Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 39390 — Reports on the letters of the Prophet

Mujalid said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) wrote a letter to my grandfather, and this blessed letter of his (peace and blessings be upon him) is with us: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This letter is from Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Umayr Dhu Murran and to the Muslims of Hamdan. Peace be upon you. I praise before you Allah, besides whom there is no god. To proceed: News of your Islam reached us on our return from the land of Rome. So rejoice, for Allah Almighty has guided you with His guidance. When you have borne witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), established the prayer and paid the zakah, then for you there is the protection of Allah Almighty and of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) over your wealth and blood, and the land of al-Bawn on which you accepted Islam, its level ground, its mountains, its springs and its pastures, are yours. You will not be wronged and you will not be put under hardship. Indeed, charity is not lawful for Muhammad and the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is only zakah by which you purify your wealth, by giving it to the poor Muslims. Malik bin Mirarah al-Rahawi has guarded (your interests) in your absence and passed on the news. O Dhu Murran, I command you to treat him well, for he is held in high regard. And this letter was written by Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Abi Talib. Peace be upon you, and may your Lord send peace upon you."