This Seerah lecture explores the fascinating story of Abu Bakr’s protection by Ibn al-Dughunnah, the first emigration to Abyssinia, and the critical role of the Najashi (the Christian king of Abyssinia) in sheltering the early Muslim community. It also addresses the important question of the Islamic calendar’s origins and why Muharram was chosen as the first month of the Hijri year.
The Emigration to Abyssinia and the Najashi’s Legacy
When the persecution in Makkah became unbearable, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed his companions to seek refuge in Abyssinia — a land ruled by a just Christian king who would not tolerate oppression. The Najashi recognized the truth of Islam immediately, reportedly saying: “This comes from the same source as what Jesus Christ came from.” Some scholars theorize that the Najashi may have been influenced by pre-Nicene Christianity — the original monotheistic teaching of Jesus before the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE introduced the doctrine of the Trinity. This would explain his instant recognition of Islam’s message as authentic.
“Before the Council of Nicaea, there was no unified doctrine of the Trinity. Arius, who opposed it, fled south — and some scholars believe his monotheistic influence survived in pockets of Africa, including Abyssinia. When Islam arrived, the Najashi recognized it as the same pure message.”
The Origins of the Islamic Calendar
- During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, the need for a standardized calendar arose, and the companions debated which month should begin the year
- Some suggested Rajab (a sacred month), others suggested Dhul-Hijjah (the month of Hajj), but it was Umar who chose Muharram — because it marks the time when pilgrims return home and begin a new chapter in their lives
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said he never saw himself fast in any month outside Ramadan as much as in Muharram, and that fasting on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura) expiates the minor sins of the entire previous year
- The tragic events of Karbala occurred on the 10th of Muharram, and while hearts grieve for what happened, the sacredness of the day was established long before that event and is not defined by it
“The Najashi’s grave remains a well-known site in Abyssinia to this day. He was the only person for whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed the funeral prayer in absentia — a unique honor that speaks to the depth of this king’s faith and sacrifice for the Muslim community.”
This chapter of the Seerah reveals how Allah opened doors for the early Muslims in the most unexpected places. A Christian king in Africa became one of Islam’s greatest allies, and the strategic patience of the Prophet in maintaining the Abyssinian community as a safeguard proved to be a masterclass in divinely-guided leadership and long-term planning.
