The Najran Pact,

Mobaahelah (Mubahilah)

Part 2

Now that the blasphemous beliefs of the christians of Najran are clear to us let us continue our review of the history of the time. Christian sources state that the jews of Najran were in contact with their co-religionists in Palestine; and that the existence of judaism in Arabia preceded the existence of christianity by several centuries. They say that the arrival and spread of christianity in Najran in the Yemen area of South Arabia, was bitterly opposed by the local jews. It is noteworthy to mention that, as stated in many writings in this site, such as “Mohammad, the Promise of Torah”, “Mohammad, the Promise of Enjil (Gospel)”, “AhlulBayt (Salaam Be Upon Them, SBUT), the Promise of Enjil (Gospel)”, “Wilayat of Mohammad and AhlulBayt (SBUT), From creation to eternity”, and …, the Glad Tidings given by Prophets Moosa -Moses- and ‘Eesa -Jesus- (SBUT) in regard to Hadrat Mohammad and his Allah Chosen Successors (SBUT) and regarding the area of their appearance, were quite precise, specially before distortions; as the result some sincere followers of the Prophets Moosa and ‘Eesa (SBUT) had immigrated to the area where the Promised Last Prophet (SBUH&HA) was to appear in order to meet and follow him as commanded by all previous Prophets (SBUT). But gradually the distortions, selfishness and … cast their dark shadows over their beliefs and they eventually expanded their distorted judaism and christianity in the area. We also cordially invite our friends to read “For you, Elia!” and “Story of Fakhr-Ul-Islam” in this site (kindfather.com).

In spite all the distortions and … still many of them, specially their learned ones, knew the Truth and thus recognized the Prophet Mohammad, Hadrat Ali and … (SBUT). Let us not forget that the Majestic Qur’an verifies that the jews and christians had recognized the Prophet Mohammad (SBUH&HA) as clear as they knew their own children, i.e. there was absolutely no doubt whatsoever in their minds that Hadrat Mohammad (SBUH&HA) was the Promised Prophet; another very significant point to notice is that the verbs used in such verses are not past tense, i.e. they continue to recognize …:

Qur’an 2:146 Those whom We have given the Book (jews and christians) recognize him (Mohammad -SBUH&HA-) as they recognize their sons, and certainly a party of them most surely conceal the Truth while they know.

Qur’an 6:20 Those whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their sons; (as for) those who have lost their souls, they do not believe.

The christian sources state:

“The Christians of Najran later came into conflict with the Jewish rulers of Yemen, which ended in their being massacred in 524 by the Himyarite king, Yusuf As'ar Dhu Nuwas.”

“Dhu Nuwas hoped to create, in the rich lands of Southern Arabia, a "Davidic" kingship which was independent of the Christian powers. He also considered Najran to be a Byzantine base that controlled the Red Sea trade route and did harm to the economic situation of Himyar.”

 “When Dhu Nuwas invaded [Najran], he called upon its people to abandon Christianity and embrace Judaism. When they refused, he had them thrown into burning ditches alive.”

It is quite clear that the jews led by Dhu Nuwas had also deviated severely from the True teachings of the Prophet Moosa -Moses- (SBUH); for they had not believed in and followed the Prophet ‘Eesa after the Prophet Moosa (SBUT).

In the same manner that it was incumbent on the jews upon recognition of Hadrat ‘Eesa (SBUH) to follow him, as Hadrat ‘Eesa himself had reminded them: John 5:46 “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.”, it was incumbent on both the jews and christians to follow the Prophet Mohammad (SBUH&HA), upon recognizing him as the Promised Last Prophet. But … .

Any how after the jews’ attack, the christian rule in the area reacted. Some sources say that Dus Dhu Tha'laban from the Saba tribe  escaped Najran and fled to Constantinople and reported what had happened and sought help from the emperor of Byzantium Justin I and then the emperor encouraged his ally the Abyssinian king. Others say that action started due to the arrival, at the court of the emperor’s ally the Abyssinian king Ella-Asbeha of Aksum, of a refugee from Najran. In any case an army of christians were dispatched to Najran. This is what the ancient book of Himyarites has said in this regard:

 “According to the Book of Himyarites, the instigation to action was not caused by a request from Constantinople but, more plausibly, the arrival at the court of the Abyssinian king of a refugee from Najran by the name of Umayya. Later, an army of 7,000 men led by Abraha al-Ashram, the Christian viceroy of the Negus of Abyssinia defeated Dhu Nuwas's forces and restored Christian rule in Najran.”

It is noteworthy to mention that the book of Himyarites was an ancient book which its full text is not at hand; rather a fragmentary Syriac text as a lone manuscript of the book (eight facsimiles) is available which was first recognized in 1920, and it was later translated to English and published. The Syriac title of the Book of Himyarites (transliterated to English) is: “Min ketaba d'Emiraya”.  It is said that it was possibly written by a bishop of perhaps Ruṣāfa named Sergios or Georgios. The Book provides Traditions of the expansion of christianity into Arabia and the interactions of christians with jews in early centuries of CE. (From introduction of English translation of the Book of Himyarites, translated by: Axel Moberg, publisher: C.W.K. Gleerup 1924, 2012)

It is important to pay attention that when the Abyssinian attacked Najran, they not only invaded Najran, but also they were ordered to “invade Himyar, kill Dhu-Nuwas, and annex Himyar.” In other words Himyar went under Abyssinian (Ethiopian) christian invasion and thus under Byzantine (Roman) empire’s influence.

Such invasions and power struggles were repeatedly happening in the area, for instance:

“The Aksumites invaded Tihāmah and Najrān for the first time in 340 AD.”

“In 528, Justinian I carved out the small coastal province Theodorias out of territory from both provinces [of Syria]. The region remained one of the most important provinces of the Byzantine Empire.”

 “The Byzantine emperors had long eyed the Arabian Peninsula as a region in which to extend their influence, thereby to control the lucrative spice trade.”

Trade was going on between these states, as a sample: “For many years, the [Himyar] kingdom was also the major intermediary linking East Africa and the Mediterranean world. This trade largely consisted of exporting ivory from Africa to be sold in the Roman Empire.”

As a result of wars between kingdoms, tribes, states …slaves were captured by all parts of conflicts. It is important to keep in mind that one of the commodities bought and sold in the trade caravans was these captured slaves, thus the slaves were taken to different territories. Many tribes and families also fled invasions and wars and moved from one location to another.

Therefore it is important to keep in mind that the presence of foreign slaves and emigrants in different territories was common.

Another  issue to keep in mind is that such regions, such as Constantinople, Abyssinia, Yemen and …, were considered developed and wealthy civilizations of their times, even though currently they may no longer hold such a status.

To be continued …