Migration to Abyssinia: The First Hijrah

The First Hijrah to Abyssinia was a migration of a group of early Muslims, by the permission of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, to the Christian kingdom of Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia) to escape severe persecution in Mecca. This event, known as the first migration in Islamic history, laid a foundational precedent for seeking refuge and preserving faith under oppressive conditions.

The Context of Persecution in Mecca

In the early years of his prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called his tribe, the Quraysh, to worship Allah alone. The Quraysh initially responded with ridicule, then escalating to verbal abuse, economic boycott, and physical torture. The weaker and unprotected Muslims, such as Bilal ibn Rabah, Khabbab ibn al-Aratt, and Ammar ibn Yasir, suffered especially brutal treatment. The polytheists of Mecca sought to force them to renounce Islam, subjecting them to hunger, whipping, and being laid on burning sand. The persecution became so intense that some Muslims could no longer practice their faith openly or safely.

The Quran explicitly encourages migration to preserve one’s faith, as Allah states: "Whoever emigrates in the way of Allah shall find on the earth many a place to settle, and a wide dimension (of resources)." This verse highlights the mercy and provision awaiting those who leave their homes for the sake of their religion.

The Migration to Abyssinia: A Strategic Choice

Recognizing the unbearable situation, the Prophet ﷺ permitted a group of Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia, a land ruled by a just Christian king known as the Negus (Ashama ibn Abjar). The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have described the Negus as a king under whom no one is oppressed, making Abyssinia a safe haven. The first migration consisted of approximately eleven men and four women, including Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah (the Prophet’s daughter), and Zubayr ibn al-Awwam.

This migration was not a flight from hardship alone but a calculated act of faith and wisdom. The Muslims sought a place where they could worship Allah freely without fear of torture or death. Allah’s promise to the believers who migrate for His sake is clear: "Indeed, those who have attained faith and those who have emigrated and have striven in the way of Allah—those expect Allah’s mercy, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Bestowing of mercy."

The Abyssinian Trial: The Quraysh’s Attempt to Extradite the Muslims

When the Quraysh learned that the Muslims had settled safely in Abyssinia, they sent two envoys, Amr ibn al-As and Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi’ah, with gifts to the Negus and his generals, in an effort to extradite the refugees. The envoys argued that the Muslims were foolish youths who had abandoned the religion of their forefathers and rejected the king’s own faith (Christianity). The Negus summoned the Muslims to defend themselves.

The delegation was led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin. Ja’far’s response is a cornerstone of Islamic history. He addressed the Negus:

Ja’far then recited verses from Surah Maryam, which speak of Jesus and his mother Mary, causing the Negus and his bishops to weep. The Negus declared that the message of Islam and Christianity shared a common root, and he refused to hand over the Muslims. He returned the Quraysh’s gifts and granted the Muslims full protection. This event demonstrated that truth, when presented with clarity and sincerity, can overcome deceit and oppression.

The Reward of Migration and the Divine Perspective

The Quran repeatedly elevates the status of those who migrate for the sake of Allah. It pairs migration with faith and striving in the cause of Allah, emphasizing that they are not merely escaping hardship but actively seeking Allah’s pleasure. "And those who believed and emigrated and strove in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are of a higher rank with Allah. It is they who are the triumphant."

Furthermore, Allah’s generosity extends even to those who die during migration: "And those who emigrated for the cause of Allah and then were killed or died – He will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is Allah who is the best of providers."

The first Hijrah to Abyssinia was not merely a historical incident but a living lesson in prioritizing faith over worldly security. The migrants abandoned their homes, families, and possessions, placing their trust in Allah alone. Their example encourages believers to preserve their religion even when it requires difficult choices.

The First Hijrah in the Light of the Quran: Mutual Responsibility Among Believers

The Quran establishes a bond of mutual support between those who migrate and those who give them refuge. In Surah al-Anfal: "Indeed, those who have believed and migrated and striven with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah, and those who gave shelter and aided – they are allies of one another." This verse highlights the profound solidarity that migration creates within the Muslim community, a precedent that was fully realized in the later Hijrah to Madinah.

The Abyssinian migration also underscores the ethical principle of seeking refuge with just rulers, regardless of their faith. The Prophet ﷺ did not command the Muslims to seek a Muslim land, but rather a land where justice prevailed. This event teaches that Muslims may, in times of persecution, seek protection in a non-Muslim society that guarantees religious freedom and safety.

Sources

• Quran 8:72 — https://quran.com/8/72
• Quran 4:100 — https://quran.com/4/100
• Quran 2:218 — https://quran.com/2/218
• Quran 9:20 — https://quran.com/9/20
• Quran 22:58 — https://quran.com/22/58
• Sahih al-Bukhari 3852 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3852
• Musnad Ahmad 26504 — https://sunnah.com/ahmad:26504
• Musnad Ahmad 1740 — https://sunnah.com/ahmad:1740