At that time, Najaashi came into the custody and care of his uncle, the new Emperor. Najaashi was exceptionally intelligent and understanding. Thus, Najaashi enjoyed a special position in the sight of the Emperor that was unparalleled by any other person, to the extent that he began to oversee all the affairs of the Emperor.

When the people of Abyssinia saw his intelligence, they feared that he would seek revenge for the assassination of his father. Therefore, they requested the Emperor to kill him. The Emperor replied, “Yesterday, you killed his father, and today, you want to kill him! I cannot agree to this! The most that I can do is to send him away from here.”

The people agreed to this proposal, took Najaashi from his uncle, and sold him to a trader for six hundred dirhams. The trader took possession of him and departed.

That very evening, the Emperor was struck by lightning and died. Now, the people were left in turmoil and were perplexed as to who they should appoint as the Emperor. None of the Emperor’s twelve sons had the capability to ascend to the throne. Every one of the twelve, from the eldest to the youngest, was foolish and immature.

At that time, some people suggested, “If you wish for your land to prosper and be successful, then bring Najaashi back and make him the Emperor.” Accordingly, people rushed off in all directions, searching for the merchant who had purchased him. On finding him, they brought Najaashi back and made him the new Emperor.

After he assumed the role of Emperor, the merchant came and requested that he be refunded the money that he had paid to purchase Najaashi. Thus, Najaashi returned his six hundred dirhams to him.

Hazrat ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentions, “When Najaashi addressed the representatives of the Quraish and said to them, ‘Allah Ta‘ala has blessed me with power and empire without any type of bribery’ then it was this incident that he was referring to.”

From the time Najaashi made the announcement declaring that the Muslims could live in his land in safety, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) resided in Abyssinia in peace. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) migrated to Madinah Munawwarah, then on hearing of his hijrah, most of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) left Abyssinia and travelled to Madinah Munawwarah. Twenty four of these Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) participated in the Battle of Badr.

The remaining Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) left Abyssinia in the company of Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and travelled to Madinah Munawwarah in the year 7 A.H. around the time of the conquest of Khaibar.

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/ 253-255)