It is narrated from Umm al-Mu'mineen, Hazrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), that when we arrived in the land of Abyssinia, we found the best neighbor in the form of "Najashi." We found peace regarding our religion; we worshipped Allah in such a way that no one would trouble us, and we would not hear any unpleasant thing. When the Quraysh heard of this, they consulted and decided to send two strong men of the Quraysh to Najashi with rare and precious gifts. In their eyes, the most excellent and valuable thing was "leather." So they collected a lot of leather and gathered gifts for every chief of Najashi as well. They entrusted all these things to Abdullah bin Abi Rabi'ah and Amr bin al-As, explained everything to them, and said: Before speaking to Najashi about them, deliver each chief his gift. Then present the gifts and offerings to Najashi, and before he speaks to those people, request him to hand them over to you.

These two set out from Makkah and reached Najashi. Until then, we were living among the best neighbors and in the best residence. Before speaking to Najashi, they gave gifts to each of his chiefs and said to each one: Some foolish young men from our people have come to the king of Abyssinia's land, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion themselves, which neither we know nor you. Now, the honorable people of our nation have sent us so that we may bring them back. When we speak to His Majesty the King about them, you also advise him that the King should hand them over to us without any conversation with them, because the eyes of their people are deeper, and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them. Upon this, all the chiefs assured them of their cooperation.

After that, both of them presented their gifts to Najashi, which he accepted. Then they said to him: Your Majesty! Some foolish young men from our country have come to your city, who have abandoned the religion of their people and have not entered your religion, but have invented a new religion themselves, which neither you know nor we know. Now, some honorable people from their nation—including their fathers, uncles, and family members—have sent us to you so that you may hand them over to us, because their eyes are deeper and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them.

At that time, the most disliked thing in their eyes was that Najashi might be willing to listen to us. Meanwhile, the chiefs present with him also said: Your Majesty! These people are telling the truth. The eyes of their people are deeper, and they are more aware of what faults have been ascribed to them. Therefore, you should hand these people over to them so that they may take them back to their city and people.

At this, Najashi became angry and said: No, by God! I cannot hand over a people who have accepted to be my neighbors, have come to my country, and have preferred me over others. I will first call them and ask them about what these two are saying about them. If they are as these two say, I will hand them over to them and send them back to their city and people. But if it is not so, then I will not hand them over to them; rather, I will prove myself to be a good neighbor.

After that, Najashi sent a message and called the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). When the messenger came to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), they gathered together and consulted about what to say when they reached the king. Then they decided among themselves that we will say only what we know or what the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has commanded us; whatever happens, we will see. So these gentlemen went to Najashi. Najashi had also called his priests, and they were sitting before him with the heavenly books and scriptures open. Najashi asked them: What is that religion for which you have abandoned the religion of your people, have not entered my religion, nor adopted the religion of any other nation?

At this moment, Hazrat Ja'far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke and said: Your Majesty! We were ignorant people; we used to worship idols, eat carrion, commit acts of indecency, sever ties of kinship, and mistreat neighbors...