Letter Аttributed to the Prophet Muhammad addressed to Najashi, ruler of Abyssinia

The soft texture of papyrus and the disciplined lines of Kufic script evoke the atmosphere of the 7th century, when words from Medina became instruments of international dialogue. This letter, attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was addressed to the Negus of Abyssinia, known in Islamic tradition as Aṣḥama ibn Abjar. Such letters represented diplomatic acts capable of reshaping history. They connected Arabia and East Africa through written appeal grounded in faith and justice. The text is written in early Kufic script, restrained and carefully structured. At the bottom appears a seal reading “Muhammad – Messenger of God,” arranged from bottom to top, emphasizing the sacred hierarchy of meaning. The content reflects the central message of Qur’an 3:64 – an invitation to a “just word between us and you”: acknowledgment of one God and rejection of associating partners with Him. It is a call to monotheism and peace expressed in dignified language. Islamic tradition recounts that the Negus received the letter with deep respect, descended from his throne in humility, and embraced Islam. After his death, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed a funeral prayer in absentia for him. This papyrus unites diplomacy, spiritual choice, and inter-civilizational respect – a defining theme of the First Renaissance of Islamic civilization.