NEGUS, THE KING OF ABYSSINIA

with the believers, when Jesus was mentioned, the representative of the Prophet’s Companions, Jafar Ibn Abi Talib, said that Jesus was a prophet of God. After ascertaining the truth about the whole affair, Negus gave back to the Makkan delegation their gifts and told them to return to their land. He said that he would not hand over the Muslim believers to them. The Muslims, he said, could stay on in his land for as long as they liked. (Seerath ibn Kathir) This is the true method of dispensing justice. Justice is not a one-sided process. Rather, it entails examining both sides of a matter and then arriving at a just decision. According to the Prophet’s direct testimony, King Negus’ manner was an exemplary model of just behaviour. Whenever a conflict appears between two parties, it is not just; but, rather, a form of oppression, to listen to only one party’s version of the story and then pass a judgment. This is wholly improper behaviour for anyone, no matter how high a position he holds in society. Justice is not a one-sided process. In this matter, Negus was not influenced by the gifts of the Makkan delegation. Nor did he accept the advice and recommendations of his courtiers and people who were close to him. In fact, he did not even bother that the Muslim believers did not observe the customary form of paying respect that he was used to, thereby perhaps dishonouring him in the eyes of his courtiers. In addition, they had denied and critiqued some of the religious beliefs of the king and his people, asserting them to be wrong. The King did not bother about all this, and focused only on the issue of justice in this entire affair. He completely ignored all other aspects, personal as well as other. He heard both parties and impartially investigated the affair. And then he gave his decision, which was in accordance with the demands of justice. The greatest form of piety is when man decides a matter justly, uninfluenced by pressure and by the possibility that a just decision might go against one’s ego and its interests. These are the exalted souls who, in the hereafter, will find a place in Paradise. o