An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 15
15 to permit them to fight back the Quresh. The Prophet said, “I have been commanded to forgive. Fight not therefore. ” Dutiful companions of the good Prophet obeyed and remained patient as before. Migrate to Abyssinia But the Prophet was in deep grief. He was distressed on account of the sad plight of Muslims. He advised some to depart for Abyssinia. The Prophet told them that they would find peace there. Many Muslims left Mecca. Among them were Jafar bin Abi Talib, Uth man bin Affan and his wife Rukkiya, a daughter of the Prophet, Zubair bin al - Awam, Abdur Rahman bin Auf, Mazhar bin Umair, Abu Salma bin Abdul Asad, Abu Hazifa, Abu Salma bin and Uthman bin Mazoon. Most of them commanded respect among the Meccans before jo ining the ranks of Islam. But now things had changed. They lived happily in Abyssinia. Soon some more followed them. Negus Offers Protection In all one hundred Muslims went over to seek asylum with the Negus. The Quresh of Mecca were angry at this. They sent two men, Amar bin Alas and Abdullah bin Rabi, with presents to the King of Abyssinia. Addressing the monarch, they said, “O King, some fools of our town have given up the religion of their fathers. They have started a new faith,