The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

26 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims' (siirat Al-'Imr~n; 111, v.63). But if you
refuse, then upon you is the sin of those of your people who are Christians."
Al-Bayhaqi related it thus after the narrative of the migration to Abyssinia.
There are various opinions concerning this account. It is clear that this document
was to the Negus who, in addition to being a Muslim, (was also) the friend
of Jacfar and his companions.
It relates to the time when he (Muhammad) wrote to all the rulers on earth
inviting them to God, the Almighty and Glorious, shortly before the conquest
(of Mecca). He wrote to Heraclius, the head of the Romans and the Caesar of
Syria, to Chosroe, the king of the Persians, to the ruler of Egypt as well as to the
Negus.
Al-Zuhri stated, 'LThe letters to them from the Prophet (SAAS) were all
the same, i.e. copies, and all quoted this same verse which comes from swat
Al-'Imran, a chapter that is incontrovertibly from the Medina period. The verse
comes from the early part of the siirat."
Eighty-three verses of this siirat, from its beginning, relate to the delegation
from Najran, as I asserted in my Tafsir (Exegesrs). And to God belong all praise
and credit.
And so this document was to the second Negus, not to the first.
Regarding the words therein, "To the Negus al-Asham . . ." perhaps the word
"al-Asham" is an interpolation by the narrator, based on his understanding. But
God knows best.
More relevant here than this is what al-Bayhaqi also narrated, from al-Haim,
from Aha al-Hasan b. 'Abd Allah al-Faqih, of Merve, who stated, "Hammad
h. Ahmad related to us, quoting Muhammad b. Ishaq and Salama h. al-Fadl,
all from Muhammad h. Ishaq, who said, 'The Messenger of God (SAAS) sent
'Amr b. Umayya al-Damri with a letter he wrote to the Negus concerning
Ja'far b. Aha T3ib and his companions: "In the name of God the most
Merciful and compassionate: from Muhammad, Messenger of God, to the
Negus al-Asham, king of Abyssinia: Peace be upon you. I express to you my
praises for God the King, the All-Holy, the Faithful, and the Protector; I testify
that Jesus is the spirit of God and His word that He cast unto Mary, the good,
chaste, unviolated Virgin. And so she bore Jesus, whom He created from His
spirit and His breath, just as He created Adam by His hand and breath. I call
upon you to believe the One God Who has no associate. To Him all obedience
is due. (I call upon you, tr.) to follow me, to believe in me as well as in that
which has come down to me. For I am the Messenger of God. And I have sent
to you my nephew Ja'far along with a group of Muslims. When they come to
you receive them hospitably. Do not he haughty, for I invite you and your
forces to God the Almighty and Glorious. I have conveyed my message and
given advice. So accept my advice. And peace he upon those who follow the
true path."