Approaching the West — Page 23
A pproaching the West—23 Ethiopia) where a Christian ruler by the name of Naj ā sh ī (or Negus) was well-known for his just and compassionate rule. The opponents of Isl ā m, the Meccans sent their envoys to fetch those Muslims back, but the Christian king of Abyssinia refused to do so unless he heard the Muslims to present their case in his court. When asked by the king to explain the new religion, Ja‘far bin Ab ū Ṭā lib, a leader of the refugee Muslims, made the following statement: O, king! We were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism; we adored idols, and lived unchastely; we ate dead bodies, and spoke abominations. We disregarded every decent human feeling, and ignored the duties of hospitality and good neighborhood. We knew no law but that the might is right. Then, God raised among us a man of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty and purity we were well- aware. He called us to the Unity of God, and taught us not to associate anything with Him. He forbade us from the worship of idols; and enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be merciful and to discharge the rights of neighbors. He forbade us to speak evil of women; or to usurp the property of the orphans. He commanded us to stay away from sin, and abstain from evil. He taught us to offer prayers, render alms and to observe fast. We have believed in him, and accepted his teachings and his injunctions to worship God, and not to associate anything with Him. For