Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

114 The Battles of the Camel and Siffeen, and the issue of arbitration
heard someone shouting that the Messenger of Allah (g) had been
killed, so he came out of his house unsheathing and brandishing his
sword. He was met head-on by the Messenger of Allah (g), who
said: 'What is the matter, 0 Zuhayr?' He said: 'I heard that you had
been killed.' The Prophet (g) said: 'What were you going to do?' He
said: 'By AUah, I was going to take revenge on all the people of
Makkah.' The Prophet (g) prayed for good for him." Sa'eed said: "I
am certain that the Prophet's prayer for him will not he overlooked by
(@)."395
1.8.2. His migration to Abyssinia
When the persecution of the Messenger of Allah (gJ and his
Companions by Quraysh grew intense, he suggested to them that
they should migrate to Abyssinia, where they could live under the
care of the Negus, the just king. They stayed with him in the best land
and under the best care, and they remained there safe and secure until
an Abyssinian man came to fight the Negus for his kingdom. The
Muslims grieved deeply; they were afraid that this new man would
prevail and would not recognise the virtue and status of the pure
Companions (may Allah he pleased with them). The Companions
wanted to find out about the conflict that was taking place between
the Negus and that man on the other side of the ~ i l e Umm . ~ ~ ~
Salamah (e) said: "The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (g)
said: 'Who~will go out to see the battle and bring hack news?' Az-
Zubayr ibn al-'Awwh said, 'I will.' They said, 'You?', because he
was the youngest of the peopie. They inflated a waterskin for him,
and he put it under his chest; then he swam across until he reached
that point of the Nile where the people had met (in battle). He
continued until he reached them. Meanwhile we prayed to Allah (g)
to give the Negus victory over his enemy and to establish him in his
own country. By Allah, we were doing that, waiting for what might
happen, when az-Zubayr came running, waving his garment and