Abī Ṭālib, together with other men and women, and they all set out to the Negus, for he was a just king. The idolaters then sent envoys after them, carrying gifts, hoping to have them brought back. Yet, because of his sense of justice, he refused to hand them over until he had listened to what they had to say. When he heard their words and the account they gave him about the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—he believed in the Prophet and offered them protection.

When the Negus heard the Quran recited he declared, “Indeed, this and what Moses brought proceed from a single mishkāh (niche, i.e., source).”

Then, when he asked them about their view of the Messiah, peace be upon him, they replied, “We testify that he is Allah’s servant and Messenger, and His word that He cast to Mary, the ever-chaste virgin whom no man has touched.”

The Negus said to Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib, “By Allah, Jesus son of Mary has not gone beyond what you have said by so much as this ʿūd (stick).” His courtiers snorted in protest, whereupon he retorted, “Grunt if you wish, grunt if you wish!”

He then dispatched his own son and a group of his companions to the Prophet