If you are one of those who, whether willingly or unwillingly, have been forced to leave your country to start a new life in a new land, you need to carefully read between the lines of the Abyssinian migration. When considering choosing a new country, reflect deeply on the reasons why the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) chose Abyssinia over other places.
Beware of making migration or travel an end in itself. The migration to Abyssinia was not an adventure into the unknown. The Prophet (peace be upon him) set clear criteria that influenced his choice of that land, based on his prior knowledge of Abyssinia through his foster mother, Umm Ayman. He knew about the nature of its land, society, and rulers. Umm Ayman had lived there for a long time, to the point where she could not change her Abyssinian accent. She would say "Salam la 'alaykum" (Peace be upon you) instead of "As-salamu" (Peace be upon you), which the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted. According to Al-Zuhri, Abyssinia was one of the most beloved lands to the Prophet (peace be upon him) for migration.
The first criterion the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used was security. At that time, there was no safe place within the Arabian Peninsula for Muslims to seek refuge. Quraysh controlled Mecca and its surroundings, wielding significant commercial influence due to their control over trade caravans, and religious influence through the presence of the Kaaba. Abyssinia, therefore, was far from the reach of Quraysh. Seeking refuge there provided Muslims safety and peace from Quraysh’s oppression.
The second criterion was a stable and strong political system, ensuring the independence of the host country's decisions and its commitment to protect those who sought refuge. Abyssinia was a powerful and independent kingdom. Although it was religiously affiliated with the Egyptian church in Alexandria, it maintained political independence. This made it unlikely for Abyssinia to yield to political pressures or be invaded by Quraysh to pursue the migrants, unlike what happened in the Battle of the Trench. The strength of Abyssinia, its king, the distance, and the sea barrier prevented such possibilities. The worst Quraysh could do was send envoys to request the return of the refugees, which was later refused.
The third criterion for choosing a host land was the physical and psychological ability to endure the challenges of exile. The first migration to Abyssinia, which took place in the fifth year of the Prophet's mission, included 11 men and 4 women. The second migration, a few months later, included 97 men, 19 women, and 6 children. Analyzing the data about those who migrated to Abyssinia reveals:
Firstly, none of the early migrants included prominent companions who had suffered persecution from Quraysh, such as Ammar or Bilal (may Allah be pleased with them). Instead, the list of the first migration’s companions includes those of influence and status in Quraysh. This suggests that the primary goal of migration was not just personal safety. If that were the case, the weakest and least influential Muslims would have migrated. The Prophet (peace be upon him) aimed to preserve the nascent religion by maintaining a reserve of Muslims who could support the mission later, in addition to the important role of spreading Islam to new regions.
Secondly, the proportion of young adults aged 20 to 50 years was about two-thirds of the total migrants, while the elderly over 50 years accounted for only 3%. Youth were more capable of enduring the hardships of travel and the expected challenges in exile. The number of migrant women was 19, representing 18% of the total, which was reasonable given the anticipated difficulties in travel and migration. All the women migrated with their husbands, and some gave birth in Abyssinia, marking the birth of a new generation raised in the land of exile.
The fourth criterion used by the Prophet (peace be upon him) was justice. The Prophet (peace be upon him) referred to the justice of the king of Abyssinia, known as Najashi, saying to his companions: "If you leave for Abyssinia, you will find there a king under whom no one is wronged." Some sources indicate that Najashi’s justice reached a level where Quraysh used to refer to him in disputes. The well-known incident when Najashi refused Quraysh’s bribe to expel the Muslims is related to the historical injustice he experienced from the Abyssinians. He famously said after meeting Quraysh’s delegation: "I did not take a bribe when God restored my kingdom, so I will not take a bribe for it now. And if people obey me, then I obey them."
There is a long and strange story behind this saying, detailed by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). Najashi was the only son when his father became the king of Abyssinia. He had an uncle who had twelve sons. A conspiracy was hatched to kill the king and install his brother to ensure the continuation of his lineage. As a result, Najashi grew up with his uncle and was greatly influenced by him. The second conspiracy aimed to remove him from his uncle and sell him into slavery. Fate decreed that his uncle died the same day, struck by lightning. None of his children were capable of taking over the kingdom, so the people searched for Najashi, retrieved him from the trader who had bought him, and crowned him as king. The trader then demanded either his payment or a word with Najashi. They chose not to pay, so the trader spoke to Najashi, who ordered that the trader be given his money or his slave be returned, to be taken wherever he wanted. The trader chose to give the money. This story highlights another aspect of Najashi’s character, shaped by his experiences, which made him a just and powerful leader.
Before you think about leaving your homeland, remember these four criteria that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used as a reference for choosing a migration destination. Set specific goals for yourself, and seek a country that is secure, economically and politically stable, and values justice. Additionally, ensure that you have the psychological capacity to handle the challenges of travel and exile. All of this significantly contributes to the success of your migration experience and the achievement of your goals.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Read this Article in Arabic
