Long ago in the land of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), there was a young boy named As-hama, who would later become known as Al-Najashi the King of Abyssinia! Al-Najashi is a title given to Kings of Abyssinia. His story is not just about royalty; it’s about standing for justice, seeking the truth, and helping those in need. He grew up to be not just a king but one of Prophet Muhammad’s Sahaba! Al-Najashi was one of three black men who shaped the course of early Islam. The other two were Bilal ibn Rabah and Wahshi ibn Harb

A Young Prince in Danger

As-hama’s father was the king, but the kingdom was not a safe place for him. When As-hama was a child, powerful nobles feared he might one day claim the throne. They killed his father and crowned his uncle, who raised As-hama as his own. As-hama grew up to be intelligent, kind, and wise—so much so that his uncle loved him more than his own sons.

But fear returned. The nobles worried that As-hama would still inherit the throne. They pressured his uncle to send him away, and reluctantly, the king agreed. Not a day passed after As-hama’s exile before fate struck: his uncle died suddenly, and the kingdom fell into chaos. Without a strong ruler, Abyssinia faced attacks from its enemies. Desperate, the nobles realized their mistake and brought As-hama back to rule.

And so, As-hama became Al-Najashi the king of Abyssinia. He ruled with fairness and courage, bringing peace and justice to his people.

A Kingdom of Refuge

Far away in Makkah, a new faith was being born. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had begun spreading the message of Islam, calling people to worship one God and live with honesty, compassion, and justice. But the early Muslims faced terrible persecution from their own tribe, Quraysh. They were beaten, tortured, and forced to abandon their homes.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told his followers about a just king in a distant land. He said:

“In Abyssinia, there is a king under whom no one is wronged. Go to his land, and stay there until Allah provides you relief.”

The Muslims set out on a long and dangerous journey across deserts and seas until they reached Abyssinia. Among them were noble companions like Uthman ibn Affan and Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with them).

At first, they lived peacefully under Al-Najashi’s protection. But soon, trouble followed them.

Quraysh were furious that the Muslims had found safety. They sent two of their cleverest men, Amr ibn Al-As and Abdullah ibn Abi Rabiah (both accepted Islam later on), to convince Al-Najashi to send the Muslims back. They brought expensive gifts and tried to turn the king against the refugees.

“These people have abandoned their old religion and brought something strange,” they told Al-Najashi.
The king, however, was wise. He refused to act unfairly. “I will not hand them over without hearing their side,” he declared.

The Muslims were summoned to the palace. Standing tall among them was Ja’far ibn Abi Talib. When asked about their faith, Ja’far spoke with calm and confidence:

“O King, we were a people lost in ignorance. We worshiped idols, ate the flesh of dead animals, and mistreated our neighbours. The strong among us oppressed the weak. Then Allah sent us a Messenger we know to be truthful and noble. He taught us to worship one God, speak the truth, and show mercy to others. For this, our people turned against us, and we fled to your land, hoping for your protection.”

Al-Najashi the King was moved. “Do you have any of the words your Prophet teaches?” he asked.

Ja’far recited verses from Surah Maryam, the chapter of the Qur’an that tells the story of Maryam and her miraculous son, Isa (peace be upon him):

“And mention in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east… Then We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man. She said, ‘I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you!'” Surah Maryam

The words were so beautiful and powerful that tears streamed down Al-Najashi’s face. “This and what Jesus brought come from the same light!” he exclaimed. He turned to the Quraysh envoys and declared,

“I will never hand them over. They are safe here in my land.”

Quraysh’s plan had failed and the Muslims remained under Al-Najashi’s protection.

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A Hidden Believer

But Al-Najashi’s story doesn’t end there. Over time, he learned more about Islam and secretly accepted it in his heart. When news of his faith spread, his enemies tried to stir rebellion against him. Yet Al-Najashi stood firm, defending the truth while wisely keeping his belief hidden to protect his kingdom.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) honoured Al-Najashi greatly. When he learned of Al-Najashi’s death, he led the Muslims in a funeral prayer. Al-Najashi was not just a king; he was a believer who helped Islam when others sought to destroy it.

Al-Najashi the King is honoured with a mosque in Negash, in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.

The story is a reminder: Stand up for what is right, even when it’s hard. Listen to others with an open heart. And always be a refuge for those in need.

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