Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I?

0:01 Pause and identify this Companion, scholar, and eminent figure.

0:12 A new challenge: Who am I?

0:16 I am one of the Muhajirun (Emigrants) among the Companions, a Hashimi Qurayshi.

0:23 I am the cousin of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

0:27 I am the person who most resembles him in appearance.

0:30 I embraced Islam early on, among the very first of the people of Makkah to do so.

0:35 I was known for my eloquence, courage, and generosity.

0:39 I was titled "the possessor of two wings" and "the flyer."

0:43 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, nicknamed me "the Father of the Poor."

0:48 This is because I used to show them kindness, look after their needs, and sit with them.

0:54 I was one of the commanders of the army of the princes during the Battle of Mu'tah.

0:59 I migrated to Abyssinia.

1:01 I remained there by the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

1:06 Then I came to him while he was in Khaybar.

1:09 He was pleased with our arrival, peace be upon him.

1:14 When the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw

1:18 the affliction that had befallen the Muslims in Makkah,

1:22 and he was unable to protect us from what we were enduring,

1:26 he said to us:

1:27 "If you were to go out to the land of Abyssinia,

1:30 for there is a king there under whom no one is wronged,

1:34 and it is a land of truth,

1:36 until Allah grants you relief from what you are in."

1:41 So we went out then, migrating to the land of Abyssinia,

1:45 fearing persecution and fleeing with our religion.

1:49 When the news of this reached the Quraysh,

1:52 they consulted among themselves,

1:54 and decided to send two of their most cunning men to the Negus to demand our return.

1:58 They were two strong, capable men.

2:01 They arrived before the Negus,

2:04 and when they entered his presence, they prostrated to him,

2:07 and presented him with gifts,

2:09 which he admired.

2:11 One of them sat to his right,

2:14 and the other to his left.

2:16 They said:

2:17 "A group of our people have settled in your land;

2:21 they have abandoned our religion and mocked our gods."

2:25 The Negus sent for us.

2:28 I said to those with me:

2:30 "I am your spokesman."

2:32 They replied, "Yes."

2:34 So I entered and greeted him.

2:36 Those in the assembly asked:

2:38 "Why do you not prostrate to the King?"

2:41 I said:

2:42 "We do not prostrate to anyone but Allah."

2:45 They asked, "Why is that?"

2:47 I said:

2:48 "Allah has sent a Messenger among us,

2:51 and commanded us not to prostrate to anyone but Allah,

2:54 and He commanded us to perform prayer and pay zakat,

2:57 and to do righteous deeds."

2:59 Then 'Amr said:

3:02 "They disagree with you regarding the son of Maryam and his mother."

3:06 The Negus asked:

3:08 "What do you say about the son of Maryam and his mother?"

3:11 I said:

3:12 "We say as Allah has said:

3:15 He is the Spirit of Allah,

3:16 and His Word, which He cast into Maryam, the chaste virgin,

3:21 whom no man had ever touched."

3:24 I then recited to him a portion of Surah Maryam.

3:28 The Negus picked up a twig from the ground,

3:31 and said, while his beard was soaked with tears:

3:35 "O assembly of Abyssinians, priests, and monks,

3:40 what do you desire?

3:42 By Allah, this does not displease me.

3:45 I bear witness that he is the Messenger of Allah,

3:48 and that he is the one whom 'Isa foretold in the Gospel.

3:52 By Allah, were it not for the kingdom I hold,

3:56 I would have come to him,

3:57 and I would be the one to carry his sandals."

4:00 Then he said to us:

4:02 "Settle wherever you wish in safety;

4:05 no one shall harm you."

4:08 He ordered the gifts of the Quraysh

4:11 to be returned to them,

4:13 and sent them away disappointed.

4:15 I was the cause of the Negus's heart being opened to Islam.

4:20 We remained in Abyssinia until the seventh year of the Hijrah.

4:26 Then we migrated to Madinah.

4:29 We arrived to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,

4:33 on the day of the conquest of Khaybar.

4:35 He was pleased with our arrival.

4:37 The Messenger, peace be upon him, kissed me between my eyes,

4:42 embraced me, and said:

4:44 "I do not know which of the two I am more joyful about:

4:48 your arrival,

4:50 or the conquest of Khaybar."

4:52 So, who am I?

Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I? | Episode No. (249)

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