|
As with Syria and Persia, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
sent a messenger to the Negus (or King)
of Abyssinia, with the following letter:
"Peace. Praise be to Allah, the
King, the All-Holy, the Peacemaker, the
Keeper of Faith, the Watcher.
"He is Allah, there is no divinity
but He, the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One,
the All-peaceable, the Keeper of Faith,
the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller,
the All-sublime. Glorified be Allah from
all that they associate with Him.
(Koran lix.23)
"And I testify that Jesus, son of
Mary, is the spirit of Allah and His Word
which He cast to Mary the Virgin, the
good, the pure, so that she conceived
Jesus. Allah Created him from His Spirit
and His Breath as He created Adam by His
Hand and His Breath. I call you to Allah,
the Unique, without partner, to His obedience,
and to follow me and to believe in that
which came to me, for I am the Messenger
of Allah.
"I have sent to you my cousin Jafar
with a number of Muslims, and when they
come, entertain them without haughtiness,
for I invite you and your armies to Allah.
I have accomplished my work and my admonition,
so receive my advice. Peace be upon all
those who follow true guidance."
The King of Abyssinia was a very wise man,
and was thought by the world to be a good
Christian. He had, of course, already heard
of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and his religion
from the Muslims who had sought refuge in
his country years before. He was deeply
moved by the letter and when he came down
from his throne it was not just to show
his respect but also to declare that he
was already a Muslim.
He answered the Prophet's letter with one
of his own.
"To Muhammad the Prophet of Allah
from the Negus al-Asham, King of Abyssinia.
"Assalamu aleikum O Prophet of Allah
wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu
"There is none like Him who has
guided me to Islam. I received your letter,
O Messenger of Allah. Some of your followers,
as well as your cousin Ja’far, still
live here. I believe you are truly the
Messenger of God and reaffirm the pledge
of allegiance I made to you some time
ago before your cousin Ja'far, at whose
hand I joined Islam and surrendered to
the Lord of the Worlds."
|
