Some say that its original form is a’antum (“are you”), with the hā’ serving as a particle of attention. Al-Akhfash said: Its original form is a’antum, but the first hamzah was changed into a hā’, as in the alternate expressions haraqta al-mā’a and araqta al-mā’a (“you poured out the water”).

As for hā’ulā’i (“these”), its original form is ulā’i, to which the hā’ of attention has been prefixed. It stands in the place of a vocative particle; that is, “O you people, here you are, disputing concerning that of which you have knowledge”—meaning the matter of Moses and Jesus. You claimed to follow their religion, and the Torah and the Gospel had been sent down to you. “So why do you dispute concerning that of which you have no knowledge?” There is nothing in your Scripture stating that Abraham was a Jew or a Christian.

It has also been said that “you have disputed concerning that of which you have knowledge” refers to the matter of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, for they found his description in their Scripture, yet they disputed about him falsely. So why do you dispute concerning Abraham, when he is not mentioned in your Scripture and you have no knowledge of him? “Allah knows, while you do not know.”

Then Allah Most High declared Abraham free of what they had alleged, saying:

“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; rather, he was a hanif, a Muslim, and he was not one of the polytheists. (67) Indeed, the people with the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, as well as this Prophet and those who believe. And Allah is the Protector of the believers. (68)”

“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; rather, he was a hanif, a Muslim, and he was not one of the polytheists.” A hanif is one who turns away from all other religions toward the upright religion. It has also been said that a hanif is one who affirms Allah’s oneness, performs pilgrimage, offers sacrifice, is circumcised, and faces the Ka‘bah. This is the easiest of religions and the most beloved of them to Allah, exalted is He.

His saying, exalted is He, “Indeed, the people with the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him,” means those who followed him in his own time; “as well as this Prophet,” meaning Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, “and those who believe” with him, meaning those of this community. “And Allah is the Protector of the believers.”

Al-Kalbi related from Abu Salih, from Ibn Abbas; and Muhammad ibn Ishaq related it from Ibn Shihab through his chain of transmission: the account of the migration to Abyssinia. When Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, and some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, emigrated to Abyssinia and settled there, and when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, emigrated to Medina 60/b, and the events of Badr had taken place, Quraysh gathered in the House of Assembly and said, “We have a vendetta against those Companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who are with the Negus, on account of those of you who were killed at Badr. So collect wealth and present it as a gift to the Negus; perhaps he will hand over to you those of your people who are with him. Let two men of sound judgment among you undertake this mission.”

So they sent Amr ibn al-As and Umarah ibn al-Walid with gifts of leather goods and other items. They crossed the sea and came to Abyssinia. When they entered before the Negus, they prostrated to him, greeted him, and said, “Our people are your sincere well-wishers, grateful to you, and devoted to your welfare. They have sent us to warn you against these people who have come to you, for they are the followers of a lying man who has emerged among us, claiming to be the Messenger of Allah. None of us has followed him except fools. We had placed them under severe pressure and driven them into a mountain pass in our land, where no one could go in to them and none of them could come out; hunger and thirst were killing them. When their plight became severe, he sent his cousin to you in order to corrupt your religion, your kingdom, and your subjects. So beware of them and hand them over to us, and we will relieve you of them.”

They also said, “A sign of this is that, when they enter before you, they will not prostrate to you or greet you with the greeting by which people greet you, out of aversion to your religion and your custom.” The Negus then summoned them. When they arrived, Ja‘far called out at the door, “Allah’s party seeks permission to enter before you.” The Negus said, “Tell this caller to repeat what he said.” Ja‘far did so, and the Negus said, “Yes, let them enter under Allah’s protection and covenant.” Then Amr ibn