The second migration and Ja’far before the Negus

A larger group of 83 men and 18 or 19 women leaves for Abyssinia. Quraish send two envoys, ‘Amr bin al-‘As and ‘Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’ah, to have them handed back, but Ja’far bin Abi Talib explains Islam and recites from Surah Maryam, and the Negus, moved to tears, refuses to surrender them.

As the book dates it: after Shawwal, 5th year of Prophethood

Who was there

• JTJa’far bin Abi Talib‘Ali’s brother, who spoke for the Muslims before the Negus in Abyssinia and fell as a commander at Mu’tah.
• NThe Negus (an-Najashi)The just Christian king of Abyssinia who sheltered the Muslim emigrants.
• A‘Amr bin al-‘AsSent by Quraish to bring the emigrants back from Abyssinia; later accepted Islam with Khalid.