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

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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."
IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA?L IBN KATHiR ' 27 "'The Negus wrote back to the Messenger of God (SAAS) as follows: "In the name of God, the most Merciful and Compassionate: To Muhammad the Messenger of God from the Negus al-Asham b. Abjar: Peace be upon you, 0 Prophet of God, from God, along with the mercy and blessings of God. There is no god hut Him who guided me to Islam. Your letter, 0 Messenger of God, in which you made reference to Jesus, has reached me. And, by the God of the heavens and the earth, Jesus is no more than what you stated. We recognize what you have been sent with to us. We have received your nephew and his friends with hospitality. And I do testify that you are the Messenger of God, that you speak the truth and are to be believed. I pledge my allegiance to you and to your nephew, accepting Islam at his hands for God, the Lord of the universe. I have sent to you, 0 Prophet of God, Ariha h. al-Asham b. Abjar, for I possess nothing hut myself. If you wish for me to come to you, I will do so, 0 Messenger of God, for I testify that what you say is truth."'" An Account of the disagreement of the Qumysh tribes of the Banii Hiishim and the Ban& 'Abd al-Mu;[alib in helping the Messenger of God (+WAS). Also concerning their conjinement of them in the quarter ofAbii Tiilib for a lengthy period and their writing an evil, brazen document to that effect. And the signs of the prophethood and proofs of the truth that became evident regarding all this. Mnsa b. 'Uqba stated, from al-Zuhri: "The polytheists thereafter became so violent in their actions against the Muslims that the plight of the latter became extreme. And Quraysh so united in their evil intent as to agree to kill the Messenger of God (SAAS) in full view. "When Aha Talib realized their purposes, he gathered the Bana 'Abd al-Murplib and told them to include the Messenger of God (SAAS) in their enclave and to protect him against those wishing to murder him. "The Muslims and non-believers of the tribe did agree to this, some out of a desire to uphold traditions of protection, others out of their faith and conviction. "When Quraysh realized that these were in agreement to protect the Messenger of God (SAAS), the polytheists among them made a pact not to sit down with, nor to do business with them, nor to enter the homes of these people until they surrendered the Messenger of God (SAAS) to execution. They cunningly drew up agreements and pacts to the effect that they would never accept peace or reconciliation with the Bana Hashim until they delivered him up for death. "The Bann Hashim therefore remained for three years confined to their enclave, suffering great deprivation. Their markets had been cut off; no food was allowed into Mecca for them, and all their business dealings were interrupted.
Page 2 and 3: The Center for Muslim Contribution
Page 4 and 5: CONTENTS Foreword About this Series
Page 6 and 7: CONTENTS vii Chapter: On the birth
Page 8 and 9: In the Name of God, the Beneficent,
Page 10 and 11: ABOUT THIS SERIES THIS series of Ar
Page 12 and 13: CENTER FOR MUSLIM CONTRIBUTION TO C
Page 14 and 15: INTRODUCTION HE work at hand in its
Page 16 and 17: INTRODUCTION xvii rather rudimentar
Page 18 and 19: INTRODUCTION nix scholars of Islami
Page 20 and 21: INTRODUCTION xxi in pertinent ways.
Page 22 and 23: INTRODUCTION xxiii Finally, the tru
Page 24 and 25: TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE xxv ave been i
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The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

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