THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME 


WITH  PROPHET  MUHAMMAD


 THE PROPHET OF ALLAH





058











 THE  PROPHETS  LETTERS  INVITING RULERS  TO  ISLAM





by


Khadeijah A. Stephens














Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com  Muhammad.com  Mosque.com


Khadeijah A. Stephens 






















































































Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem


The Prophets Letters Inviting Rulers to Islam





At the encounter of the Trench when the Companions were digging they had been unable to move a boulder and called upon the help of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) struck the boulder three times and upon the third strike it disintegrated into a pile of sand. However, each time the boulder had been struck it emitted a brilliant light, so bright that it lit up three far away cities. The first stretched as far the palaces of Syria, the second as far as Madian in Persia and the third light lit up Yemen. This light is reminiscent of the light which emitted from Lady Aminah when she conceived and then again when she gave birth to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam).


 


On account of this miracle the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) knew that Islam would spread to these great cities and beyond to all the other great cities, towns and villages of the world, and so it was between 6H and early in 7H that he wrote letters to several rulers inviting them to embrace Islam.





The Invitation to Heraclius, Caesar, Emperor of Rome


Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent his messenger, Dihyah Al Kalbi, with a letter to Heraclius Emperor of Rome inviting him to Islam.





Before Dihyah arrived with the invitation from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) Heraclius had a very clear dream, a vision which he could not dismiss. In the vision he was told that a prophet had appeared among those who were circumcised. Heraclius was pious and aware of Jesus' prophecy that a new prophet would be sent:





"And when Jesus, the son of Mary said, 'Children of Israel,


I am sent to you by Allah to affirm the Torah that was before me,


and to give news of a Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) who will come after me" 


(Koran 61:6).





Heraclius asked those close to him if they knew of any who practiced circumcision but they replied that the only ones they knew were the Jews. Now that he had received the letter from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) Heraclius was indeed anxious to read it:





Prophet Muhammad’s Letter to Heraclius





In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful.


From: 	The Messenger of Allah


To: 	Heraclius, the greatest of Romans


"Peace be upon those who follow Divine Guidance.


I therefore, invite you to embrace Islam. Surrender to Allah and live in peace.


Allah will doubly reward you, but if you turn away, the sin of the 'Arisiyin


(those under Heraclius' domain) will rest upon you." Then he quoted the Koran:





'Say: People of the Book! (Jews, Nazarenes and Christians)


Let us come to a common word between us and you,


that we will worship none except Allah, that we will associate none with Him,


and that none of us take others for lords beside Allah.’ 


If they turn away, say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ Koran 3:64





Having read the letter, Heraclius inquired of Dihyah whether it was customary for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) and the Muslims to practice circumcision, whereupon he replied in the affirmative and Heraclius confided that he believed. Before Dihyah set out upon his return journey Dihyah received a handsome personal gift from Heraclius as a token of his gratitude and appreciation.





The vision and now the letter had such a great impact on Heraclius that he dispatched a letter to his friend who was also knowledgeable of the scriptures telling him the news. His friend replied saying he was in agreement with Heraclius' conclusion that a prophet had indeed been sent.





The Imperial, Investigative Cross Examination of the Prophethood


A peace treaty was in effect between the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) and the hostile tribe of Koraysh. Abu Sufyan, its chieftain who was also one of the most bitter enemies of Islam at that time, knew that on account of the peace treaty he could rely upon the safe passage of his caravan to trade in far away Syria (Ash-Sham) which was part of the Roman Empire so he and his companions set out upon their trading mission.





When Heraclius learned a Koraysh caravan from Mecca was now in the vicinity, he sent a rider with a message to the caravaners saying he wished them to accompany his rider back to his fortress so he may speak with them.





As Abu Sufyan and his caravan journeyed to Heraclius' fortress, he wondered why the Emperor of Rome had sent for him but he didn't have to wait long. As soon as they reached the fortress Abu Sufyan and his companions were presented to Heraclius who was in his upper gallery above the courtyard out of earshot of the patriarchs of the church and his generals.





Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan and his companions who amongst them was closest to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) in kinship. Abu Sufyan replied that it was he and informed him the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) hailed from a noble lineage. Then, Heraclius turned to his companions and said, "If he says something you know to be contradictory, you must speak."





Heraclius' questions were direct. He asked Abu Sufyan if any of his tribe had ever before claimed to be a prophet whereupon Abu Sufyan replied that none had. Then he asked if any of his ancestors had been a king and Abu Sufyan replied they had not. Heraclius was interested to know what kind of people followed the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) and if their numbers were increasing or decreasing. Abu Sufyan replied that they were poor people and their numbers were increasing. Then, Heraclius asked if he knew of anyone of his followers had reverted to their old religion, and Abu Sufyan replied he knew of none.





Referring to the Prophet's character, Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan if he had ever known the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam)  to lie, or if he had ever betrayed or broken his word, whereupon Abu Sufyan replied no to all counts. Then, referring to the latter, Abu Sufyan commented in a tone of resentment, "We have a treaty with him, but we do not know what he will do."





Heraclius next asked if they had ever fought against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) and if so to tell him about the outcome. Abu Sufyan replied that they had fought; sometimes they had been victorious and upon other occasions victory belonged to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam).





Then Heraclius inquired about his teachings whereupon Abu Sufyan told him that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) ordered his followers to worship Allah alone and not to associate anything or anyone with Him, and to renounce the idols their forefathers had worshipped. Abu Sufyan continued to tell him that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) also ordered them to pray, not to lie, to be chaste, and to foster kindred relationships.





The Witnessing to the Authenticity of Prophet Muhammad, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) 


From these answers Heraclius confirmed his opinion of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) saying, "All the prophets came from noble families, I asked you if anyone before him from your tribe claimed to be a prophet and your reply was no. If your reply had affirmed it then I would have deduced he was mimicking that man. I asked if any of your ancestors had been a king, you replied they had not. If your answer had been otherwise I would have assumed he wanted to reclaim his ancestral kingdom. When I asked if he lied, you replied he did not, so I wondered how a person who does not lie could ever tell a lie about Allah.





I also asked you about his followers, whether they were rich or poor and you replied they were poor -- the followers of all the prophets were poor. When I asked if his followers were increasing or decreasing, you replied increasing; this is the course of true belief. Then, I asked if there was anyone who, after embracing Islam recanted. You replied you knew of none; this is another sign of belief as it enters the heart.





When I asked you if he had ever been known to betray, you replied he had not; this is the way of all prophets. Then I asked you what he ordered his followers to do, and you told me that he orders that Allah alone is to be worshipped, and forbade the worship of idols. Then you told me he orders you to pray, speak the truth, and to be chaste. If what you say is true, he will, soon own the place of these two feet of mine." Then Heraclius told Abu Sufyan, “I knew he was about to appear, but I did not know he would be from you. If I were able to reach him, I would not mind the hardship (of travel) so that I could meet him, and if I were by him, I would wash his feet" (Bukhari) - this was the way in which Prophet Jesus was honored by his disciples. 





The Letter of Invitation to Chosroes of Persia


Chosroes had heard about the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and had, before the letter reached him, sent word to Badhan, his governor in Yemen, requesting a report about the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) together with his circumstances. Badhan wasted no time in dispatching two of his most reliable envoys to Medina to investigate the matter.





Upon their arrival they sought an audience with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and were intrigued by the devotion and readiness of his followers to obey him which in turn prompted them to pay close attention to his teachings. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) first saw them he was surprised by their appearance, for they followed the style of Chosroes and had shaved their beards and sported large mustaches. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked them who had told them to do this, whereupon they told him, referring to their ruler, "My lord." The Prophet (salla 








Allahu alihi wa sallam) answered saying, "My Lord has commanded me to grow my beard and trim my mustache short." The initial meeting was brief and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) requested them to return the next day.





That night, Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informing him that Chosroes had been overthrown and killed in an uprising and that his son, Siroes, was now the ruler. When the two envoys returned the next day, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informed them of what had happened in Persia and told them to return to Badhan with a message saying, "Tell him that my religion and nation will extend far beyond that of Chosroes, and that I invite him to embrace Islam. Whatever he has now he will retain, and I will appoint him as King, ruler of its people."





The bewildered envoys took their leave and returned to home, conveyed the message then spoke to Badhan about Islam. Badhan informed his envoys he would wait and see if the situation in Persia had changed and if it was as they narrated, then indeed he would believe that Muhammad was a Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent by Allah. Badhan didn't have to wait long until a messenger arrived from Persia, saying that Siroes was their new ruler and as such required their allegiance.





Without hesitation, Badhan, rather than giving his allegiance to Siroes, embraced Islam along with his two envoys and several others. Badhan then sent messengers to Medina and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told his Companions that Badhan was the new ruler of Yemen.





The letter the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent to Chosroes, the father of Siroes, arrived in Madian after his death and so it was given to his son, who after reading it, tore it in shreds. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) learned of response he supplicated, "O Lord, tear his kingdom from him" and the supplication of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) came to be.





The Muqawqas, Primate of the Christian, Coptic Church in Egypt


A similar letter was given to Hatib, Abi Balta’as son to deliver to the Muqawqas, Primate of the Christian Coptic Church in Egypt. 


The letter read:


In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful


From Muhammad, the Worshipper of Allah and His Messenger


To Muqawqas, the greatest of Christian Coptics


Peace be upon those who follow guidance. I invite you with the invitation to Islam to become a Muslim and be saved, and Allah will give you a double reward. If you turn away the sin of the people of the Coptic Christians will be upon you.





Then the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) quoted a verse from the Koran:


“Say, 'People of the Book,


let us come to a common word between us and you 


that we will worship none except Allah,


that we will associate none with Him, 


and that none of us take others for lords besides Allah.'


If they turn away, say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.' (3:64)


  








Upon Hatib’s arrival in Alexandria he requested an audience with the Muqawqas. Hatib delivered the invitation and said, “Before your time there was someone who unlawfully claimed the status of the Creator, so Allah punished him and made him an example in this life and in the Hereafter, be advised and do not be a bad role model to others.”





The Muqawqas replied, “We are in no position to relinquish our religion except for one which is better.” Hatib continued, “We invite you to embrace Islam and Allah will suffice you from others. Our Prophet has called people to believe in the Oneness of Allah, they, the Koraysh and Jews rejected him and were his bitter enemies whilst the Christians are the nearest in affection to the Muslims. Indeed Moses’ news about Jesus is identical to Jesus’ glad tidings about the coming of Muhammad in the same way you extend your invitation to the people of the Torah to accept the Gospel. When a Prophet is sent to a nation, the response should be that of acceptance as we are all subject to the same Divine Law. We have not come to dissuade you from the religion of Jesus, rather to bid you to adhere to its belief.”





The Muqawqas mulled over the letter with great thought and said, “I found that this Prophet bids only good, and forbids the dishonorable, and that he is neither a straying magician nor a lying soothsayer. He bears the true characteristics of the Prophethood, and so I will look into it." Whereupon he took the parchment and ordered that it be kept in an ivory casket and called a scribe to write the following reply in Arabic:





In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful.





To: Muhammad son of Abdullah 


From: The Muqawqas, the greatest of Coptic Christians





Peace be upon you. I have read your letter and understood its contents, and that to which you are calling. I already knew that the coming of a Prophet was imminent, but I was of the belief that he would emerge from Ash-Sham (Old greater Syria). I have been honorable to your messenger and I am sending you as a gift two maidens, who have a great status within the Christian Coptic society, some clothing and a mule for riding on. Peace be upon you."





The Muqawqas did not add more to the letter nor did not become a Muslim, but the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, graciously accepted his gifts. 





The Letter to Mundhir, the Son of Sawa, Governor of Bahrain


When Mundhir received the letter from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) he responded positively and replied that some of his nation had embraced Islam whereas others remained in their religion of birth choosing instead to pay the poll-tax





The Letter to Hautha, Ali’s Son, Governor of Yamamah.


Hautha was a proud man and when he received the letter from the Prophet he said arrogantly, “If he (the Prophet) confers upon me a governing position among the Muslims I will embrace Islam otherwise I decline.”














The Letter to Harith Abi Shaamir Al Ghassani, King of Damascus


When Harith received the letter from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) he was walking in his garden and became outraged, threw it away and rejected outright the invitation saying, “I am going to march against him” – and was absolutely determined to do so. 





The letter read:





In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful.





From: Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah


To: Al-Harith bin Abi Shaamir.





Peace be upon he who follows true guidance, believes in Allah and becomes truthful. I invite you to believe in Allah alone with no associate, and your kingdom will remain yours.





Damascus was a self governing entity under the protectorate of Rome so Harith sent his messenger, Shuja son of Wahb Al-Asdi to Heraclius, the Emperor of Rome asking his permission to wage war against the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and also requesting his support. Heraclius rejected Harith’s message and prevented him from his intention by ordering him not to take up arms. 





The Letter to the King of Oman, Jaifer and his Brother Abd Al Jihalandi


The Prophet’s letter to Jaifer, King of Oman and his brother Abd Al Jihalandi was delivered by Amr, Al-As’s son who was questioned at length about his own conversion. After several days of deliberation both Jaifer and Abd Al Jihalandi embraced Islam and became stalwart followers of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam).
























































The Prophets Letter Inviting Rulers to Islam


058





Back Cover


Subtitles


The Invitation to Heraclius, Caesar, Emperor of Rome


Abu Sufyan’s Audience with Heraclius


The Letter of Invitation to Chosroes of Persia


The Muqawqas, Primate of the Christian, Coptic Church in Egypt


The Letter to Mundhir, the Son of Sawa, Governor of Bahrain


The Letter to Hautha, Ali’s Son, Governor of Yamamah.


The Letter to Harith Abi Shaamir Al Ghassani, King of Damascus


The Letter to the King of Oman, Jaifer and his Brother Abd Al Jihalandi