His courtiers, who were standing around him, said, “They have spoken the truth, O King. Their own people keep the closest watch over them and know best the faults for which they reproach them. Hand them over to the two men so that they may take them back to their land and to their kin.”

Umm Salamah continued: The Negus grew angry and declared, “No, by God! I will never surrender them to those two, nor will I betray a people who have sought my protection, settled in my country, and chosen me over all others. I shall first summon them and ask them about what these two allege against them. If they are as the envoys claim, I will hand them over and return them to their people; but if not, I will shield them from the envoys and grant them the finest hospitality for as long as they remain my neighbors.”

She said: He then sent for the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and summoned them. When his messenger reached them, they gathered together and some of them said to the others, “What will you say to the king when you stand before him?”

They answered, “By Allah, we shall say only what our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has taught us and commanded us, whatever the outcome may be.”

When they came before the king—Abū Nuʿaym adds: the Negus had also convened his bishops—