Al-W¥^idÏ's Asb¥b al-Nuz‰l - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies ...

Asbab al-Nuzul
would like to answer you on behalf of my companions. Command one of these men to speak and let the
other one listen so that you can hear our dialogue’. ‘Amr said to Ja‘far: ‘You speak!’ Ja‘far said to the Negus:
‘Ask this man: are we slaves or freemen If we are runaway slaves, then by all means do return us to our
masters’. The Negus asked: ‘Are they slaves or freemen’ He said: ‘They are respected freemen!’ The Negus
said: ‘They have escaped from slavery’. Ja‘far said: ‘Ask them: have we shed any blood without any legitimate
right for retaliation to be exacted from us’ ‘Amr said: ‘They have not shed even a single drop of
blood’. Ja‘far added: ‘Ask them: have we wrongfully taken the property of any people which we are now
asked to give back’ The Negus said: ‘O ‘Amr! I will pay it back even if it is a kantar’. ‘Amr said: ‘They have
not taken even one kerat’. The Negus said: ‘In that case, what do you want from them’ ‘Amr said: ‘We
were all following one religion, the religion of our forefathers, but they left that and followed a different
religion while we continue to follow it. Their people have therefore sent us so that you hand them over
to us’. The Negus asked: ‘What is the religion which you had previously followed and the one you are following
now Tell me the truth!’ Ja‘far said: ‘The religion which we used to follow and which we have now
abandoned is the religion and matter of Satan; we used to disbelieve in Allah, glorious and majestic is He,
and worship stones. As for the religion to which we have reverted, it is Allah’s religion, Islam, which was
brought to us by a Messenger from Allah who also brought a Scripture like the Scripture brought by Jesus;
in fact both Scriptures agree with one another’. The Negus said: ‘O Ja‘far! You have mentioned a very
serious matter; be deliberate!’ The Negus then ordered that the bells be rang by which he summoned all
his priests and monks. When they all gathered, he said: ‘I implore you by Allah Who revealed the Gospel
to Jesus: is there any mention of a prophet sent by Allah in the interval between the advent of Jesus and
the Day of Judgement’ They said: ‘Yes, by Allah! Jesus has given the good news of his advent. He said:
whoever believes in this prophet believes in him and whoever disbelieves in this prophet disbelieves in
him’. The Negus turned to Ja‘far and said: ‘What does this man say, command and forbid you’ Ja‘far said:
‘He recites unto us the Book of Allah, enjoins good, forbids evil, commands good treatment of one’s
neighbours, keeping ties with one’s kin, showing goodness toward orphans and he also commands us to
worship Allah alone without any associate’. The Negus said: ‘Recite to us some of what he used to recite
to you’. Ja‘far recited to Him Surah the Spider and Surah the Byzantines. The eyes of the Negus and those
with him [among his subjects] overflowed with tears. They said: ‘O Ja‘far, give us more of this wholesome
speech’. Ja‘far read Surah the Cave. At this point, ‘Amr wanted to provoke the Negus. He said: ‘They slander
Jesus and his mother!’ The Negus asked: ‘What do they say about Jesus and his mother’ Ja‘far read
to them Surah Mary and when he recited the section which mentions Jesus and his mother, the Negus
picked up a fragment from a tooth pick (Siwak) — so small that it could get into one’s eye—and said: ‘By
Allah! Jesus did not add to what you have said more than this [i.e. the fragment that he picked]’. He then
turned toward Ja‘far and his companions and said: ‘Go wherever you want in my land. You are safe.
Whoever insults or harms you will face a penalty. Receive the good news and do not be afraid. Today, no
harm shall ever befall the party of Abraham’. ‘Amr asked: ‘And who are the party of Abraham’ He said:
‘They are these people and the leader who sent them here as well as all those who follow them’. The
idolaters denied this and claimed that it was them who were following the religion of Abraham. The
Negus returned the money that ‘Amr and his companion had gifted him, saying: ‘Your gift is a bribe, so
take it back. Allah has appointed me as a king and did not take a bribe from me’. Ja‘far said: ‘And we left.
We lived in a good land with honourable neighbours’. Allah, glorious and majestic is He, revealed to the
Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, in Medina about their dispute regarding Abraham
(Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him) i.e. those who
follow his religion and way, (and this Prophet) i.e. Muhammad, Allah bless him and give him peace, (and
those who believe (with him) and Allah is the Protecing Guardian of the believers)”. 17
Abu Hamid Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Warraq informed us> Abu Ahmad Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-
Jazari> ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Hatim> Abu Sa‘id al-Ashajj> Waki‘> Sufyan ibn Sa‘id> his father>
Abu’l-Duha> ‘Abd Allah who reported that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give peace,
said: “Every prophet has supporters from among other prophets, and my support is my forefather and
my Lord’s intimate friend Abraham”. He then recited: (Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to
Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet). 18
17
Ibn Hisham, Sirah, :288-291.
18
Durr, :238; Qurtubi, :109.
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