al-Islam fi Ifriqiya Abr al-Tarikh - Muhammad Aman al-Jami - (14)

al-Islam fi Ifriqiya Abr al-TarikhMuhammad Aman al-Jami

Ja‘far was then asked, “What was the religion they abandoned, and what is the new religion they have followed?”

Answering these two questions would make the truth clear and manifest, so that falsehood might vanish—for falsehood is always bound to vanish in the end, and the final outcome belongs to the God-fearing.

With the courage and steadfastness we have come to know in him, Ja‘far replied, “The religion we used to follow and have now abandoned was the religion of Satan.” He then explained, “We used to disbelieve in Allah and worship stones. As for the religion we have embraced, it is Allah’s religion—Islam. A messenger brought it to us from Allah, together with a scripture like that of Jesus son of Mary, in agreement with it.”

These last words stirred the Negus deeply. He said, “You have spoken of a momentous matter, so proceed slowly.” He then ordered the bell to be rung—as was their custom—and every priest and monk gathered before him. He said to them, “I adjure you by Allah, who revealed the Gospel to Jesus: do you find that a prophet is to be sent between Jesus and the Day of Resurrection?” They replied, “Yes, by Allah. Jesus gave us glad tidings of him, saying, ‘Whoever believes in him has believed in me, and whoever disbelieves in him has disbelieved in me.’”

The Negus then began asking Ja‘far about what the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had brought, what he commanded them to do, and what he forbade them to do.

Ja‘far gave the following detailed answer: “He recites Allah’s Book to us. He enjoins what is right and forbids what is wrong. He commands us to treat our neighbours well, maintain ties of kinship, show kindness to orphans, and worship Allah alone, without any partner.”

The Negus then expressed his wish to hear something of what had been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Ja‘far recited some of the Noble Quran to him, and the eyes of the Negus and some of his companions overflowed with tears. Concerning them, these words of Allah Most High were revealed:

“When they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized.” 1

This was stated by Qatādah

(1) Surah al-Mā’idah, verse 83.

فسئل جعفر ما الدين الذي تركوه؟ وما الدين الجديد الذكر اتبعوه؟. فبالإجابة على هذين السؤالين ينجلي الحق ويظهر ليزهق الباطل لأنه زهوق دائما في النهاية والعاقبة للمتقين. فقال جعفر في شجاعة وثبات- كما عرفناه- أما الدين الذي كنا عليه فتركناه فهو دين الشيطان. ثم أخذ يفسره قائلا كنا نكفر بالله ونعبد الحجارة، وأما الدين الذي تحولنا إليه فهو دين الله - الإسلام- جاءنا به من الله رسول وكتاب مثل كتاب عيسى بن مريم موافقا له. فأثارت هذه العبارة الأخيرة في نفس النجاشي ما أثارت فقال تكلمت بأمر عظيم فعلى رسلك، ثم أمر بضرب الناقوس- على عاداتهم- فاجتمع إليه كل قسيس وراهب ثم تام، لهم أسألكم بالله الذي أنزل الإنجيل على عيسى هل تجدون بين يدي عيسى وبين القيامة نبيا مرسلا فقالوا اللهم نعم. قد بشرنا به عيسى فقال: من آمن به فقد آمن بي ومن كفر به فقد كفر بي"ثم أخذ النجاشي يسأل جعفرا عما جاء به النبي ﵊. وبم يأمرهم أوعن أي شيء ينهاهم؟ فأجاب جعفر بالتفصيل الآتي قائلا: يقرأ علينا كتاب الله. ويأمر بالمعروف وينهى عن المنكر. ويأمر بحسن الجوار وبصلة الرحم وبر اليتيم، وبعبادة الله وحده لا شريك له، ثم أبدى النجاشي رغبته في سماع ما تيسر مما نزل على النبي محمد ﵊. فقرأ عليه جعفر شيئا من القرآن الكريم ففاضت عين النجاشي وبعض أصحابه ففيهم نزل قوله تعالى: ﴿وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ﴾ ١، قاله قتادة

١ سورة المائدة الآية رقم ٨٣.