An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 16
16 which is also against your faith. They have made trouble in their own land. Some of them have come to your country. We beg of you to send them back with us. ” The Negus summoned the Muslims to his court and asked them what they had to say. Jafar, their leader, said, “O King, we were ignorant. We worshipped idols. We had evil ways. We were bad to our relations and neighbours. The hand of the strong among us was heavy on the weak. God raised a Prophet among us. We knew well that he was a honest and a man of truth. He ta ught us to worship one God, to give up idols, to speak the truth, to be honest, to be kind to neighbours, to give up evil ways and not to eat the property of the orphans. We believed in him and obeyed him. But our people were cruel to us and used force aga inst us. We left our homes and are now refugees in your land. We hope, O King, that we would not come to any harm under you. ” The Negus then asked Jafar to read to him the Quran. He read out a part of Sura Maryam. The Negus was deeply moved. He ordered the Quresh back to their homes and returned to them their presents.