KING ASHAMA OF AKSUM, FROM THE SAME DYNASTY AS MAGUS BALTHAZAR, OFFERS PROTECTION TO THE FIRST PERSECUTED MUSLIMS
In the ancient capital of the Aksumite Kingdom lies the presumed tomb of the Magus Balthazar, also known as King Bazen. From this esteemed lineage, King Ashama, a Christian monarch of Aksum, welcomed the first persecuted Muslims during the First Hijra in the 7th c.. Among the refugees were notable figures from the Prophet Muhammad’s family, including his daughter Ruqayyah and his son-in-law Uthman ibn Affan. Ja’far ibn Abī Tālib, the Prophet’s cousin, led the delegation and recounted the teachings of Muhammad to King Ashama. When Ja’far recited a passage from Surah Maryam (Chapter of Mary), the king was moved to tears. As a result, Aksum became a significant sanctuary for the early Islamic community, earning the title of “second Mecca.”