Migration to Abyssinia
The next step taken by the Prophet ﷺ was aimed at protecting the small Muslim community from the growing hostility in Makkah. He had heard much about the King of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), who was known as a fair and just Christian ruler—one who would not permit oppression within his realm. The Prophet ﷺ, therefore, directed some of his followers to migrate to Abyssinia, where they could find safety and peace.
In the month of Rajab, five years after Muhammed ﷺ was granted prophethood, the first group of Muslims set out across the Red Sea. This group consisted of twelve men and four women, led by Uthman bin Affan (RA), who was accompanied by his wife, Ruqayyah (RA)—one of the daughters of the Prophet ﷺ. Their journey marked the first migration for the sake of faith since the time of Prophets Ibrahim (AS) and Lut (AS).
Late at night, the small group quietly slipped out of Makkah and made their way to the port of Sha’iba, near Jeddah. By Allah’s grace, two merchant ships were docked there. The migrants boarded one and safely sailed to Abyssinia, where they found the refuge and security they sought.
When the Quraysh learned that some Muslims had escaped, their anger flared. They quickly dispatched men to bring them back, intending to punish them severely so that others would abandon Islam. However, by the time their pursuers reached the coast, the ships had already set sail. Disappointed, the Quraysh returned to Makkah, furious and humiliated.
_______________________________________
The Quraysh Prostrate Along with the Muslims
About two months after the migration to Abyssinia, Muhammed ﷺ went to the Kaʿbah. Many of the Quraysh nobles and chiefs were gathered there. The Surah An-Najm (The Star) had recently been revealed to him.
Suddenly, the Prophet ﷺ stood and began reciting the verses aloud before the Quraysh. His words were unlike anything they had ever heard—majestic, eloquent, and full of divine power. The entire assembly was struck silent; none could interrupt or mock him.
When the Prophet ﷺ reached the final verse—
“So prostrate to Allah and worship Him.” (Surah An-Najm 53:62)
—he fell in prostration before his Lord. In a moment of awe, every person present, even the disbelievers, involuntarily prostrated with him. Ibn Mas’ud (RA) later recalled that one of the Quraysh, Umayyah bin Khalaf, had merely rubbed dust on his forehead, saying, “This is enough for me.” Ironically, Ibn Mas’ud (RA) would later witness Umayyah’s death in the Battle of Badr.
________________________________________
Return of the Immigrants
News soon reached the Muslims in Abyssinia that the Quraysh had prostrated upon hearing the Qur’an. A rumor spread that the Quraysh had embraced Islam. Overjoyed, the exiles decided to return home.
However, as they neared Makkah, they discovered that the rumor was false—the Quraysh had not accepted Islam, and the persecution was as fierce as ever. Saddened, some of the returnees went back to Abyssinia, while others remained in Makkah under the protection of sympathetic non-Muslims.
________________________________________
The Second Migration to Abyssinia
The Quraysh were embarrassed by the incident of their collective prostration, which had made them appear weak. To reassert their authority, they increased their persecution of the Muslims.
At the same time, they grew resentful of the kindness shown by the King of Abyssinia to the Muslim refugees. Their envy led them to plan further retaliation.
Seeing the worsening situation, the Prophet ﷺ advised another group of Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia. This second group consisted of eighty-two (or eighty-three) men and eighteen women. Despite the vigilance of the Quraysh, they managed to leave Makkah quietly and make their way to safety.
________________________________________
The Quraysh Attempt to Extradite the Muslims
Unable to bear the thought that the Muslims were living freely under the protection of a foreign king, the Quraysh devised a plan to bring them back. They sent two clever and persuasive men, Amr bin Al-‘Aas and Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’ah, to Abyssinia, carrying rich gifts for the King and his bishops.
Upon arrival, the envoys first visited the bishops, bribing them with the gifts to gain influence. Then they presented themselves before the King, saying:
“O King! Some foolish young men from our people have abandoned the faith of their forefathers and invented a new religion, unlike yours or ours. Their families have sent us to return them home, for they have caused great discord in our community.”
The bishops supported the envoys’ request, urging the King to hand the Muslims over. But the King, known for his justice, said:
“No. I shall not surrender them without hearing their side of the story. Let them be summoned.”
________________________________________
Ja’far bin Abi Talib’s Speech
When the Muslims were brought before the King, he asked them why they had abandoned their people’s faith. Ja’far bin Abi Talib (RA), the Prophet’s cousin, stood and eloquently replied:
“O King, we were once a people steeped in ignorance. We worshipped idols, ate carrion, and committed shameful deeds. We neglected family ties and oppressed our neighbors. The strong among us devoured the weak. We lived thus until Allah sent to us a Messenger from among ourselves—whose truthfulness, trustworthiness, and noble lineage we all knew.
He called us to worship Allah alone and to abandon the idols our forefathers had worshipped. He commanded us to speak the truth, honor our trusts, show kindness to relatives and neighbors, and refrain from bloodshed and sin. He forbade us from falsehood, injustice, consuming the property of orphans, and slandering chaste women.
He taught us to worship Allah alone, to pray, to give charity, and to fast. We believed in him and followed what he brought. But our people opposed us, tortured us, and sought to force us back into disbelief. When they oppressed us and prevented us from practicing our religion, we fled to your land, seeking your protection. We trust that we shall not be wronged here.”
The King listened attentively and then asked Ja’far (RA) if he could recite something revealed to Muhammed ﷺ. Ja’far recited verses from Surah Maryam, recounting the story of Maryam (Mary) and the birth of Isa (Jesus, AS).
The King and his bishops were deeply moved. Tears streamed down their faces, soaking their beards. The King said:
“Indeed, what you have recited and what Jesus brought come from the same divine light.”
He then turned to the Quraysh envoys and declared:
“Go back. By Allah, I shall never surrender them to you, nor shall they be harmed while they live under my protection.”
________________________________________
The Quraysh Envoys Fail
The following day, the Quraysh envoys returned, hoping to stir the King’s anger by claiming:
“O King, they say a terrible thing about Jesus, the son of Mary!”
The King again summoned the Muslims and asked what they said about Jesus (AS).
Ja’far (RA) replied:
“We say about him what our Prophet ﷺ taught us: that he is the servant of Allah, His Messenger, His Spirit, and His Word which He bestowed upon the blessed virgin Maryam.”
The King then picked up a small stick and said:
“By Allah, Jesus, the son of Mary, is no more than what you have said—no greater than this stick’s length.”
He turned to the Muslims and said:
“Go forth and live in peace within my land. Whoever harms you shall be punished. Not for a mountain of gold would I harm you.”
He then ordered that all the gifts brought by the Quraysh be returned to them. Defeated and humiliated, the envoys departed for Makkah empty-handed.