Muslim Migration to Abyssinia - Difficulties and Significance

Migration to Abyssinia is a significant event in Islamic History. Through this migration (Hijrah), several Muslims saved themselves from the persecution of the Quraysh tribe of Makkah. The helpful experience of this migration paved the way for a far more fruitful Muslim Migration to Madinah, which later proved to be the basis of the formation of the Islamic Caliphate.

Situation Before Hijrah

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started preaching Islam secretly in 610 AD. After three years, he publically started teaching Islam and declared his prophethood. Quraysh became furious at his teachings as it was against the way of their forefathers. They started mistreating those few people who accepted Islam, and life became difficult for Muslims in Makkah. 

First Hijrah to Abyssinia

At that time, Muslims heard about a kind-hearted king of Abyssinia (now in Ethiopia and Eritrea), Najashi. On seeing the difficulties of people and the cruelty of Quraysh, Muhammad (PBUH) allowed a few Muslims to migrate towards Abyssinia. In 613 AD, 15 Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, comprising eleven men and four women. 

Prominent Muslims, including Usman bin Affan, (his wife and daughter of the Prophet) Ruqayyah (RA), Saad bin Abi Waqqas (RA), and others were part of this migration. It was the first phase of Migration to Abyssinia and is known as the First Migration to Abyssinia (First Hijrah). 

Return & Second Phase

After a few days of migration, a rumor reached Abyssinia that the people of Makkah had embraced Islam. Most migrants returned to Makkah and found that it was false news and that the hardships of Quraysh had reached even higher levels. The positive experience of the first migration prompted even more people to migrate toward a peaceful land away from the tyranny of Makkans. 

It marks the second migration to Abyssinia in 615 AD. This time the number of immigrants was far higher than the first one. The new migrants to Abyssinia include 101 Muslims: 83 men and 18 women. Ja’far bin Abi Talib (RA) was the head of this group of immigrants. 

Efforts of Quraysh and their Failure

Quresh became unhappy with the peaceful life of several Muslims. They wanted to take them back as they might not create problems for them later. For this purpose, they sent a delegation to the court of the King of Axum to persuade him to return the emigrant Muslim. 

First, they argued that the immigrants were disbelievers of the old faith of Makkah and wanted to destabilize the area with their new alien faith. But the head of Muslims, Ja’far (RA), told the king that there was tyranny, immorality, and injustice among the Arabs. At that time, the noblest among them (Muhammad (PBUH)) received prophethood and taught them the oneness of Allah, morality, justice, and other good deeds. However, the majority wants few believers of the true faith to return to their satanic beliefs. This speech was very touchy, and Najashi refused to return them to the delegation of Quraysh.

After the initial failure, now the Quraysh used another trick. They told the king (a Christian) that the Muslims do not believe in the Trinity. At that critical moment, Jaf’ar (RA) recited the verses of the Holy Qur’an about the Virgin Mary and the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ (PBUH). The king now realized that Muslims respect the personalities of Jesus (PBUH) and his virgin mother, Mary. He became aware that Quraysh are trying to create differences between them for their purpose with these kinds of accusations. He rejected the demand of their delegation and let the Muslims live there in peace. The emigrants remained there till the Muslim Migration to Madinah (622 AD) and later went directly to Madinah.

Importance in Islamic History

The migration to Abyssinia saved several Muslims from the tyranny of Quraysh and provided an experience for the more productive Migration to Madinah. Its promising effects proved to be the first success of Muslims against Quraysh.