Update: I had to edit the title of the post since there have been some narrations that claim an-Najashi was Muslim. Now my question is, if he became Muslim would that make him a Muslim ruler? A Muslim ruler who didn’t rule under the laws of Islam or because Medina wasn’t fully established that it was okay?
Final Update: Based on the evidences in the comments below and the my research it is safe to say that an-Najashi died a Muslim and we should respect and praise him for his honesty and desire for the truth. May Allah preserve him. Ameen!
I recently heard about the following hadith in this lecture and thought I’d post it up.
Sources:
Narrated Abu Huraira, Allah’s Apostle informed (the people) about the death of An-Najashi on the very day he died. He went towards the Musalla (praying place) and the people stood behind him in rows. He said four Takbirs (i.e. offered the Funeral prayer). [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: Allah’s Apostle offered the funeral prayer for An-Najashi and I was in the second or third row.[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah : The Prophet said, “Today a pious man from Ethiopia (i.e. An Najashi) has expired, come on to offer the funeral prayer.” (Jabir said): We lined up in rows and after that the Prophet led the prayer and we were in rows. Jabir added, I was in the second row.”
Where are the an-Najashi’s of today? Obama? Haha, jk.
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16 Responses for "Muhammad (s) honored and prayed for the King an-Najashi who converted to Islam"
Najashi was a Muslim; a secret one due to fear for his life, but a Muslim nontheless.
Najashi was Muslim, and considered a tabi’ee. Radiyallahu Anh.
@Talha – Closet Muslim? Did al-Bukhari record it?
@aamer khan – A Muslim ruling a Christian Kingdom? Ethiopia remained Christian even up to this day…
@al-Suyuufi – Where are the narrations that say he is Muslim? And how did he rule his kingdom?
So the prophet (saas) honored someone who didn’t rule with the law of Allah?
Are all these sources sahih that say he took shahada?
the fact that Rasulullah (saw) prayed janazah is the main proof that An-Najashi was Muslim. this act has raised the question of whether or not it is permissible to perform janazah in absentia for a Muslim. see http://muslimmatters.org/2007/03/03/the-funeral-prayer-in-absentia/ and http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/10679/funeral%20non-muslim and http://www.muftisays.com/qa.php?viewpage=viewQA&question=3672
there are many scholars who say that he was Muslim, including Ibn Al-Qayyim, Ibn Qudamah, Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Hajar, Al-Munajjid, Ibn Uthaimin and others. i tried finding a scholar who said he was not muslim but i didn’t find anything.
as for the issue of ruling a Christian kingdom I don’t know, and Allah knows best.
sources say an-najashi died as a muslim due to rasool allah praying on him…but i think the muslims were not ordered to propagate their islam at that time..so that may be an excuse for him hiding his beliefs…
anyone is free to correct me..but its a worthwhile research to make
Najashi of today?…..Hugo Chavez comes to mind.
Najaashi was defintely Muslim. However, I’d advise Br. Suyuuti against disparaging the Muslim rulers. They are sinful just like all of us. It is against our aqeedah (Ahlus Sunnah) to disparage the rulers.
sincerely
Aboo Tasneem
Jazakallahukhair br.Dawud Adib for clarification, and MR for the post.
it is known that Najaashi was a Muslim, i don’t know the reference but remember that incident when Jibreel came to the Prophet, and the Prophet said to the ppl “today a righteous man has died” (referring to Najashi).
Imagine that, he wasnt just another Muslim he was “a righteous man”.
——
I remember learning some very interesting (general/fiqh) lessons from the situation of Najashi being king of non-Muslim state from Sh.Tawfique but that’s like another article.
Overall – he brought more benefit than harm by remaining as ruler
wallahu alim.
Nahyan
ah….I have a distinct feeling Dawud Adib is not who he claims to be…
@ akim
hugo chavez…really? I fail to see the link.
well Najashi was a just ruler who took in the Muslims when they were suffering at the hands of Quraish. Likewise Hugo offered to take in the detainees held by the US military at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7978135.stm
As for what Dawood Adib said: “It is against our aqeedah (Ahlus Sunnah) to disparage the rulers”
So what do you say of Hussain the grandson of the Prophet salallhu alaihi wasallam who not only disparaged the ruler but fought him?
btw, I just clicked on Dawud Adib’s link. That is very wrong dude!
watch this.
very good explanation.
Nijashi suppose to be a Muslim because in Sahi muslim i found Our prophet (PBUH) said” today your brother died and then he offer the death prayer on his absent body.
At first glance i was also shocked because i thought he was Christian King i start research i did not found accept these comments.
See,We strongly believe on Quran and siyah satah but it is not mention their that he reverted to islam again……
but if he was Muslim then why he did not join Prophet (PBUH) when he was struggling against Quraish. he was having strong force plus he was king?
Wallah Alam………….
i know only this he was nice man even righteous man and our brother but Muslim i am not sure …Allah knows only……narrator quote only this…if he was Muslim so he could quote also that he was reverted.
Wallah alam….