The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who had migrated to Abyssinia remained in Abyssinia for few years until they received news that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had commanded the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to make hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah.
Upon receiving this news, many of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who were in Abyssinia set out for Madinah Munawwarah. These Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) comprised of approximately thirty-three men and eight women.
Since they travelled via sea, they had to first come to the port of Jeddah before going to Madinah Munawwarah. Hence, upon reaching Jeddah, they decided to come to Makkah Mukarramah before leaving for Madinah Munawwarah. As they reached Makkah Mukarramah, two men from among them passed away, and seven were taken captive by the Quraish. The remaining twenty-four men were able to leave Makkah Mukarramah and travel to Madinah Munawwarah. These Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) reached Madinah Munawwarah prior to the Battle of Badr, and they were blessed by Allah Ta‘ala to participate in the Battle of Badr. (Uyoon-ul-Athar 1/139)
Certain Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) remained in Abyssinia and only departed a few years later, arriving in Madinah Munawwarah in the year 7 A.H. around the time of the conquest of Khaibar. Among these Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) was Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Sharhuz Zurqaani 3/299)
It is reported that at the time when Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his companions were leaving Abyssinia to travel to Madinah Munawwarah by ship, the king Najaashi bore all their travel costs and expenses and even supplied them with provisions for the journey. Furthermore, he presented a number of gifts to them, as well as gifts to be given to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Najaashi also sent a messenger with them with the following message, “Inform Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) regarding the manner in which I honoured you and allowed you to stay in my land. Also inform him that I have embraced Islam and I bear testimony that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah, and that you are His final messenger. I also request you to seek forgiveness on my behalf from Allah Ta‘ala.”
Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions, “We departed from Abyssinia, and on arriving in the blessed presence of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely happy to see me. He hugged me and exclaimed in happiness, ‘I do not know if I am more pleased over the conquest of Khaibar or I am more pleased over the arrival of Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) from Abyssinia.’”
At that time, the messenger of Najaashi stood before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “(O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!) Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is here before you. Ask him how our Emperor had received him and treated him throughout his stay in Abyssinia.”
Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Undoubtedly, Najaashi welcomed us and treated us in the most honoured manner. In fact, he showed us such kindness that when we departed from Abyssinia, he even provided us with conveyances and provisions for the journey. He offered us his full support and assistance. He also testified that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah and he testified that you are certainly the messenger of Allah. He also requests that you make dua to Allah Ta‘ala for his forgiveness.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) immediately stood, performed wudhu and made the following dua for Najaashi thrice:
اللهم اغفر للنجاشي
O Allah! Forgive Najaashi!
Hearing this dua, all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) said ameen.
Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions, “I then said to the messenger of Najaashi, ‘When you return to Abyssinia, then describe to Najaashi what transpired and how Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made dua for him.’” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #9845, Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/69-70)
In some narrations, it is mentioned that Najaashi had also sent gifts for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Together with gifts, he had also sent his nephew (brother’s son) to serve Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in his place. This nephew, whose name was either Zu Mikhbar or Zu Mikhmar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), was blessed to become a Sahaabi and serve Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Hazrat Abu Umaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that when the delegation of Najaashi came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) stood and began to personally serve them. Seeing this, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) immediately said, “O Rasul of Allah! We will serve them on your behalf!”
To this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “These people had honoured and shown a great amount kindness to my Sahaabah, so I desire that I personally repay their kindness by serving them myself.” (Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/76)
