The correct answer is 615 CE. The second migration to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) took place in 615 CE, approximately two years after the first migration.
Historical Context of the Two Migrations
The migrations to Abyssinia are significant events in early Islamic history. The first migration, which occurred in 613 CE, involved a small group of Muslims seeking refuge from the persecution of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. They were led by Hazrat Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The second migration, which took place in 615 CE, involved a much larger group of approximately 100 Muslims (including 83 men and 18–19 women). This group was led by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The second migration was prompted by the escalating persecution and the growing hostility of the Quraysh towards the new Muslims.
Both groups found refuge under the Christian ruler of Abyssinia, Negus (King) Ashama ibn Abjar, who treated them with kindness and protected them from the envoys sent by the Quraysh to bring them back.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
- 614 CE: This is too close to the first migration and is not recorded as a separate migration event. There is no historical evidence of a migration in this year.
- 616 CE: Some sources may vary in their dating, but the most commonly accepted and widely referenced year in standard historical accounts is 615 CE. The 616 CE date is less common and appears in alternate narrative traditions.
- 617 CE: This year is not associated with the second migration. By 617 CE, the majority of the migrants had already settled in Abyssinia, and some had even begun returning to Mecca.
Therefore, based on the most widely accepted historical records, the second migration to Abyssinia occurred in 615 CE, making it the only correct answer among the given choices.