مسند احمد
Musnad Ahmad
ومن مسند بني هاشمFrom the Musnad of Banu Hashim
مُسْنَدُ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ بْنِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَاMusnad of Abdullah ibn al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with them)
Hadith 2370
اُردوEn
(حديث مرفوع) حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَخِي ابْنِ شِهَابٍ ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ ، قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ، أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ أَخْبَرَهُ ، أَنّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَتَبَ إِلَى قَيْصَرَ يَدْعُوهُ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ ، وَبَعَثَ كِتَابَهُ مَعَ دِحْيَةَ الْكَلْبِيِّ ، وَأَمَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى ، لِيَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى قَيْصَرَ ، فَدَفَعَهُ عَظِيمُ بُصْرَى إلى قيصر ، وَكَانَ قَيْصَرُ لَمَّا كَشَفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَنْهُ جُنُودَ فَارِسَ ، مَشَى مِنْ حِمْصَ إِلَى إِيلْيَاءَ عَلَى الزَّرَابِيِّ تُبْسَطُ لَهُ ، فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ : فَلَمَّا جَاءَ قَيْصَرَ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ حِينَ قَرَأَهُ : الْتَمِسُوا لِي مِنْ قَوْمِهِ مَنْ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ : فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سُفْيَانَ بْنُ حَرْبٍ أَنَّهُ كَانَ بِالشَّامِ فِي رِجَالٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ قَدِمُوا تُجَّارًا ، وَذَلِكَ فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ بَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَبَيْنَ كُفَّارِ قُرَيْشٍ ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : فَأَتَانِي رَسُولُ قَيْصَرَ ، فَانْطَلَقَ بِي وَبِأَصْحَابِي ، حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا إِيلْيَاءَ ، فَأُدْخِلْنَا عَلَيْهِ ، فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي مَجْلِسِ مُلْكِهِ ، عَلَيْهِ التَّاجُ ، وَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ عُظَمَاءُ الرُّومِ ، فَقَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ : سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا بِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ ؟ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ نَسَبًا , قَالَ : مَا قَرَابَتُكَ مِنْه ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : هُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّي , قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : وَلَيْسَ فِي الرَّكْبِ يَوْمَئِذٍ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ غَيْرِي ، قَالَ : فَقَالَ قَيْصَرُ : أَدْنُوهُ مِنِّي , ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِأَصْحَابِي ، فَجُعِلُوا خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي عِنْدَ كَتِفِي ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ : قُلْ لِأَصْحَابِهِ : إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا عَنِ الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ ، فَإِنْ كَذَبَ ، فَكَذِّبُوهُ , قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : فَوَاللَّهِ لَوْلَا الِاسْتِحْيَاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَنْ يَأْثُرَ أَصْحَابِي عَنِّي الْكَذِبَ لَكَذَبْتُهُ حِينَ سَأَلَنِي ، وَلَكِنِّي اسْتَحَيْتُ أَنْ يأْثَرواَ عَنِّي الْكَذِبُ ، فَصَدَقْتُهُ عَنْهُ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ : قُلْ لَهُ : كَيْفَ نَسَبُ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فِيكُمْ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ ، قَالَ : فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ قَطُّ قَبْلَهُ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : لَا , قَالَ : فَهَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ فِي الْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ ؟ قَالَ : فَقُلْتُ : لَا , قَالَ : فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : لَا , قَالَ : فَأَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ , قَالَ : فَيَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ , قَالَ : فَهَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : لَا , قَالَ : فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : لَا , وَنَحْنُ الْآنَ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّة ، وَنَحْنُ نَخَافُ ذَلِكَ , قَالَ : قال أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : وَلَمْ تُمْكِنِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا أَنْتَقِصُهُ بِهِ غَيْرُهَا ، لا أَخَافُ أَنْ يُؤْثَرَ عَنِّي ، قَالَ : فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ أَوْ قَاتَلَكُمْ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : نَعَم , قَال : كَيْفَ كَانَتْ حَرْبُكُمْ وَحَرْبُهُ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : كَانَتْ دُوَلًا سِجَالًا نُدَالُ عَلَيْهِ الْمَرَّةَ ، وَيُدَالُ عَلَيْنَا الْأُخْرَى , قَالَ : فَبِمَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ ، قَالَ : قُلْتُ : يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا ، وَيَنْهَانَا عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا ، وَيَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ ، وَالصِّدْقِ ، وَالْعَفَافِ ، وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ ، وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ , قَالَ : فَقَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ حِينَ قُلْتُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ : قُلْ لَهُ : إِنِّي سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ فِيكُمْ ، فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ فِيكُمْ ذُو نَسَبٍ ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي نَسَبِ قَوْمِهَا , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَطُّ قَبْلَهُ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا ، فَقُلْتُ : لَوْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ ، قُلْتُ : رَجُلٌ يَأْتَمُّ بِقَوْلٍ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا ، فَقَدْ أَعْرِفُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَذَرَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ، وَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا ، فَقُلْتُ : لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ ، قُلْتُ : رَجُلٌ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمْ اتَّبَعُوهُ ، وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ يَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ ، وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا ، وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ حِينَ يُخَالِطُ بَشَاشَةَ الْقُلُوبِ لَا يَسْخَطُهُ أَحَدٌ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ يَغْدِرُ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : هَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ وَقَاتَلَكُمْ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ قَدْ فَعَلَ ، وَأَنَّ حَرْبَكُمْ وَحَرْبَهُ يَكُونُ دُوَلًا ، يُدَالُ عَلَيْكُمْ الْمَرَّةَ ، وَتُدَالُونَ عَلَيْهِ الْأُخْرَى ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْتَلَى ، وَيَكُونُ لَهَا الْعَاقِبَةُ , وَسَأَلْتُكَ : بِمَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ، وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ ، وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصِّدْقِ ، وَالصَّلَاةِ ، وَالْعَفَافِ ، وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ ، وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ ، وَهَذِهِ صِفَةُ نَبِيٍّ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ ، وَلَكِنْ لَمْ أَظُنَّ أَنَّهُ مِنْكُمْ , فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مَا قُلْتَ فِيهِ حَقًّا ، فَيُوشِكُ أَنْ يَمْلِكَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَيَّ هَاتَيْنِ ، وَاللَّهِ لَوْ أَرْجُو أَنْ أَخْلُصَ إِلَيْه ، لَتَجَشَّمْتُ لُقِيَّهُ ، وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ ، لَغَسَلْتُ عَنْ قَدَمَيْهِ , قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَأَمَرَ بِهِ ، فَقُرِئَ ، فَإِذَا فِيهِ : " بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ، مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ ، سَلَامٌ عَلَى مَنْ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى ، أَمَّا بَعْدُ ، فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ , أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ ، وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ ، فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَعَلَيْكَ إِثْمُ الْأَرِيسِيِّينَ يَعْنِي : الْأَكَّارَةَ , وَ يَأَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلا اللَّهَ وَلا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ سورة آل عمران آية 64 " , قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : فَلَمَّا قَضَى مَقَالَتَهُ ، عَلَتْ أَصْوَاتُ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ عُظَمَاءِ الرُّومِ ، وَكَثُرَ لَغَطُهُمْ ، فَلَا أَدْرِي مَاذَا قَالُوا ، وَأَمَرَ بِنَا فَأُخْرِجْنَا ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : فَلَمَّا خَرَجْتُ مَعَ أَصْحَابِي وَخَلَصْتُ لَهُمْ ، قُلْتُ لَهُمْ : أَمِرَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ ، هَذَا مَلِكُ بَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ يَخَافُهُ ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ : فَوَاللَّهِ مَا زِلْتُ ذَلِيلًا مُسْتَيْقِنًا أَنَّ أَمْرَهُ سَيَظْهَرُ ، حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ قَلْبِي الْإِسْلَامَ ، وَأَنَا كَارِهٌ .
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wrote a letter to Caesar, the ruler of Rome, inviting him to Islam. He sent this letter with Sayyiduna Dihyah Kalbi (may Allah be pleased with him), instructing him to deliver it to the governor of Busra so that he could forward it to Caesar. Accordingly, the governor of Busra delivered the letter to Caesar. Since Allah Almighty had granted Caesar victory over the Persian armies, he had, in gratitude, traveled on foot from Homs to Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). Carpets were laid out for him along the entire route during this journey.
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that when Caesar received the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) letter, he read it and said, “Find me a man from his people so that I may ask him some questions.” Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan ibn Harb (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated to me that Heraclius (the king of Rome) sent a man to him while he was among a group of Quraysh horsemen who had come to Syria as traders. This incident occurred at a time when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had made a limited truce with Abu Sufyan and the disbelievers of Quraysh.
So the Quraysh came to Heraclius, and they were in Aelia (Jerusalem) at that time. Heraclius summoned them to his court, surrounded by the Roman dignitaries. He called all the Quraysh closer to him and summoned his interpreter. Addressing the Quraysh, he asked, “Who among you is the closest in lineage to the man who claims to be a prophet?” Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I am the closest in lineage among them.” Upon hearing this, Heraclius said, “Bring Abu Sufyan closer to me and keep his companions near him, standing behind him.” Then he said to his interpreter, “Tell these people that I will ask Abu Sufyan about this man (who claims to be a prophet). If he lies to me, you should immediately refute him.”
(Abu Sufyan says:) By Allah! If I had not been ashamed that people would accuse me of lying, I would have certainly fabricated things about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The first thing Heraclius asked me was, “How is his lineage among you?” I replied, “He is of noble lineage among us.” Then Heraclius asked, “Has anyone among you ever made such a claim (of prophethood) before him?” I said, “No.” Heraclius asked, “Was there any king among his ancestors?” I said, “No.” Heraclius asked, “Have the influential people followed him or the weak?” I said, “Rather, the weak have followed him.” Heraclius asked, “Are his followers increasing or decreasing?” I said, “They are increasing.” Heraclius asked, “Does anyone, after embracing his religion, become displeased with it and leave it?” I said, “No.” Heraclius asked, “Does he ever break his promises?” I said, “No, and we are currently in a truce with him. We do not know what he will do during this period.” (Abu Sufyan says:) Other than this statement, I could not find any opportunity to insert anything against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Heraclius asked, “Have you ever fought him?” I said, “Yes.” He asked, “How did your battles with him go?” I said, “The fighting between us and him is like a seesaw; sometimes he prevails over us, and sometimes we prevail over him.” Heraclius asked, “What does he command you to do?” I said, “He tells us to worship Allah alone and not to associate anything with Him, and to abandon what our forefathers used to worship. He commands us to pray, to speak the truth, to be pious, and to maintain family ties.”
After this, Heraclius said to his interpreter, “Tell Abu Sufyan: I asked you about his lineage, and you said he is of noble lineage among you. Indeed, all the prophets are sent from the noblest lineage of their people. I asked you if anyone among you had made such a claim before him, and you said no. If you had said yes, I would have thought that he was imitating what had been said before him. I asked you if any of his ancestors was a king, and you said no. If you had said yes, I would have thought that he was a man seeking to reclaim his ancestral kingdom. I asked you if you ever accused him of lying before he made this claim, and you said no. I know that a person who does not lie to people would not lie about Allah. I asked you whether the influential or the weak followed him, and you said the weak. Indeed, they are the followers of the prophets. I asked you whether his followers are increasing or decreasing, and you said increasing. This is the nature of faith until it reaches its perfection. I asked you if anyone, after embracing his religion, becomes displeased and leaves it, and you said no. This is how faith is when its delight enters the hearts. I asked you if he ever breaks his promises, and you said no. Likewise, the prophets never break their promises. I asked you what he commands you to do, and you said he commands you to worship Allah alone, not to associate anything with Him, forbids you from worshipping idols, and commands you to pray, speak the truth, and be pious. If what you say is true, then soon he will own the very place beneath my feet. I knew from the previous scriptures that he was going to appear, but I did not think he would be from among you. If I knew I could reach him, I would go to great lengths to meet him, and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.”
Then Heraclius called for the (blessed) letter of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and had it read. In it was written: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. From Allah’s servant and His Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), to the ruler of Rome. Peace be upon him who follows guidance. After this, I invite you to Islam. Accept Islam and you will be safe, and Allah will grant you your reward twice over. But if you turn away, then upon you will be the sin of your subjects. And: ‘O People of the Book! Come to a word that is just between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate nothing with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. But if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (submitting to Allah).’”
Abu Sufyan says: When Heraclius had finished saying what he wanted and finished reading the letter, there was a great commotion, voices were raised, and we were expelled from there. I said to my companions, when we were turned out, “Look! The matter of the son of Abu Kabshah (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) has become so great that even the king of the Romans fears him.” I always remained certain that he would soon prevail, until Allah compelled me to accept Islam.
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that when Caesar received the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) letter, he read it and said, “Find me a man from his people so that I may ask him some questions.” Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan ibn Harb (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated to me that Heraclius (the king of Rome) sent a man to him while he was among a group of Quraysh horsemen who had come to Syria as traders. This incident occurred at a time when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had made a limited truce with Abu Sufyan and the disbelievers of Quraysh.
So the Quraysh came to Heraclius, and they were in Aelia (Jerusalem) at that time. Heraclius summoned them to his court, surrounded by the Roman dignitaries. He called all the Quraysh closer to him and summoned his interpreter. Addressing the Quraysh, he asked, “Who among you is the closest in lineage to the man who claims to be a prophet?” Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I am the closest in lineage among them.” Upon hearing this, Heraclius said, “Bring Abu Sufyan closer to me and keep his companions near him, standing behind him.” Then he said to his interpreter, “Tell these people that I will ask Abu Sufyan about this man (who claims to be a prophet). If he lies to me, you should immediately refute him.”
(Abu Sufyan says:) By Allah! If I had not been ashamed that people would accuse me of lying, I would have certainly fabricated things about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The first thing Heraclius asked me was, “How is his lineage among you?” I replied, “He is of noble lineage among us.” Then Heraclius asked, “Has anyone among you ever made such a claim (of prophethood) before him?” I said, “No.” Heraclius asked, “Was there any king among his ancestors?” I said, “No.” Heraclius asked, “Have the influential people followed him or the weak?” I said, “Rather, the weak have followed him.” Heraclius asked, “Are his followers increasing or decreasing?” I said, “They are increasing.” Heraclius asked, “Does anyone, after embracing his religion, become displeased with it and leave it?” I said, “No.” Heraclius asked, “Does he ever break his promises?” I said, “No, and we are currently in a truce with him. We do not know what he will do during this period.” (Abu Sufyan says:) Other than this statement, I could not find any opportunity to insert anything against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Heraclius asked, “Have you ever fought him?” I said, “Yes.” He asked, “How did your battles with him go?” I said, “The fighting between us and him is like a seesaw; sometimes he prevails over us, and sometimes we prevail over him.” Heraclius asked, “What does he command you to do?” I said, “He tells us to worship Allah alone and not to associate anything with Him, and to abandon what our forefathers used to worship. He commands us to pray, to speak the truth, to be pious, and to maintain family ties.”
After this, Heraclius said to his interpreter, “Tell Abu Sufyan: I asked you about his lineage, and you said he is of noble lineage among you. Indeed, all the prophets are sent from the noblest lineage of their people. I asked you if anyone among you had made such a claim before him, and you said no. If you had said yes, I would have thought that he was imitating what had been said before him. I asked you if any of his ancestors was a king, and you said no. If you had said yes, I would have thought that he was a man seeking to reclaim his ancestral kingdom. I asked you if you ever accused him of lying before he made this claim, and you said no. I know that a person who does not lie to people would not lie about Allah. I asked you whether the influential or the weak followed him, and you said the weak. Indeed, they are the followers of the prophets. I asked you whether his followers are increasing or decreasing, and you said increasing. This is the nature of faith until it reaches its perfection. I asked you if anyone, after embracing his religion, becomes displeased and leaves it, and you said no. This is how faith is when its delight enters the hearts. I asked you if he ever breaks his promises, and you said no. Likewise, the prophets never break their promises. I asked you what he commands you to do, and you said he commands you to worship Allah alone, not to associate anything with Him, forbids you from worshipping idols, and commands you to pray, speak the truth, and be pious. If what you say is true, then soon he will own the very place beneath my feet. I knew from the previous scriptures that he was going to appear, but I did not think he would be from among you. If I knew I could reach him, I would go to great lengths to meet him, and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.”
Then Heraclius called for the (blessed) letter of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and had it read. In it was written: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. From Allah’s servant and His Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), to the ruler of Rome. Peace be upon him who follows guidance. After this, I invite you to Islam. Accept Islam and you will be safe, and Allah will grant you your reward twice over. But if you turn away, then upon you will be the sin of your subjects. And: ‘O People of the Book! Come to a word that is just between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate nothing with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. But if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (submitting to Allah).’”
Abu Sufyan says: When Heraclius had finished saying what he wanted and finished reading the letter, there was a great commotion, voices were raised, and we were expelled from there. I said to my companions, when we were turned out, “Look! The matter of the son of Abu Kabshah (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) has become so great that even the king of the Romans fears him.” I always remained certain that he would soon prevail, until Allah compelled me to accept Islam.
