Table of Contents

Title Pages

Introduction……………………………………………………….

Statement of the Problem…………………………………………

Objectives of the research…………………………………………

Research Questions………………………………………………..

Methods of data Collection………………………………………..

King Nejash………………………………………………………..

The First March to Ethiopia……………………………………..

How Nejash Treated the Immigrants..........................................

The Quraysh Messengers………………………………………..

Their Relation after Islam achieved Victory…………………...

The list of Sahabas who came to Ethiopia……………………..

The Women Sohabyat Who came to Ethiopia………………

The Letter Exchanges between King Nejash and

Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)…………………………………

References…………………………………………………….

Annexes……………………………………………………….

Introduction

There is a common and established image and understanding about the spread of Islam in the world. Several people including intellectuals who write on the issue assume that Islam is a militant religion. Samuel P. Huntington, for example, in his so called thesis of “clash of Civilizations”, described Islam as a militant religion starting from its origin. However, one can find Ethiopia, the first country, which allowed the migrants of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to exercise their faith peacefully. His Eminency Dr. M. N Alam 43^rd direct dissecent of the Prophet of Islam, president of the world spiritual assembly New York USA, UN Head Quarter Permanent representative of the UNECA, Addis Ababa since 1985 and 2004 visited this country. He has been here for the great respect of king Nejash and his contribution for the Prophet of Islam. I am lucky that I got to know him and took several life changing knowledge and experience. While I was trying to grasp knowledge of Islamic thought, His Eminency told me that, Ethiopia is a shelter for the good people as well as for the bad people. This shows that this country is an umbrella for those who were following the doctrine of Islam and for those who couldn’t find a place in their home place. During that time the king who ruled Abyssinia was a Christian king. This paper deals with biography of this great king Nejash. He was the contemporary of Prophet Mohammed. It was during his time that Arabian society including near and dear relatives of the Prophet Mohammed refused to accept Islam, which was introduced for the first time then by the last prophet of Islam and mankind. Because of this, the Prophet of Islam sent his people to Abyssinia. The king received them and asked about their faith, they answered that it is a monotheistic belief by refering some versions of the Holy Quran. His Eminency Dr. Alam’s opinion is that “human being is a crown creation of God. Descendents of Abraham, the Jewish, Christian and Muslim are cousin brothers”. The king was convinced by Islamic teaching in accordance of the holy Quran and allowed them to practice their religion in the Abyssinian territory. So that today, in Ethiopia there are approximately 50% Muslim population while there are 20% Muslims in the African region. Since then Islam has been practiced peacefully in all parts of Ethiopia. Till now there is a 100% freedom of the practice of Islam due to the current government’s effort of religious freedom in the country. In the later days, the king himself was convinced by Islam and became a believer of the faith

“The first Muslims in Ethiopia were refugees from Mecca, persecuted by the new leading tribe, the reactionary Quraysh. They were honerly received by the ruler of Ethiopia, whom Arabic tradition was named Ashama ibn Abjar, and he settled them in Negash. Located in the northern Tigray province, Negash is the historical center of Islam in Ethiopia and parts of East Africa” Berry (1991).

Due to this, The Prophet of Islam ordered all Muslims not to declare Jihad on Ethiopia. What makes Islam peculiar in Ethiopia, unlike from the rest of the world, is that, in the first place it was preached, spread and accepted peacefully throughout the whole territory of Ethiopia. Secondly, Islam always co-existed in peace with other religions. That is why that one can find family members in Ethiopia who exercise different religions in the same roof. I will try to say more on Islam and Ethiopia in the near future. This paper assess the background of the introduction of Islam to Ethiopia (the then Abyssinia). For this reason the lion’s share of the story gives emphasis on King Nejash.

Statement of the Problem

For centuries, the then Abyssinia, Ethiopia had been remembered as an Orthodox Christian state. There was no separation of state and religion, secularism. This makes the perception towards this state is that; Ethiopia is a state of Christians. It is true that several brutal rulers of the kingdom slaughtered Muslims. It is also true that Muslims were considered as secondary citizens. In addition, forceful conversion of their belief to Christianity was evident particularly during the reign of King Yohannes 4^th.

This kind of system and perception towards the system does not only have domestic consequences. In addition, the perception and understanding of the international community towards Ethiopians Muslims has been blurred. People know Ethiopia by its Christian kingdom and Christian kings. Due to lack of the separation of state and religion, the history of this country was recorded by the church.

However, Islam and Ethiopia have known each other since the birth of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. Ethiopians were among the first Muslims. This true history has not been recorded and properly handled. Therefore, it is the obligation of every citizen to search for the true history of Ethiopia. This paper is just the beginning of the search for this history. It concentrates on the beginning of Islam in Ethiopia. The pioneer to introduce Islam to Ethiopia is the then, powerful Christian king Nejash. The biography of this powerful king, his connections to early years of the spread of Islam, his influence on the rest of Africa to spread Islam is the concern of this research.

Objectives of the Research

The Objectives of this Research are:

-To consider the contributions of King Nejash to Islamic history

-To assess the biography of king Nejash in relation to Islam

-To study the beginning of real Islamic history in Ethiopia and Africa

-To search the reasons why the powerful orthodox Christian king Negash converted in to Islam?

-To assess the relation between king Nejash and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Research Questions

This paper tries to answer the following questions:

1. How Islam inters in to the land of Abyssinia peacefully?

2. How king Nejash accepted and spread Islam throughout Ethiopia and Africa?

3. Why Ethiopia become the first Diaspora to Islam?

4. Why Ethiopia is chosen by the Prophet Mohammed?

5. Why the powerful Orthodox Christian king Nejash become a Muslim?

Methods of Data Collection

This research used both the primary and secondary data. Field observation and unstructured interviews for the former; literatures, books, internet, magazines, brochures, etc… are used for the later one.

King Nejash

Since Ethiopians evacuated from Yemen, the relationship with the Arabian Peninsula was interrupted. According to several Arabian authentic history and resourceful record, between the years 575-630 G.C, there were two attention-seeking kings in Ethiopia. The first king was ruling the state of Abissinya or the Habesha peole before the Holy Koran came in to existence as a guiding document of human beings. The second one lived during the era of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The former one was known by the name Abhar while the latter’s name is Ashama Ibn Abhar. Ashama had a friendly relationship with the Arab world.

After a successful coup detats on the throne of king Abhar, he was assassinated. Architects of the coup brought his brother to the throne (who was the uncle to Ashama). Due to the fear of revenge from Ashama for his father’s death, they excluded him from rivalry to power.

According to Abubakar Bin Abdurahuman, Prophet Mohammed’s beloved wife Aisha (RA) said, “Except Nejash (Ashama), Abhar had no child at all. But his uncle who became a king had twelve sons and daughters. They were all members of the Habesha Royal family. The coups d’état and assassination was also based on this calculation of lack of children except one Nejash”. The young Nejashi was obliged to live with his uncle. During his childhood, he was smart and able to attract the attention of his uncle. This success and attention seeking created insecurity within the coup makers. They demanded his uncle to avoid him or warned that they will kill Nejash. The king (his uncle) refused the plan of the assassination. And he suggested them to make Nejashi far away from the territory of their state. They took him to the market and sold him as a slave for 6 dihram and send him by boat to abroad. During the same night, the king was dead by a wave while he was praying in order to get a rainfall. All the sons of the king were unfit to the Palace. There were demands to appoint Al-Nejash as a king. Most people agreed on the suitability of his ability to become the king’s successor. “The responsibility of the kingship can only be accomplished by the boy who was sold this morning. If you are concerned for the Habesha people, bring him back.” Suggestions were strong like this.

By hardship they somehow found Prince Nejash and bring him back to the capital city. They gave him the throne. And he stayed as a king of Habesa until he passed away by the 9^th year of the Hijira (Muslim calendar), as Prophet Mohammed migrated from Mecca to Medina. There are several names that are sited in different historical documents. For example Pankhurst and Hancock call him Armah. Tadesse identified him as AL-Asmaha, son of Abdjar and father of Arma. Munnro Hay refers to him as Asmaha Ibn Abjar. And others called him as Ashama, the Kings local name. His Eminency Dr. Alam 43^rd direct decendent of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) acknowledged the information from the Hadis and several references of Islamic scholars quoted as the king Nejash as a great King of Abissynia became a Muslim in the beginning of the 7^th Century from the Prophet Mohammed influence. After the king received Islam, the Prophet Mohammed put his name as Ahmed Al- Negash. His family members also accept Islam. And he was died after 15 years he left his kingdom of Aksum to Wukro which is found 60 kilo meters north of Mekele. He established spiritual kingdom with Negash’s new vision of Islam to preach Islam around the Abyssinian territories and across the African countries of Algeria, morocco, South Africa, Mauritania, Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria, and other African territories. King Nejash died in 630 AD in his spiritual kingdom of Negash town and he was lay down in front of the Negash mosque with Prophet Mohammed’s important suhabis. They were trying to cross to Mecca but due to their old ages they are sick by the undesirable mysterious diseases. So that he couldn’t attend Haji (pilgrimage) and had no chance to meet the Prophet Mohammed directly. But his near and dear children and relatives succeeded to meet the Prophet in Medina, 630kms from the Holy city of Mecca. When the Prophet received the messages of the death of King Ahmed Al-Negash Prophet with his Caliphs and followers celebrate the prayer Gavai of Jenaza in holy Medina mosque. We feel proud the powerful orthodox Christian king become a Muslim caliph for African region. He preached Islam about 15 years in the African territories including Abyssinia. So that today 55% Muslim in Ethiopia. 95% in Cameroon, 65% in Nigeria, 80% in Sudan, 25% in Kenya are believed to be Muslim citizens.

R. Rudol Unf (western scholar who studied the Arabian and Ethiopian History), in his book, 2^nd edition page 249: stated that “Historians agreed that, there was a king during the Era of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in Ethiopia by the Name Asmaha (Armaha II). There are archiological findings of coins minted by his name. The text on the coins reads as ‘king Armaha, the kind and peaceful one.’ Asmaha (Armaha II) is another name of King Nejash. The administration of the king prevailed justice and peace in the territories.

The First March to Ethiopia

In the book written on the biography of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), Ibn Eshaq said the following:

“The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) realized that he could not protect his followers form the attacks, and said ‘go to the Habesha, there is a Christian king there. There is justice in his kingdom. Habesha is the land of truth. Therefore, go there until we achieve victory with the help of Allah’ ”.

Amu Aymen, an Ethiopian woman, had influenced the psychology of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). She was the slave of Abdalah Bin Abdul Mutolib. She was there when Abdalah married the prophet’s mother, Amina. In addition, Amu Aymen was behind Amina when she gave birth to the Prophet. While Amina went to visit her relatives in Medina, Amu Aymen feed her breast to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Amina could not come back to Mecca, rather passed away while she was in the middle of her journey. Since then, Amu Aymen along with Arabian mother Halima, became the second mother of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). She nourished the Prophet while he was living with his grandfather Abdel Mutolib and his uncle Abu Tualib. The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) witnessed this after he became matured by saying “she has been my second mother”.

This historical attachment made the Prophet to love and to have a positive attitude towards Habeshians. Therefore, Islam was introduced to Ethiopia before the majority sections of the quraysh societies in Mecca accepted it. The Prophet sent his relatives and intimate friends to Ethiopia (Habesha) due to the above-mentioned strong attachments that created confidence to him on the king and his people. By the leadership of Osman Bin Afwan, third Kalif of Islam and son in law of Prophet Mohammed along the Prophet’s daughter 120 people among them 26 are women, left Mecca to Abissynia.

Habesha became the first Diaspora for Islam. It was not a simple incident; rather there was prior trade and economic ties between the Habeshans and the Arab world.

The first march (Hijira) in 615 AD had a group of eleven men and four women. The list of the Sahhbas who migrated to Ethiopia in the first march includes the following.

1. Osman Bin Affan

2. Rukya Bint Resul (Mohammed)-The wife of Osman

3. Abu Huzeyfa Bin Outba

4. Shelet Bin seid-wife of Abu Huzeyfa

5. Zubeyr Bin Al-Awam

6. Musab Bin Oumr

7. Abdurahman Bin Awuf

8. Abu Selemah Bin Abdel Ased

9. Amu Selemah- wife of Abu Selmah

10. Ousman Bin Mezun

11. Amir Abin Rebiah-Leader of the group

12. Layla Bint Abi Asmah –Wife of Amir

In the second hijirra to Al-Nejash there were 83 men and 11 women who started their life in Ethiopia.

How Nejash Treated the Immigrants?

The Quraysh Messengers

Fearing the spread and preach of Islam in Ethiopia, the Kureish people send delegates to Ethiopia (Al-Nejash). Two persons were selected.

1. Abdalah Bin Abi Rebiah

2. Amr Ibnel As

They also came up with lots of gift to Al-Nejash and the priests. During this time Abu Tualib was disturbed because his son Jafer was in Ethiopia. Therefore, Abu Tualib (the Prophet’s grandfather) sent a message to Al-Nejash in a form of poem, which demanded the safe living of the Muslims in Ethiopia or return back them.

Abdellah and Amr demanded Nejash not to accept those Muslims who betrayed their society and their traditional belief. And the priests supported them because of the gifts that they brought in. The king (Nejash) sent delegates to the Muslims who were living in Ethiopia and Jafer (the spoken person of the Muslims) answered the questions by going in presence to the king.

“We were ignorant, we believed in the gods, we ate dead animals those which are not halal), we performed adultery, we commonly had conflict with our relatives, abuse women, we didn’t like our neighbors. But Allah (SW) sent us the messenger and made us one under the umbrella of Islam and the Glorious Holy Quran” said Jafar. The king asked Jafer if he has any document, which is given from Almighty God to Mohammed (PBUH).

He said, “YES” and read them “Suretul Meryem”, the chapter of description of Jesus Christ and his Holy virgin mother. King Nejash cried and the Priests also cried and Nejash said, “This has similar source with the message that was brought by Jesus Christ. My religion and your religion Islam are almost same. I am very glad to say that to my council of Ministers, the prophet Mohammed followers and relatives may stay in Abyssinia in peace as long as they want. God Bless them”. The Holywood film, “the Message, the Story of Islam” in a CD.

Then, Nejash refused the demands of Amr and Abdelah Bin Rabiah and expel them immediately from Abyssinia. According to sources the king said to them “If you have given a mountain of gold, I would not give up these people who have taken asylum with me”. Then, King Nejash cut of the relation with Abu Sufian who was the Kuraysh leader and king of Saudi Arabia. Considering the actions of that king at that point in time, we can say that, King Nejash is the one who introduced political asylum, care for refugee, human rights protection and care for the human nature irrespective of any prejudice or bias.

Their Relation after Islam achieved Victory

The relationship between Nejash and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) created a very tight friendly and peaceful relationship between the Muslims and Christians in Ethiopia.

According to several sources the Holy Quran also acknowledged the actions of Nejash. And the prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said that: “In the Holy Kuraan, we found the positive contributions of Christians. It is concerned with king Nejash and his colleagues”.

In the first Hijira, I mentioned the issue of messengers who were sent from The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to King Nejash. In this section in will focus on the list of members of the Sahbas and Sahabyat. Their number amounts 94 Sahbas and 26 female Sehabyat. They are all listed as follows.

The list of Sahabas who came to Ethiopia:

1. Arbed Ibn Humeyr

2. Aswed Bin Newfel

3. Beshir Bin Al-Haris

4. Temin Bin Al-Haris

5. Jafer Bin Abu-Tualib

He was the spokesperson of the delegates and he was very articulate in his speeches.

He lost his hands during the war

He was shot more than 70 times while he was dead

6. Jehim Bin Keys Bin Abd

7. Al –Haris Bin Al-Haris

8. Al-Haris Bin Halid Bin Sohir

9. Haris Bin Abd Bin keys

10. Hatib Bin Al-Hirs

11. Hatib Bin Amr Bin Abdshems

12. Hajaj Bin Hars Bin Keys

13. Hetuab Bin Al-Hars Bin Muimer

14. Halid Bin Hazam Bin Huweylid

15. Halid Bin Seid Ibnul As

• He accepted Islam following Abubeker Sediq

16. Huneys Bin Huzafa Bin Keys

17. Zubeyr Bin Al-Awam

18. Saib Bin Al-Hars Bin Keys

19. Saib Bin Mezur Bin Habib

20. Seid Bin Hewla Bin Amir

21. Seid Bin Abdeyn Keys Bin Lukeyt

22. Seid Bin Al-Hars Bin Keys Bin Seid

23. Seid Bin Amir At-Temimiy

24. Sufiyan Bin Amir Bin Rezik

25. Sekran Bin Amr Bin Abdshems

26. Selemet Bin Hisham Bin Mugirah

27. Selit Bin Amr Bin Abdshems

28. Sehl Bin Wehib Bin Rebiah Bin Amr

29. Sehil Bin Wehb Ibn Rebiah Bin Amr

30. Suweybit Bin Seid Bin Hermelah Bin Malik

31. Shejai Bin Abi Wehib Bin Wehib Bin Rebia

32. Shemenas Bin Ousman Bin Sherid Bin Haremiyi

33. Tolib Bin Azhar Bin Abd

34. Tuablib Bin Oumeyr Bin Wehil Bin Abd

35. Amir Bin Rebiah Bin Kaib Bin Malik

36. Amir Bin Abdeluah Bin Al-Jerrah Bin Hilal

• He is one of those who were confirmed to be in the Heaven

37. Amir Bin Malik Bin Uhaib Bin Abdmenaf

38. Ubeydulah Bin Jehish Bin Rebab Bin Yeimer

39. Abdelah Bin Hirs Bin Keys Bin Adey

40. Abdelah Bin Huzafah Bin Keys Bin Adey

41. Abdelah Bin Sufian Bin Abdel Ased Bin Helal

42. Abdelah Bin Sahil Bin Amr

43. Abdelah Bin Abdel Ased Bin Hilal

44. Abdelah Bin Mehremah Bin Abdeluziza

45. Abdelah Bin Mesud Bin Gafil Bin Hubeyb

46. Abdelah Bin Meziun Bin Habib Bin Wehib

47. Abdelah Bin Mugera Bin Muaykeb

48. Abdurahman Bin Awf Bin Abdawf

He has been remembered in his Islamic charity

49. Abd Bin Jehsh Bin Rebab Bin Yeimer

50. Utbet Bin Gezwan Bin Jebir Bin Wehif

51. Utbet Bin Mesud Bin Gafil Bin Habib

52. Usman Bin Rabiah Bin Ahban Bin Wehib

53. Usman Bin Abd Bin Genem Bin Zehir

54. Usman Bin Sherid Bin Suweyd

55. Usman Bin Affan Bin Abel As Bin Ummeyah

56. Usman Bin Mezun Bin Habib Bin Wehib

57. Adiy Bin Nedlah Bin Abdeluzza Bin Harsan Bin Awf

58. Urwet Bin Asaseh (Ibn Abi Asaseh) Bin Abdeluzza

59. Ammar Bin Yasir Bin Amir Bin Malik Bin Kinanar

60. Omer Bin Sufian Bin Abdelased Bin Hilal Bin Abdelah

61. Omer Bin Umeya Bin Hirs Bin Ased Bin Abdeluzza

62. Amr Bin Umeya Bin Huweylid Bin Abdelah

63. Amr Bin Al-Jehim

64. Omer Bin Abi Serh Bin Rabiah Bin Hilal Bin Malik

65. Amr Bin Seid Bin Al-As Bin Umeya Bin Abdshems

66. Amr Bin Al-As Bin Wail Bin Hashim Bin Seid

67. Amr Bin Usman Bin Keib Bin Seid Bin Teym

68. Omer Bin Rebab Bin Huzeyfah

69. Ayyash Bin Amr

70. Ayyad Bin Zehir Bin Abi Shedad Bin Rebiah Bin Hilal

71. Firas Bin Nedir Bin Hirs Bin Ilkima Bin Kuldah

72. Kudamah Bin Mezun Bin Habib Bin Wehib Bin Huzafah

73. Keys Bin Huzafah Bin Keys Bin Ady Bin Seid Bin Sehim

74. Keys Bin Abdelah

75. Malik Bin Zemah Bin Keys Bin Abdshemis Bin Abdowd

76. Malik Bin Wehib Bin Abdemenaf Bin Zahra Bin Kilab

77. Muhamya Bin Juzi Bin Abdyegus Bin Uweyj Bin Omer

78. Musab Bin Omer Bin Hashim Bin Abdmenaf Bin Abdedar

79. Mutolib Bin Azhar Bin Abdawf Bin Abdel Hirs Bin Zahra

80. Muateb Bin Awf Bin Amir Bin Al-Fedl Bin Afif

81. Meimer Bin Al-Hirs Bin Keys Bin Ady Bin Seid Bin Sehim

82. Meimer Bin Abdelah Bin Nedlah Bin Abdel Uzaz Bin Harsan

83. Muaykib Ibn Abi Fatimet

84. Mikdad Bin Amr Bin Seileba Bin Malik Bin Sherid Bin Rebiah

85. Nebih Bin Osman Bin Rebiah Bin Wehib Bin Huzafah

86. Hebar Bin Sufian Bin Abdel Ased Bin Hilal Bin Abdelah

87. Hisham Bin Abi Huzeyfa Bin Mehishem Bin MUgira

88. Hesham Bin Alas Bin Wail Bin Hisham

89. Yezid Bin Zemia Bin Al-Aswed Bin Mutolib Bin Ased

90. Abu Huzeyfa Bin Utba Bin Rebia Bin Abd Shems Bin Abdmenaf

91. Abu Rum Bin Umeyr Bin Hashim Bin Abdmenaf Bin Abddodar

92. Abu Sebret Bin Bbi Rehm Bin Abdel Uzza Bin Abi Keys Bin Abd

93. Abu Fekiha Mewla Beni Abdedar

94. Abu Keys Ibnel Hirs Bin Keys Bin Adiy Bin Seid Bin Sehim

The Women Sohabyat Who came to Ethiopia

1. Asmai Bint Selema (Bint Mehrem Bin Jendel Bin Abir Bin Nehshel)

2. Asmai Bint Umeys Bin Meibed Ibnel Hirs Bin Keib Bin Teym Bin Malik

3. Umeyma Bint Helef Bin Asad Bin Amir Bin Beyaduah Bin Sebi

4. Bereket Bint Yesar

5. Hasna Amu Shurehbil

6. Hamnet Bint Jehsh Bin Rebab

7. Hewlet Bint Aswed Bin Huzeyman

8. Raituah Bint Alhirs Bin Habilah Bin Amir Bin Keib Bin Seid

9. Rukyah Bint Muhammed, Daughter of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

10. Remlah Bint Abu Sufian Bin Sohir Bin Harb Bin Umeya Bin Abdshems

11. Remlah Bint Abi Awf Bin Subeyret Bin Seid

12. Zeyneb Bint Jehsh Bin Reyyab

13. Sehlet Bint Sehil Bin Amr

14. Sewda Bint Zem’a Bin Keys Bin Abdshems Bint Abdwd Bin Nesr

15. Omra Bint Sedy Bin Wekdan Bin Abdshems Bin Abdwd

16. Fatimet Bint Al-MujelilBin Abdelah Bin Keys Bin Abdwd

17. Fatimet BinT Sofwan Bin Umeya Bin Muhris Bin Sheq

18. Fekiha Bint Yesar

19. Qehtom Bint Alkemah Bin Abdelah Bin Abikeys

20. Leyla Bint Abi Hasma Bin Huzeyfa Bin Ganim Bin Amir

21. Hamiyet Bint Khalid (Khelef)

22. Hend Bint Abi Umeyah

23. Amu Habiba Bint Jehsh Bin Rebab Al-Asedya

24. Amu Kulsum Bint Sehil Ibn Amr

25. Amu Yekezot Bint Alkima Amu Selit Bin Selit

26. Amu Aymen Bereket Alhabeshiya

The Letter Exchanges between King Nejash and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

The relation between King Nejash and the Prophet Mohammed has dated back to the early years of the expansion of Islam. Through time there was exchange of messages between the two. Their relation became stronger due to the influence of Amu Aymen and Bilal Al-Habesh on the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). One of the letters of the Prophet of Islam reads as follows.

“In the name of Allah the most merciful the most beneficent, from Mohammed the Prophet of Allah to Alnegashi the king of Al-Habesha (Abyssinia), greetings I thank Allah the Almighty the all dominating and I witness and testify that Issa (Jesus) is the Spirit of Allah and his word which He gave to Merriam (Mary) the virtuous, and created him from his spirit. And I am inviting you very honestly to accept Islam and become a good Muslim. And rule in peace and prosperity to the Habesh-Abyssinia with peace and believe in Allah the Almighty only without any partner to obey him and follow me and what was revealed to me for I become the messenger and Prophet of Allah. I have sent my cousin designated as a special envoy Jaffer and my beloved Muslims. When they come to you, receive them well and stay away from arrogance and call you and your solders to believe in Allah. And I have given my message and may Allah’s blessings fall on those who follow the snail path”.

It is necessary to ask why the Prophet had chosen Abyssinia. There can be two main explanations. The first reason is the influence of Amu Aymen, a slave Habesha (Abyssinian) woman who shaped and nourished the Prophet during his childhood. According to several sources Amu Aymen is the most important figure to the Prophet of Islam. The second reason is what we can call the “Bilal effect”, who was another slave from the same origin and a slave bought by the Arabian king Umeyah and crown prince Abu Sufian and Princes Hindia, the cruel and unmerciful women at that time. They tried to destroy the kingdom of Islam, Prophet Mohammed and his beloved followers. The Great Bilal is the first person to make the prayer call (Azan) for Muslims. He upgraded himself from being an ordinary slave to become commander in chief for the Muslim world. He was very strong, obedient, brave, and innocent person. He made history and dedicated all of his life to the Prophet of Islam. His works are waking up calls for all the Habeshan people. According to His Eminency Dr. Alam direct descendant of the Prophet of Islam, in the visit of the grave of King Nejash on the 11^th of January 2009, “the Great Bilal is now rest in Damasks, the capital of Syria”.

Therefore, these two personalities played their own role to influence the Prophet’s perception towards the Habesha (Abyssinian) land. The Prophet Mohammed directed his followers to left Mecca immediately towards to Abyssinia. The Prophet cousin, the Great Hamza supported this journey which was led by Jafer Bin Abutualib along with Hazrat Osman Bin Afuan and Prophet Daughter Rukya and other 121 most influential Muslims left from Mecca to Abyssinia, to King Nejash, who was the Great Christian King who has a knowledge, spirituality, capacity and qualified in all testimony of bible which originated by Almighty from Allah to Jesus Christ. There is a prescription and declaration about Prophet Mohammed’s arrival with the glorious Koran. The holy Koran also indicates the human being is a crown creation of God. The Jewish, Christian and Muslim are cousin brothers who are the descendents of Abraham. According to these main religions, Jesus Christ will emerge and co creates heaven on earth with Imam Mehedy (PBUH). King Nejash understood that and in a humble way received the followers of Islam. And with dignity and status and assured them to stay in Abyssinia with peace as long as they want, and he converted to be a Muslim. According to Islamic literatures King Nejash is remembered among the first non-Arab African Muslim next to Bilal and Amu Aymen.

His Eminency advised his spiritual son Dr. Selahadin and Dr. Meskerem Melaku (Meryem) to send official proposal to the UN Secretary General from the World Human Rights Council to record King Nejash’s contribution to world as the first political asylum offer. This was the first political asylum in world history. Unfortunately, the UN does not recognize this history. His Eminency argues that, Nowadays 55% of the Ethiopia people is Muslims. In accordance of His eminency Dr. Alam’s statement the Muslims of Ethiopia are neglected politically, officially and mentally by the Christian rulers for the last 1400 years.

There were several letter exchanges between King Nejash and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The letter that was sent to the Prophet from King Nejash stated the following.

“In the name of Allah the most merciful and the most beneficent, to Allah’s Prophet Mohammed (SAW), from Alnegash (Abyssinia) Armaha the son of Abhar the king of Al-Habasha (Abyssinia). A greeting, the Messenger of Allah, there is no true God but Allah who guided me to accept Islam.I have received your letter and what you said about Issa. In the name of the God of the skies and the earth that Issa is exactly what you said he is in your letter. And we have received your cousin Jaffer, chief of the delegation and his companions, I witness that you are Allah’s Prophet and messenger. In the name of Allah, the Almighty I have sent you my son Arha son of Al Asmha the son of Abhar. If you wish I will come to you myself and I give my word that what I said is the truth”.

What we can see from this letter is that King Nejash has an interest to go and visit the Arabia as a Muslim ruler of Abyssinia. The final seat of King Nejash is found in “Negash” town of northern Ethiopia, which is named after the name of the great king. This town is found in the Plateau of the Wukro area which is located 60 kilo meters north of Mekele town, the capital of the Tigray Regional State. His Eminency visited the area with so much hardship by crossing the road from Addis to Negash. He Prayed Selatel Zuhur and Asir in the 12 & 13 of January 2009.

Several historic record and findings suggest that, King Nejash came to the south from his Palace which was situated between “Atsbi” (East of Negash) and Hawzien (west of Negash). Negash town is found in exactly equidistant from Atsbi and Hawzien. There are also arguments that King Nejash’s seat was in Aksum, one of the Ancient civilized areas of the world, before he came to the Negash area. This shows the seat of King Nejash was located in the Northen part of Ethiopia. The marching to the south was to cross to the holy city of Mecca. In his last years King Nejash stopped his political leadership and started to serve the Almighty Allah. And he had a plan of fulfilling one of the pillars of Islam by visiting the Holly City of Mecca for pilgrimage. However, King Nejash found the area of Negash comfortable to live with a suitable weather condition. Local residents and religious leaders witness that King Nejash stayed in that area for 15 years. It is in this location that King Nejash’s soul rest in peace. Even if king Negash could not make the journey to the holy city of Mecca, one of his sons was able to reach and reside there. Another son was dead while he was trying cross the Red Sea.

The settlement of King Nejash in the Negash area was accompanied by the sahbas who came from the Arabia. The grave of those Sahbas is found in there. Total of 15 descendents of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) were dead in Negash town, 10 men and 5 women. 12 of them rest together with King Nejash’s body. King Nejash was dead by 630 AD. Three of the Sahbas rest in the same compound but outside of the house in which King Nejash’s grave is found. The local residents have only the record of the name of those three:

1. Hazrat Mussa Bin Harris

2. Sharif Abdalla

3. Alley Bin Nadla

His Eminency Dr. Alam 43^rd decedent of the Prophet, as the capacity of the President of the World Spiritual Assembly and chief of the mission of the WHRSC and UNECA Civil Society Representative tried to find out the history of King Nejash. In the month of Muhrem 11^th January 2009, after 4 years of search, finally find out the King Nejash’s mosque and grave accompanied by his spiritual son Dr. Selahadin and his secretary Dr. Meskerem Melaku (Meryem), Orthodox Christian, the gift of King Nejash.

References

-Ofcansky, Thomas P.; LaVerle Berry (1991). Ethiopia and the Early Islamic Period

-Islam in Ethiopia. Mohammed Toib Ibn Yusuus Al-Yusuf Translated to Amharic by

-Edris Mohammed. Nejash Publishing, Addis Ababa

-The list is derived from the Arabic book by Mohammed Toib Ibn Yusuus Al-Yusuf, and Edris Mohammed’s “Ethiopia and Islam” Books.

-Authentic History of the World, By His Eminency Dr. Hazrat Shah Sufi Mohammed Nurul alam, President of the World spiritual Assembly; Chief of Mission to the UNECA, and UN Hear Quarter New York, USA.

-Tigray: The Open Air Museum. Tigray Tourism Commission, Mekele, Ethiopia.

-Negash, “The Second Mecca” Brochure by the Tigray Tourism Commission.

-Interview with His Eminency Dr. Hazrat Shah Sufi Mohammed Nurul Alam in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 2009.

-Interview with the Administrator of King Nejash, Shek Ahmed Adem Dani and Shek Mohammed Zeynu Ismail, on January 2009.

Annex 1

The Gate of King Nejash Mosque

The King Nejash’s Mosque, found North of Mekele town ( 10 kms) North of Wukro town, in the Negash town.

The wholly grave of King Nejash and the Sashbas found inside the compound of the King Nejash’s Mosque.

The Duah in the King Nejash Holy grave Acknowledged by His Eminency Dr. Alam.

Prayer led by His Eminency Dr. Alam in the wholly grave of King Nejash and the Sahibas.

Prayer inside the King Nejash’s Mosque.

His Eminency Dr. Alam in his visit to the King Nejash Mosque

His Eminency Dr. Alam discussing with the Imam of King Negash’s Mosque Shek Mohammed Zeinu Ismael. And teaching him from Hadith the way of the Imams life.

Picture of the visitors of King Negash Accompanied by His Eminency Dr. Alam

Manager of the King Negash shek Ahmed Adem Dani Receiving His Eminency Dr. Alam in the Manager’s house wth the Imam of the Mosque.

The powerful Orthodox Christian King Nejash Listening to the sahbas

The Influencial Bilal Al Habesh

Bilal Making The prayer call, Azan