Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar). Excellent Biography of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Episode 129

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Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar).

Excellent Biography of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Episode 129

THE PROPHET'S PLANS TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM BEYOND ARABIA

Late in the six year A.H., on his return from Hudaibiyah, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) decided to send messages to the kings beyond Arabia calling them to Islam. In order to authenticate the credentials of his envoys, a silver seal was made in which were graven the words: “ Muhammad the Messenger of Allâh” in the following formation: 

ãÍãÏ 

ÑÓÜÜæá 

Çááå 

Envoys were chosen on the basis of their experience and knowledge, and sent on their errands in 

Muharram in the year 7 A.H., a few days before heading for Khaibar. 

1. A Deputation to Abyssinia (Ethiopia):

Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), his name was Ashama bin Al-Abjar, received the Prophet’s 

message, despatched by Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari, which At-Tabari referred to, either late in the 

sixth year or early in the seventh year A.H. Deep scrutiny into the letter shows that it w as not the 

one sent after Al-Hudaibiyah event. Wording of the letter rather indicates that it was sent to that 

king when Ja‘far and his companions emigrated to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) during the Makkan period. 

One of its sentences read “I have despatched my cousin, Ja‘far with a group of Muslims, to you. Do 

be generous towards them and give up haughtiness.” 

Al-Baihaqi, on the authority of Ibn Ishaq, gave the following narration of the Prophet’s letter sent to 

Negus: 

“This letter is sent from Muhammad, the Prophet to Negus Al-Ashama, the king of Abyssinia 

(Ethiopia). 

Peace be upon him who follows true guidance and believes in Allâh and His Messenger. I bear 

witness that there is no god but Allâh Alone with no associate, He has taken neither a wife nor a 

son, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. I call you unto the fold of Islam; if you 

embrace Islam, you will find safety, 

• “Say [O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and 

Christians), come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but 

Allâh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as

lords besides Allâh.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ ” 

[3:64] 

Should you reject this invitation, then you will be held responsible for all the evils of the Christians 

of your people.” 

Dr. Hameedullah (Paris), a reliable verifier, has adduced a version of the above letter disclosed only 

a short time ago and identical to Ibn Al-Qaiyim’s narration. Dr. Hameedullah exerted painstaking effort and used all means of modern technology to verify the text of the letter, which reads as 

follows: 

“In the Name of Allâh,the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 

From Muhammad the Messenger of Allâh to Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). 

Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Salutations, I entertain Allâh’s praise, there is no g od 

but He, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of peace, the Giver of peace, the Guardian of faith, the 

Preserver of safety. I bear witness that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the spirit of Allâh and His Word 

which He cast into Mary, the virgin, the good, the pure, so that she conceived Jesus. Allâh created 

him from His spirit and His breathing as He created Adam by His Hand. I call you to Allâh Alone with 

no associate and to His obedience and to follow me and to believe in that which came to me, for I 

am the Messenger of Allâh. I invite you and your men to Allâh, the Glorious, the All-Mighty. I hereby 

bear witness that I have communicated my message and advice. I invite you to listen and accept 

my advice. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance.” 

The text of this letter is doubtlessly authentic, but to maintain that it was written after Al-

Hudaibiyah event is still a question lacking in definite evidence. 

When ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari communicated the Apostolic letter to Negus, the latter took the 

parchment and placed it on his eye, descended to the floor, confessed his faith in Islam and wrote 

the following reply to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). 

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 

From Negus Ashama to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh. Peace be upon you, O Messenger of 

Allâh! and mercy and blessing from Allâh beside Whom there is no god. I have received your letter 

in which you have mentioned about Jesus and by the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus is not more 

than what you say. We fully acknowledge that with which you have been sent to us and we have 

entertained your cousin and his companions. I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allâh, 

true and confirming (those who have gone before you), I pledge to you through your cousin and 

surrender myself through him to the Lord of the worlds.” 

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) had asked Negus to send Ja‘far and his companions, the 

emigrants to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), back home. They came back to see the Prophet (Peace be upon 

him) in Khaibar. Negus later died in Rajab 9 A.H. shortly after Tabuk Ghazwa. The Prophet (Peace 

be upon him) announced his death and observed prayer in absentia for him. Another king succeeded 

Negus to the throne and another letter was sent to him by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) but 

whether or not he embraced Islam is still a question not answered yet.