As for the Negus, we used to relate that a light could always be seen shining over his grave (1).
ʿUmārah, on the other hand, remained among the wild beasts until the caliphate of ʿUmar. His brother was guided to his whereabouts, so he set out, choosing the moment when ʿUmārah would come to the water-hole. When ʿUmārah saw his brother he bolted, but the latter leapt after him and seized him. ʿUmārah kept crying, “Let me go, my brother!” Yet he would not release him; ʿUmārah’s strength failed from fear and he died on the spot.
Thus he is counted among the insane who will be resurrected in the state they were in before their minds departed—this wretch (2) will therefore be raised upon disbelief and hostility toward the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). We ask Allah for forgiveness.
Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad narrated to me, from his father, who said: The Abyssinians gathered and said to the Negus, “You have abandoned our religion.” They rose up against him, whereupon he sent for Jaʿfar and his companions, prepared ships for them, and said, “Board them; if I am defeated, sail away, but if I prevail, stay.”
He then took a scroll and wrote in it: “He bears witness that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and he bears witness that Jesus is His servant, His Messenger, His spirit, and His word which He bestowed upon Mary.” He placed the scroll inside his tunic, went out to the Abyssinians, and they lined up before him.
He said, “People of Abyssinia, do I not have the greatest claim over you?” They replied, “Indeed.” He asked, “How have you found my conduct among you?” They answered, “The very best conduct.” He said, “Then what is the matter with you?” They said, “You have left our religion and you allege that Jesus is merely a servant.”
He asked, “What do you say about him?” They replied, “He is the son of God.”
Placing his hand on his chest over his tunic, he said, “He bears witness that Jesus has not said more than this.” By this he meant the words he had written. They were satisfied and departed.
News of this reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the Negus died, he offered the funeral prayer for him and sought forgiveness for him.