Early Muslims in Makkah faced severe persecution from the leaders of Quraysh because of their belief in One God. To protect the young community, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised a group of companions to seek refuge in a foreign land. This event is known as the migration to Abyssinia (Hijrah to Habasha). Its most famous figure is Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin, whose speech before the Christian king of Abyssinia became one of the most celebrated moments in the seerah.
The Quraysh leaders feared that the Muslims would find peace across the sea, so they sent envoys with expensive gifts to have them sent back. Ja’far was chosen to speak for the Muslims, and his wisdom turned a dangerous moment into a victory for the truth.
Studying this migration helps believers understand the sacrifices made by the early companions. For a broader picture of those hardships, read about the patience and faith of Bilal ibn Rabah, who endured torture for his faith.
The Growing Persecution in Makkah
Life in Makkah became increasingly dangerous for those who accepted the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Poorer converts and slaves were tortured, and even Muslims from noble families faced boycotts and constant harassment. Muslims had no safe place to worship Allah openly.
The Prophet ﷺ himself was protected by his uncle Abu Talib and the clan of Banu Hashim, but he could not shield every follower from harm. Out of compassion for them, he pointed them toward Abyssinia, known today as Ethiopia, ruled by a Christian king known as the Negus (An-Najashi). According to the early seerah sources, the Prophet ﷺ told them that a king ruled there under whom no one was wronged, and that they should stay there until Allah brought relief.
To understand the other hardships of the Makkan period, you can read about the journey of the Prophet to Taif. Leaving homes, wealth and family required immense trust in Allah, yet obedience to the Prophet ﷺ remained the companions’ highest priority.
Two Waves of Migration
The first group, a small number of men and women including Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah, the Prophet’s daughter, left in the fifth year of prophethood. They reached the Red Sea coast and crossed on merchant ships. In Abyssinia they could finally pray and recite the Quran openly.
When persecution in Makkah grew worse, a second and larger group migrated, bringing the number of men to more than eighty, along with women and children. Ja’far ibn Abi Talib and his wife Asma bint Umays were among them, and Ja’far became the leading voice of the community.
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance.”
Reference:
Quran 4:100
This promise sustained the migrants through years of exile. They trusted that Allah would provide for them wherever their faith took them.
The Quraysh Delegation and Their Demands
The leaders of Makkah were furious that the Muslims had escaped. They sent two envoys, Amr ibn al-As and Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi’ah, loaded with gifts of fine leather for the king and his generals. Their plan was to win over the courtiers first, so that they would support the request to hand the Muslims back without letting them speak.
The envoys told the king that these people had abandoned the religion of their fathers without entering his religion, and that their own leaders wanted them returned. The courtiers, having received gifts, urged the king to agree.
The Negus, however, refused to hand over people who had sought his protection without first hearing them. He summoned the Muslims to his court, and they chose Ja’far ibn Abi Talib to speak for them, agreeing to say only what the Prophet ﷺ had taught them, whatever the consequence.
To see how justice became a cornerstone of early Muslim leadership, you can read about the justice and strength of Umar ibn Al-Khattab.
Ja’far ibn Abi Talib’s Speech Before the King
The long narration of Umm Salamah, who was among the migrants, preserves this scene. Ja’far told the king that his people had lived in ignorance: they worshipped idols, ate carrion, committed indecencies, cut family ties, mistreated neighbours, and the strong among them devoured the weak.
Then, he said, Allah sent them a messenger from among themselves whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness and chastity they knew. He called them to worship Allah alone and leave the idols. He commanded them to speak the truth, fulfil trusts, keep family ties, be good to neighbours, and stop bloodshed. He forbade indecency, false speech, consuming the wealth of orphans, and slandering chaste women. He ordered them to pray, give charity and fast. Because they believed and followed him, their people persecuted them, so they came to his land, choosing him over others and hoping not to be wronged in his presence.
The king asked whether he had anything of what had been revealed. Ja’far recited the opening of Surah Maryam. The Negus wept until his beard was wet, and his bishops wept until their scrolls were wet. He declared that this and what Musa عليه السلام had brought came from the same source, and he told the envoys he would never hand the Muslims over.
Reference:
Musnad Ahmad 1740 (narration of Umm Salamah)
The next day Amr tried again, telling the king that the Muslims said something terrible about Isa son of Maryam. Ja’far answered that they say what their Prophet ﷺ taught: that Isa is the servant of Allah, His messenger, His spirit and His word cast to the virgin Maryam. The Negus picked up a small stick and said that Isa was no more than that, by the width of this stick. The gifts were returned to the envoys, and they left the court defeated.
The Negus and His Honoured End
The Negus protected the Muslims for years and later accepted Islam. When he died, the Prophet ﷺ announced his death to the companions in Madinah on the very day he died, led them out to the prayer ground, and offered the funeral prayer in absentia for him with four takbirs.
Reference:
Sahih al-Bukhari 1245
His fairness teaches that justice earns respect across all boundaries, and that Muslims should recognise and honour goodness wherever they find it.
The Return of the Migrants and Ja’far’s Legacy
Some migrants returned to Makkah and later migrated to Madinah. Ja’far and the remaining group stayed in Abyssinia for many years and arrived in Madinah in the seventh year of the Hijrah, around the conquest of Khaybar. It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ said he did not know which made him happier, the conquest of Khaybar or the arrival of Ja’far.
The Prophet ﷺ loved Ja’far deeply and told him that he resembled him in appearance and character.
Reference:
Sahih al-Bukhari 2699
A year later, Ja’far was martyred at the Battle of Mu’tah, holding the banner after losing both his hands. He became known as Ja’far at-Tayyar, “the one who flies”, and Abdullah ibn Umar would greet his son with “Peace be upon you, O son of the one with two wings.”
Reference:
Sahih al-Bukhari 3709
Lessons From the Migration to Abyssinia
- Protecting faith comes first: the companions left home and wealth to keep their religion.
- Wisdom in speech: Ja’far presented Islam clearly and truthfully, choosing words that reached the heart of his listener.
- Honesty over convenience: the Muslims refused to change what they believed about Isa عليه السلام, even when their safety depended on the answer.
- Recognising justice: the Prophet ﷺ trusted and honoured a just non-Muslim ruler, and later prayed for him.
- Relief after hardship: years of exile ended with reunion and the strength of the Muslim community in Madinah.
Conclusion
The migration to Abyssinia is a defining chapter in early Islamic history. Faced with persecution, the believers chose exile over compromising their faith. Through Ja’far ibn Abi Talib’s honest and wise words, the community was protected and the message of Islam reached a new land. May Allah be pleased with Ja’far and all the companions who migrated for His sake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Muslims migrate to Abyssinia?
They migrated to escape persecution by the leaders of Quraysh in Makkah. The Prophet ﷺ directed them there because its Christian king was known for justice.
What role did Ja’far ibn Abi Talib play in Abyssinia?
He was the spokesman of the Muslims. His speech before the Negus and his recitation of Surah Maryam convinced the king to refuse the Quraysh demand to return them.
Did the Negus become Muslim?
Yes. He accepted Islam, and when he died, the Prophet ﷺ offered the funeral prayer for him in Madinah, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1245.
Why is Ja’far called “the one with two wings”?
He lost both hands holding the banner at the Battle of Mu’tah, and he is honoured as Ja’far at-Tayyar. Ibn Umar greeted his son as “son of the one with two wings” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3709).
