Knowledge › History & Heritage

al-Najashi — The Christian King of Abyssinia Who Sheltered the Muslim Refugees, Accepted Islam in Secret, and for Whom the Prophet Performed the Funeral Prayer in Absentia in Medina

النَّجَاشِيّ — مَلِكُ الحَبَشَةِ المَسِيحِيُّ الَّذِي آوَى اللَّاجِئِينَ المُسلِمِينَ وَأَسلَمَ سِرًّا وَالَّذِي أَدَّى النَّبِيُّ صَلَاةَ الجَنَازَةِ عَلَيهِ غَائِبًا فِي المَدِينَة
2 min read · 295 words

al-Najashi (النَّجَاشِيّ — the Negus, the royal title of the king of Abyssinia [present-day Ethiopia]; the specific king during the time of the early Muslim emigrations [Hijra al-Habasha, c. 615 CE] is identified as Ashama ibn Abjar by name in Arabic sources; ruled a predominantly Christian kingdom known for justice; when Quraysh persecuted the early Muslims in Mecca, the Prophet directed approximately 80+ believers to emigrate to Abyssinia, saying 'There is a king there who wrongs no one'; the Quraysh delegation [led by Amr ibn al-As] arrived to have the refugees extradited, but al-Najashi heard them both and sided with the Muslims after listening to the recitation of Surah Maryam; asked the Muslims about Jesus, and when they recited: 'Jesus is a servant of God, and His word which He cast into Mary, and a spirit from Him' [4:171], al-Najashi reportedly said: 'By God, Jesus the son of Mary does not exceed what you say by as much as this reed' — and placed a reed on the ground; al-Najashi accepted Islam privately; when he died, the Prophet received news of it in Medina and performed Salat al-Janaza Ghayb [the funeral prayer in absentia] for him in Medina — the first documented instance of this practice in Islamic history) is the most significant non-Arab ally of early Islam.

The Abyssinian Refuge

The First Hijra to Abyssinia (c. 615 CE) preceded the Hijra to Medina by seven years. Approximately 80 Muslims, including Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayya (the Prophet’s daughter), emigrated to escape Meccan persecution.

Al-Najashi’s reception of them is one of the most remarkable episodes of early Islamic history: a Christian king, in a Christian kingdom, hearing two delegations — the Muslim refugees and the Quraysh delegation sent to return them — and choosing to protect the Muslims.

The Hearing Before the Najashi

When the Quraysh delegation arrived to extradite the Muslims, al-Najashi conducted a formal hearing. Jafar ibn Abi Talib (the Prophet’s cousin) spoke for the Muslim refugees, delivering what became a famous summary of Islamic teaching:

“We were a people of ignorance, worshipping idols, eating carrion, committing indecencies… until God sent us a Prophet of our own lineage… He commanded us to speak the truth, to fulfill our trusts, to maintain family ties, to be good neighbors, and to refrain from what is forbidden and bloodshed.”

Then Jafar recited Surah Maryam. Al-Najashi wept until his beard was wet. His bishops wept too. He declared: “Go — you are safe in my land. Whoever harms you will pay a penalty.”

The Funeral Prayer in Absentia

When al-Najashi died (c. 9-10 AH), the Prophet informed the Companions in Medina: “Your brother Ashama the Najashi has died.” He then led them in the funeral prayer (salat al-janaza) in absentia — four takbirs, no prostration, prayer for the deceased. This is one of the most documented instances of the practice, and the jurists’ discussion of whether salat al-janaza ghayb is generally permitted or only for special cases begins with this narration.

See also: Seerah Jafar Ibn Abi Talib, Seerah Uqba Ibn Abi Muayt, Seerah Early Mecca, Seerah Conquest Mecca, Seerah Umm Ayman Barakah

← All articles
← Previous
Fiqh al-Luqatah — Found Property in Islamic Law: The Obligation to Announce It, How Long to Hold It, What to Do if the Owner Never Appears, and the Special Rules for Stray Animals
Next →
Saad ibn Muadh — The Chief of the Banu Aws Who Converted at the Prophet's Word, Arbitrated Banu Qurayza's Fate, Died of His Wound, and for Whom the Throne of God Is Said to Have Shaken
✦

More in History & Heritage

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — The Seal of Prophets

The life, mission, and legacy of Sayyidna Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW) — the Seal of Prophets, the beloved of Allah, the Natiq of the final divine dispensation, and the one through whose lineage the Imamate continues in the Ahl al-Bayt. This is the foundation of every Bohra belief and practice.
Sayyidna Ibrahim al-Khalil (AS) — The Friend of Allah

Sayyidna Ibrahim ibn Azar (AS) — the Prophet Abraham — is the father of monotheism, the builder of the Ka'ba with his son Ismail (AS), and the ancestor through whom both the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) via the Ishmaelite line and a vast number of Prophets via the Israelite line descend. He is called Khalilullah (the Friend of Allah) and his trials are among the greatest in prophetic history. Hajj itself was established by him and restored by the Prophet (SAW).
The Fourteen Masumeen — Prophet and Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt

A reference guide to the 14 Ma'sumeen — Rasulullah (SAW), Syedatona Fatema (AS), and the 12 Imams — whose names, lives, and legacy form the devotional and theological core of Bohra and wider Shia Islamic tradition.
← Back to all articles