The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 214
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 214 An Unsuccessful Delegation of the Quraish to the Royal Court of the Negus In any case, when the Quraish witnessed the Muslims safely slip their hands, and go on to lead a life of peace and security in Abyssinia, the fire of their fury was further enflamed. Ultimately, they decided to send two of their exceptional associates, ‘ Amr bin Al-‘Āṣ and ‘ Abdullāh bin Rabī‘ah to Abyssinia. Along with this delegation, not only did they prepare expensive gifts for the Negus himself, but gifts for all his courtiers were also prepared, which were mostly composed of hide, for which Arabia was especially renowned in those days. As such, this delegation departed with great splendour. The purpose of this delegation was to bring the Muslims back, so as to subject them to their cruelties once again. Therefore, upon reaching Abyssinia, ‘ Amr bin Al-‘Āṣ and his associates met with the courtiers of the Negus and presented them with gifts, and through them they acquired way to the court of the Negus. After the presentation of these gifts, they implored the Negus in the following words: “O your Royal Highness! Some of our foolish people have forsaken their ancestral religion and have fashioned a new religion, which opposes your religion as well. They have caused disorder in our land, and some of them have run away and reached here. Thus, we implore you to send them back with us. ” The courtiers concurred, but the Negus, who was a sagacious king, refused to issue a one-sided verdict, saying, “These people have come under my protection. Until I hear their testimony, I cannot say anything. ” Therefore, the Muslim immigrants were brought before the royal court, and addressing them, the Negus said, “What is this matter and what is this new religion that you have fashioned?” Ḥaḍrat Ja‘far bin Abī Ṭālib ra responded on behalf of the Muslims, saying: “O King! We were an ignorant people, we worshipped idols, we ate the flesh of dead animals, we were engaged in adultery and fornication, we severed ties of kinship, we dealt with our neighbours in dishonesty and the powerful among us usurped the rights of the weak. In this state of affairs, Allāh sent His messenger to us, whose nobility, truthfulness and honesty was known to all. He taught us the Unity of God, forbade us from idol worship and gave us teachings of truthfulness in speech, honesty and kind treatment to kith and kin. He