Outline the content of the speech delivered by Jacfar b. Abi Talib at the Court of Negus of Abyssinia.

Answer Details

When the early Muslims migrated to Abyssinia to escape Quraysh persecution, the Quraysh sent envoys to the Negus (an-Najashi) to demand their return. The Negus summoned the Muslims, and Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib (R.A.) spoke on their behalf. The content of his speech was:

1. Their condition before Islam: he described how they had been a people of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), worshipping idols, eating carrion, committing immoralities, severing family ties, ill-treating neighbours, and the strong devouring the weak.
2. The coming of the Prophet: he explained that Allah raised among them a Messenger whose noble descent, truthfulness, trustworthiness and chastity they knew.
3. The message of Tawhid: the Prophet called them to worship Allah alone, to abandon the idols and stones their forefathers worshipped.
4. The moral teachings of Islam: he commanded truthfulness, fulfilling trusts, keeping ties of kinship, good neighbourliness, and refraining from bloodshed and forbidden things.
5. The pillars of worship: he told them Islam ordered prayer (Salat), charity (Zakat) and fasting (Sawm).
6. Their acceptance and persecution: he said they believed in the Prophet and followed him, whereupon their people oppressed and persecuted them to turn them back to idolatry, so they fled to Abyssinia seeking the Negus's protection and justice.
7. Recitation of the Qur’an: when asked, Ja‘far recited the opening of Suratu Maryam, describing Jesus and his mother Mary, which moved the Negus and his bishops to tears.

The Negus was convinced of the truth of their religion and refused to hand them over, granting them protection. The speech is a model summary of the message and morals of Islam.