroy them.”
Abdullah bin Abi Rabee’ah said to him, “We should not do this to them, as we have family ties with them! Even though we oppose them as far as our religion is concerned, they are, after all, our family!” However, Amr bin Aas was adamant and determined to go ahead with his sinister plan.
The following day, Amr bin Aas presented himself in the Royal court and said to Najaashi, “O King! These Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) make a very serious statement in regard to Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam)! Summon them and ask them what they have to say in regard to Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam)!” Hearing this, Najaashi summoned the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) once again.
On receiving the summons, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were even more worried at this time than they had been the first time they were summoned. When one of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) asked what they would say to Najaashi regarding Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam), then all of them were unanimous and said, “We will say exactly what Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) have informed us. No matter what happens, we will not say anything besides that.”
When they arrived in the Royal court, Najaashi asked them, “What is your belief regarding Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam)?” Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Our belief is the same as the belief of our Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Our belief is that Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was the servant and messenger of Allah Ta‘ala. He was the rooh and the word of Allah Ta‘ala which Allah Ta‘ala blew his soul into his mother, Hazrat Mariam via Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam).”
Hearing this, Najaashi picked up a small stick from the ground, held it up and said, “By Allah! Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) is exactly as you people have stated. His position is no more than that – not even to the extent of this small stick!”
The ministers in the court were disappointed and dismayed when they heard this, but Najaashi was not bothered in the least. He said to them, “You may frown in displeasure as much as you like, but this is the reality.” He then addressed the Muslims and said, “You may live in my land with complete peace. Even if I am given a mountain of gold to act against you, I would not accept it and I would not oppress you in any way.”
He then commanded that all the gifts which the Quraish had brought for him should be returned to them. He said, “I have no need for their gifts. By Allah! Allah Ta‘ala has blessed me with power and empire without any type of bribery. Thus, I will never accept bribery from you to hand the Muslims over to you.”
Najaashi then turned to the envoy of the Quraish and expelled them from Abyssinia, commanding them to immediately leave his land.
It is mentioned that Najaashi also said, “I testify that he (Muhammed [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]) is the Rasul of Allah Ta‘ala regarding whom Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) had given glad tidings. If it were not for my responsibilities as king, I would have went to him to serve him and carry his shoes. You Sahaabah may live in my land for as long as you wish!” Saying this, Najaashi bestowed them with gifts of food and clothing. Some narrations mention that Najaashi accepted Islam at this time, while other narrations mention that he accepted Islam later on.
In this manner, the sitting of the Royal court concluded. The Muslims emerged from the court delighted and overjoyed, while the delegation of the Quraish left the court embarrassed and disappointed.
(Rowdh-ul-Unuf 2/108-115 & Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/67-73)
