MIGRATION TO HABASH (ETHOPIA) - THE FIRST MIGRATION
(MUNAJAT - KING'S PALACE SCENERY)
Narrator: The Quraish, prominent and leaders of all the Meccans, feel threatened by the Prophet's message. They fear the loss of their prestige, power and business and they therefore lead, organise and orchestrate the opposition movement. They started persecuting the followers of Muhammad and torturing many of them.
In the 5th year of prophethood, when this persecution reached its peak, the Holy Prophet advised his followers to migrate to Habash known as Abyssinia at the time, to gain protection. Abyssinia is now called Ethiopia. At that time, the king of Abyssinia was a Christian king called Negasus (Najjashi in Arabic).
Thus a party of men under the patronage of Jafar, the prophet's cousin migrated from Mecca to Abyssinia.
In this following scene, you will witness a conversation between the Christian king of Abbasynia and the followers of Muhammad.
Jafar: Peace be on you o king of Abyssinia.
King: What has brought you here o noble man?
Jafar: We are suffering persecution in Mecca, Muhammad, told us 'Go to Abyssinia the land of a righteous king where no man is wronged.'
King: Who is Muhammad and why did he send you to me?
Jafar: Muhammad has sent because you believe in the book of a one God as we do. He sent us because in your heart God will protect us. He has said ayah from Quran 5:82
I speak of the messenger of God. Muhammad teaches us to worship one God, to speak truth, to love our neighbours as ourselves, to give charity; even a smile can be charity, to protect women from misuse, to shelter orphans, and to turn away from gods of wood and stone.
For years, we worshipped wood and stone, images of our own manufacture. We lived in ignorance of God. We had few earthly laws and no heavenly laws. The rich neglect the poor and the natural piety of man whereby he lifts his brother up when he's fallen is described by them as upsetting social order. (Emotionally) To this, in humanity, has come a man, whom God chose, and in that we believe.
King: Muhammad's god is beautifully eloquent.
Jafar: God has spoken to us before through Abraham, Noah, Moses and through Jesus Christ. Why should we be so surprised if God speaks to us now through Muhammad?
King: (surprised) Who taught you those names?
Jafar: They are named in the Qur'an.
King: What Christ says and what your Muhammad says is like two rays from the same lamp.
King: What does Muhammad say of Christ?
Jafar: Muhammad said: "God cast his holy spirit into the womb of a virgin named Mary and that she conceived Christ, the apostle of God!"
King: What does your miracle, your Qur'an say of the breath by the lord Jesus Christ?
Jafar: May I relate the words?
King: Your polite manner and depth of knowledge has intrigued me. Please continue Mohammed's words have captivated me you have my full attention. You may indeed relate the words.
Jafar: In the name of God, most gracious most merciful. Relating the book, the story of Mary: How she withdrew from her family to a place in the East, how God sent angel Gabriel to her, who said "I am a messenger from your God to announce the birth of a holy son to you". She said "How shall I, Mary, have a son when no man has touched me?" And Gabriel replied: "For your lord says, it will happen. We appoint him as a sign onto man and a mercy from us. It is a thing ordained."
King: In our scriptures, it is ordained that a prophet will be coming, but we did not think that he would be born in Arabia. The difference between us and you is no thinker (thicker) than this line. You may live in Abyssinia in peace for as long as you wish. May God's blessings be upon you on your return!
(MUNAJAT)