Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 78
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 78 vice, falsehood, bloodshed, and devouring the substance of the orphan. We believed in him and followed him, on account of which our people turned against us, persecuted us, afflicted us and tormented us in diverse ways. They tried to wean us away from our faith by force. Thus, we were compelled to leave our home and to seek asylum in your country. We hope that under you we shall be safeguarded against tyranny. ’ Najashi was impressed by what Jafar had said and asked him to recite to him somewhat of the revelation in which they had believed. Thereupon, Jafar recited the opening verses of Sura Maryam, hearing which Najashi was deeply moved and, with tears in his eye s, said: ‘I perceive that these words and the words of Jesus have proceeded from the same Source of Light. ’ He told the delegation of Quraish to go back, and that he would not send the Muslims with them. He also returned their presents to them. This set - back did not discourage the delegation of Quraish, who requested another audience of Najashi and on being granted it, submitted to him that the Muslims did not look upon Jesus with respect and were thus guilty of blasphemy. Najashi sent for them a nd asked them what was their belief concerning Jesus. Jafar replied that they believed that Jesus was a servant of Allah, and not God, but an exalted messenger of God, and was born of the Word of God, which He had sent down upon Mary. On hearing this, Naja shi picked up a straw from the floor and said, ‘I do not regard Jesus greater than what you have told me even by the weight of this straw. ’ His remark upset the Christian clerics, who were present, but Najashi did not pay any attention to them and the dele gation of Quraish had to return disappointed.