[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Verily, Abu Sufyan is near to you, so beware of him." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, "Accept Islam, O Abu Sufyan." He said, "O Messenger of Allah, protect my people, protect my people." He said, "Indeed, whoever closes his door is safe." He said, "Allow me something." He said, "Whoever enters your home is safe."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «إِنَّ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ قَرِيبٌ مِنْكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُ» فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَسْلِمْ يَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ» قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَوْمِي قَوْمِي قَالَ «فَإِنَّ قَوْمَكَ مَنْ أَغْلَقَ بَابَهُ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ» قَالَ اجْعَلْ لِي شَيْئًا قَالَ «مَنْ دَخَلَ دَارَكَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ»  

Abu Sufyan narrated to me personally, saying, "I set out during the Truce that had been concluded between me and Messenger of Allah ﷺ. While I was in Sham, a letter sent by the Prophet ﷺ was brought to Heraclius. Dihya Al-Kalbi had brought and given it to the governor of Busra, and the latter forwarded it to Heraclius. Heraclius said, 'Is there anyone from the people of this man who claims to be a prophet?' The people replied, 'Yes.' So I along with some of Quraishi men were called and we entered upon Heraclius, and we were seated in front of him. Then he said, 'Who amongst you is the nearest relative to the man who claims to be a prophet?' So they made me sit in front of him and made my companions sit behind me. Then he called upon his translator and said (to him). 'Tell them ( i.e. Abu Sufyan's companions) that I am going to ask him (i.e. Abu Sufyan) regarding that man who claims to be a prophet. So, if he tell me a lie, they should contradict him (instantly).' By Allah, had I not been afraid that my companions would consider me a liar, I would have told lies. Heraclius then said to his translator, 'Ask him: What is his (i.e. the Prophet's) family status amongst you? I said, 'He belongs to a noble family amongst us." Heraclius said, 'Was any of his ancestors a king?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Did you ever accuse him of telling lies before his saying what he has said?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Do the nobles follow him or the poor people?' I said, 'It is the poor who followed him.' He said, 'Is the number of his follower increasing or decreasing?' I said, 'The are increasing.' He said, 'Does anyone renounce his religion (i.e. Islam) after embracing it, being displeased with it?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Did you fight with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' He said, 'How was your fighting with him?' I said, 'The fighting between us was undecided and victory was shared by him and us by turns. He inflicts casualties upon us and we inflict casualties upon him.' He said, 'Did he ever betray?' I said, 'No, but now we are away from him in this truce and we do not know what he will do in it" Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah, I was not able to insert in my speech a word (against him) except that. Heraclius said, 'Did anybody else (amongst you) ever claimed the same (i.e. Islam) before him? I said, 'No.' Then Heraclius told his translator to tell me (i.e. Abu Sufyan), 'I asked you about his family status amongst you, and you told me that he comes from a noble family amongst you Verily, all Apostles come from the noblest family among their people. Then I asked you whether any of his ancestors was a king, and you denied that. Thereupon I thought that had one of his fore-fathers been a king, I would have said that he (i.e. Muhammad) was seeking to rule the kingdom of his fore-fathers. Then I asked you regarding his followers, whether they were the noble or the poor among the people, and you said that they were only the poor (who follow him). In fact, such are the followers of the Apostles. Then I asked you whether you have ever accused him of telling lies before saying what he said, and your reply was in the negative. Therefore, I took for granted that a man who did not tell a lie about others, could ever tell a lie about Allah. Then I asked you whether anyone of his followers had renounced his religion (i.e. Islam) after embracing it, being displeased with it, and you denied that. And such is Faith when it mixes with the cheerfulness of the hearts. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You claimed that they were increasing. That is the way of true faith till it is complete. Then I asked you whether you had ever fought with him, and you claimed that you had fought with him and the battle between you and him was undecided and the victory was shared by you and him in turns; he inflicted casual ties upon you and you inflicted casualties upon them. Such is the case with the Apostles; they are out to test and the final victory is for them. Then I asked you whether he had ever betrayed; you claimed that he had never betrayed. I need, Apostles never betray. Then I asked you whether anyone had said this statement before him; and you denied that. Thereupon I thought if somebody had said that statement before him, then I would have said that he was but a man copying some sayings said before him." Abu Safyan said, "Heraclius then asked me, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He orders us (to offer) prayers and (to pay) Zakat and to keep good relationship with the Kith and kin and to be chaste.' Then Heraclius said, 'If whatever you have said, is true, he is really a prophet, and I knew that he ( i.e. the Prophet ﷺ ) was going to appear, but I never thought that he would be from amongst you. If I were certain that I can reach him, I would like to meet him and if I were with him, I would wash his feet; and his kingdom will expand (surely to what is under my feet.' Then Heraclius asked for the letter of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and read it wherein was written: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. This letter is) from Muhammad, Apostle of Allah, to Heraclius, the sovereign of Byzantine........ Peace be upon him who follows the Right Path. Now then, I call you to embrace Islam. Embrace Islam and you will be saved (from Allah's Punishment); embrace Islam, and Allah will give you a double reward, but if you reject this, you will be responsible for the sins of the tillers (i.e. the people of your kingdom) and (Allah's Statement):--"O the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship None but Allah....bear witness that we are Muslims.' (3.64) When he finished reading the letter, voices grew louder near him and there was a great hue and cry, and we were ordered to go out." Abu Sufyan added, "While coming out, I said to my companions, 'The situation of Ibn Abu Kabsha (i.e. Muhammad) has become strong; even the king of Banu Al14 Asfar is afraid of him.' So I continued to believe that Messenger of Allah ﷺ would be victorious, till Allah made me embrace Islam." Az-Zuhri said, "Heraclius then invited all the chiefs of the Byzantines and had them assembled in his house and said, 'O group of Byzantines! Do you wish to have a permanent success and guidance and that your kingdom should remain with you?' (Immediately after hearing that), they rushed towards the gate like onagers, but they found them closed. Heraclius then said, 'Bring them back to me.' So he called them and said, 'I just wanted to test the strength of your adherence to your religion. Now I have observed of you that which I like.' Then the people fell in prostration before him and became pleased with him." (See Hadith No. 6,Vol 1) (Using translation from Bukhārī 4553)  

انْطَلَقْتُ فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا بِالشَّامِ إِذْ جِيءَ بِكِتَابٍ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ قَالَ وَكَانَ دِحْيَةُ الْكَلْبِيُّ جَاءَ بِهِ فَدَفَعَهُ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى فَدَفَعَهُ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ فَقَالَ هِرَقْلُ هَهُنَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ قَوْمِ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ؟ قَالُوا نَعَمْ قَالَ فَدُعِيتُ فِي نَفَرٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَى هِرَقْلَ فَأَجْلَسَنَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا مِنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ؟ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ قُلْتُ أَنَا فَأَجْلَسُونِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَجْلَسُوا أَصْحَابِي خَلْفِي ثُمَّ دَعَا بِتَرْجُمَانِهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهُمْ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ عَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ فَإِنْ كَذَبَنِي فَكَذِّبُوهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَايْمُ اللهِ لَوْلَا أَنْ يُؤْثَرَ عَلَيَّ الْكَذِبُ لَكَذَبْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ سَلْهُ كَيْفَ حَسَبُهُ فِيكُمْ؟ قَالَ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو حَسَبٍ قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ مَنْ يَتْبَعُهُ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ فَقَالَ أَيَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ فَقُلْتُ لَا بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ سَخْطًا لَهُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ؟ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ قِتَالُكُمْ إِيَّاهُ؟ قُلْتُ يَكُونُ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ سِجَالًا يُصِيبُ مِنَّا وَنُصِيبُ مِنْهُ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا وَنَحْنُ مِنْهُ فِي هُدْنَةٍ لَا نَدْرِي مَا هُوَ صَانِعٌ فِيهَا قَالَ فَوَاللهِ مَا أَمْكَنَنِي مِنْ كَلِمَةٍ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا غَيْرُ هَذِهِ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ حَسَبِهِ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ فِيكُمْ ذُو حَسَبٍ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي أَحْسَابِ قَوْمِهَا وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ أَتْبَاعِهِ أَضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ أَمْ أَشْرَافُهُمْ؟ فَقُلْتَ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ أَنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَدَعَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ثُمَّ يَذْهَبَ فَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ سَخْطًا لَهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ إِذَا خَالَطَ بَشَاشَةَ الْقُلُوبِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّكُمْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ فَيكُونُ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُ سِجَالًا يَنَالُ مِنْكُمْ وَتَنَالُونَ مِنْهُ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْتَلَى ثُمَّ تَكُونُ لَهُمُ الْعَاقِبَةُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَغْدِرُ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ لَا تَغْدِرُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ ائْتَمَّ بِقَوْلٍ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَبِمَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ يَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّلَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ قَالَ فإِنْ يَكُ مَا تَقُولُ فِيهِ حَقًّا إِنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ وَلَمْ أَكُنْ أَظُنُّهُ مِنْكُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أَخْلُصُ لَأَحْبَبْتُ لِقَاءَهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ لَغَسَلْتُ عَنْ قَدَمَيْهِ وَلَيَبْلُغَنَّ مُلْكُهُ مَا تَحْتَ قَدَمَيَّ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَرَأَهُ فَإِذَا فِيهِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ سَلَامٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَإِنْ تَرَكْتَ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ إِثْمَ الْأَرِيسِيِّينَ وَ {يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ} فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَةِ الْكِتَابِ ارْتَفَعَتِ الْأَصْوَاتُ عِنْدَهُ وَكَثُرَ اللَّغَطُ وَأُمِرَ بِنَا فَأُخْرِجْنَا فَقُلْتُ لِأَصْحَابِي حِينَ خَرَجْنَا لَقَدْ أَمِرَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ إِنَّهُ لَيَخَافُهُ مَلِكُ بَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ فَمَا زِلْتُ مُوقِنًا بِأَمْرِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنَّهُ سَيَظْهَرُ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللهُ عَلَيَّ الْإِسْلَامَ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَدَعَا هِرَقْلُ عُظَمَاءَ الرُّومِ فَجَمَعَهُمْ فِي دَارٍ لَهُ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الرُّومِ هَلْ لَكُمْ فِي الْفَلَاحِ وَالرَّشَدِ آخِرَ الْأَبَدِ؟ وَأَنْ يَثْبُتَ لَكُمْ مُلْكُكُمْ؟ قَالَ فَحَاصُوا حَيْصَةَ حُمُرِ الْوَحْشِ إِلَى الْأَبْوَابِ فَوَجَدُوهَا قَدْ غُلِّقَتْ فَدَعَا بِهِمْ إِنِّي إِنَّمَا اخْتَبَرْتُ شِدَّتَكُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْكُمِ الَّذِي أَحْبَبْتُ فَسَجَدُوا لَهُ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ  

Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Messenger of Allah ﷺ had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question said to them, "Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group)." Heraclius said, "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was: 'What is his family status amongst you?' I replied, 'He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.' Heraclius further asked, 'Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius asked, 'Do the nobles or the poor follow him?' I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.' He said, 'Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?' I replied, 'They are increasing.' He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?' I replied, 'No. ' Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?' I replied, 'No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that. Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?' I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.' Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.' Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.' Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin of Arisiyin (tillers, farmers i.e. your people). And (Allah's Statement:) 'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64). Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet ﷺ Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it)." The sub narrator adds, "Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of llya' (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting ilya' (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, 'At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?' The people replied, 'Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews). 'Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.' While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Messenger of Allah ﷺ to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, 'Arabs also practice circumcision.' (After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the 'Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet ﷺ and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).' (On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience. (When they returned) he said, 'What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith). (Using translation from Bukhārī 7)  

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فِي رَكْبٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ وَكَانُوا تُجَّارًا بِالشَّامِ فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي مَادَّ فِيهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ وَكُفَّارَ قُرَيْشٍ فَأَتَوْهُ بِإِيلِيَاءَ فَدَعَاهُمْ فِي مَجْلِسٍ وَحَوْلَهُ عُقَلَاءُ الرُّومِ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِتَرْجُمَانِهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا بِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ؟ فَقَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ نَسَبًا فَقَالَ ادْنُ مِنِّي وَقَرَّبُوا أَصْحَابَهُ فَجْعَلُوهُمْ عِنْدَ ظَهْرِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُمْ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا عَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَإِنْ كَذَبَنِي فَكَذِّبُوهُ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَوَاللهِ لَوْلَا الْحَيَاءُ أَنْ يَأْثِرُوا عَلَيَّ الْكَذِبَ لَكَذَبْتُهُ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَوَّلُ شَيْءٍ سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ نَسَبُهُ فِيكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَأَشْرَافُهُمِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ قُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ قُلْتُ بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ فَهَلْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ يَرْتَدُّ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا وَنَحْنُ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّةٍ لَا نَدْرِي مَا هُوَ فَاعِلٌ فِيهَا قَالَ وَلَمْ يُمْكِنِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا غَيْرُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةِ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ؟ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ قِتَالُكُمْ إِيَّاهُ؟ قُلْتُ يَكُونُ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ سِجَالًا ودُوَلًا يَنَالُ مِنَّا وَنَنَالُ مِنْهُ قَالَ مَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ يَقُولُ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَاتْرُكُوا مَا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَيَأْمُرُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَبِالْعَفَافِ وَبِالصِّلَةِ فَقَالَ لِلتَّرْجُمَانِ قُلْ لَهُ سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ فِيكُمْ ذُو نَسَبٍ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي نَسَبِ قَوْمِهِمْ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ؛ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ ائْتَمَّ بِقَوْلٍ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ فِي آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ قُلْتُ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقَدْ أَعْرِفُ أَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَذَرَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَيَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ وَكَذَلِكَ أَمْرُ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ حِينَ يُخَالِطُ بَشَاشَةَ الْقُلُوبَ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ لَا يَغْدِرونَ وَسَأَلْتُكَ كَيْفَ قِتَالُكُمْ إِيَّاهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ الْحَرْبَ بَيْنَكُمْ سِجَالٌ وَدُوَلٌ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْتَلَى ثُمَّ يَكُونُ لَهُمُ الْعَاقِبَةُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ عَمَّا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِهِ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالصِّلَةِ وَإِنْ كَانَ مَا تَقُولُ حَقًّا فَيُوشِكُ أَنْ يَمْلِكَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَيَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ ولَكِنْ لَمْ أَكُنْ أَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ مِنْكُمْ وَلَوْ أَعْلَمُ أَنْ أَخْلُصَ إِلَيْهِ لَالْتَمَسْتُ لُقِيَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ لَغَسَلْتُ قَدَمَيْهِ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمِ الَّذِي بَعَثَ بِهِ دِحْيَةُ الْكَلْبِيُّ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى فَدَفَعَهُ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ فَقَرَأَهُ فَإِذَا فِيهِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ سَلَامٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ إِثْمَ الْأَرِيسِيِّينَ قَالَ اللَّيْثُ الْأَرِيسِيُّونَ الْعَشَّارُونَ وَ {يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَنْ لَا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ} قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا قَالَ مَا قَالَ وَفَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَةِ الْكِتَابِ كَثُرَ عِنْدَهُ اللَّجَبُ وَارْتَفَعَتِ الْأَصْوَاتُ وَخَرَجْنَا فَقُلْتُ لِأَصْحَابِي حِينَ خَرَجْنَا لَقَدِ ارْتَفَعَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ إِنَّهُ يَخَافُهُ مَلِكُ بَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ فَمَا زِلْتُ مُسْتَيْقِنًا أَنَّهُ سَيَظْهَرُ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللهُ عَلَيَّ الْإِسْلَامَ وَكَانَ ابْنُ النَّاظُورِ صَاحِبُ إِيلِيَّا وَهِرَقْلَ سُقُفًّا عَلَى نَصَارَى الشَّامِ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ حِينَ قَدِمَ إِيلِيَّا أَصْبَحَ يَوْمًا خَبِيثَ النَّفْسِ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ بَطَارِقَتِهِ لَقَدِ اسْتَنْكَرْنَا هَيْئَتَكَ قَالَ وَكَانَ هِرَقْلُ رَجُلًا حَزَّاءً يَنْظُرُ فِي النُّجُومِ قَالَ لَهُمْ حِينَ سَأَلُوهُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ اللَّيْلَةَ حِينَ نَظَرْتُ فِي النُّجُومِ مَلِكَ الْخِتَانِ قَدْ ظَهَرَ قَالَ فَمَنْ يَخْتَتِنُ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَمِ؟ قَالَ يَخْتَتِنُ الْيَهُودُ قَالَ فَلَا يُهِمَّنَّكَ شَأْنُهُمْ فَاكْتُبْ إِلَى مَدَائِنِ مُلْكِكَ فَلْيَقْتُلُوا مَنْ فِيهَا مِنَ الْيَهُودِ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ أَتَى هِرَقْلَ رَجُلٌ أَرْسَلَ بِهِ مَلِكُ غَسَّانَ يُخْبِرُهُ خَبَرَ ظُهُورِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ فَاذْهَبُوا فَانْظُرُوا أَمُخْتَتِنٌ هُوَ أَمْ لَا؟ فَنَظَرُوا إِلَيْهِ فَحَدَّثُوهُ أَنَّهُ مُخْتَتِنٌ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ الْعَرَبِ؟ فَأَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُمْ يَخْتَتِنُونَ فَقَالَ هِرَقْلُ هَذَا مُلْكُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ هِرَقْلُ إِلَى صَاحِبٍ لَهُ بِرُومِيَّةَ وَنَظِيرٌ لَهُ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَسَارَ هِرَقْلُ إِلَى حِمْصَ فَلَمْ يَرِمْ حِمْصَ حَتَّى جَاءَهُ كِتَابُ صَاحِبِهِ فَوَافَقَ رَأْيَ هِرَقْلَ عَلَى خُرُوجِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ فَأَذِنَ هِرَقْلُ لِلْعُظَمَاءِ مِنَ الرُّومِ فِي دَسْكَرَةٍ لَهُ بِحِمْصَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِالْأَبْوَابِ فَأُغْلِقَتْ ثُمَّ اطَّلَعَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الرُّومِ هَلْ لَكُمْ فِي الْفَلَاحِ وَالرَّشَادِ وَأَنْ يَثْبُتَ مُلْكُكُمْ؟ تَتَّبِعُونَ هَذَا النَّبِيَّ فَحَاصُوا حَيْصَةَ حُمُرِ الْوَحْشِ إِلَى الْأَبْوَابِ فَوَجَدُوهَا قَدْ أُغْلِقَتْ فَلَمَّا رَأَى هِرَقْلُ ذَلِكَ وَيَئِسَ مِنْ إِيمَانِهِمْ قَالَ رُدُّوهُمْ عَلَيَّ وَقَالَ إِنِّي قُلْتُ لَكُمْ مَقَالَتِي الَّتِي قُلْتُ لَكُمْ آنِفًا لِأَخْتَبِرَ بِهَا شِدَّتَكُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْكُمُ الَّذِي أُحِبُّ فَسَجَدُوا لَهُ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي آخِرِ حَدِيثِهِ  

[Machine] We were a people of merchants, and war had besieged us between us and the Messenger of Allah until our wealth was destroyed. When a ceasefire was made between us and the Messenger of Allah, we did not feel safe with our wealth. So I went out with a group from Quraysh, heading towards Syria, where our trade was. I arrived there during the time when Heraclius appeared. He detained those who opposed him from Persia and confiscated their cross, which they had seized from him. When Heraclius heard this news from them and learned that his cross had been saved for him, he was overjoyed and thanked Allah. When Heraclius returned to him what he had returned for him to pray in the holy house, the path was extended for him with rugs and scented with musk. When he reached Jerusalem and completed his prayer, with him were his staff and the bishops of the Romans. The Messenger of Allah’s letter arrived for him, carried by Dhihya ibn Khalifa al-Kalbi, in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Heraclius, the great leader of the Romans, peace be upon whoever follows guidance. To proceed, submit and you will be safe. Submit and Allah will give you twice your reward. But if you turn away, then the sin of the disbelievers will be upon you. Muhammad ibn Ishaq said that Ibn Shihab narrated to him that the bishops of the Christians said, "I met him (Heraclius) during the time of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan and he claimed that he knew about the affair of the Messenger of Allah and Heraclius. His intellect mentioned that when he received the Messenger of Allah's letter. he placed it between his two thighs and waist. Then he wrote to a man in Rome who used to recite from the Hebrew what he recited, mentioning his affair and describing his state. With this news that had come to him, he wrote to the companion of the Roman asking him to inform Heraclius that this was the Prophet that they had been awaiting, with no doubt about him. So they followed him and believed in him, and Heraclius ordered the bishops of the Romans to bring him the crosses of the Romans. They gathered them for him in a pillowcase, which was carried on the gates, and then he inspected them from above and appreciated them, for they feared for their own selves. They said, 'O Romans, I have gathered you for news. This man has sent me a letter inviting me to his religion, and by Allah, this is the man that we have been anticipating, and we find mention of him in our scriptures. So come, let us follow him and believe in him, and he will grant us our worldly needs as well as the hereafter.' So they prostrated before him, and he ordered the opening of the gates, so they opened for them and they left.  

كُنَّا قَوْمًا تُجَّارًا وَكَانَتِ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ قَدْ حَصَرَتْنَا حَتَّى هَلَكَتْ أَمْوَالُنَا فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ الْهُدْنَةُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ لَمْ نَأْمَنْ فِي أَمْوَالِنَا فَخَرَجْتُ فِي نَفَرٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ آخِذًا إِلَى الشَّامِ وَكَانَ فِيهِ مَتْجَرُنَا فَقَدِمْتُهَا حِينَ ظَهَرَ هِرَقْلُ عَلَى مَنْ كَانَ عَارَضَهُ مِنْ فَارِسَ فَأَخَّرَهُمْ مِنْهَا وَانْتَزَعَ لَهُ صَلِيبَهُ الْأَعْظَمَ وَقَدْ كَانُوا سَلَبُوهُ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَهُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُمْ وَبَلَغَهُ أَنَّ صَلِيبَهُ اسْتَنْقَذَ لَهُ وَكَانَتْ حِمْصُ مَنْزِلَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا عَلَى قَدَمَيْهِ مُتَشَكِّرًا لِلَّهِ حِينَ رَدَّ عَلَيْهِ مَا رَدَّ لِيُصَلِّيَ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ بُسِطَ لَهُ الطَّرِيقُ بِالْبُسُطِ وَيُلْقَى عَلَيْهَا الرَّيَاحِينُ فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى إِلَى إِيلِيَّا وَقَضَى فِيهَا صَلَاتَهُ وَمَعَهُ بَطَارِقَتُهُ وَأَسَاقِفُ الرُّومِ قَالَ وَقَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَعَ دِحْيَةَ بْنِ خَلِيفَةَ الْكَلْبِيِّ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللهِ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى أَمَا بَعْدُ فَأَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَإِنْ تَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ إِثْمَ الْأَكَّارِينَ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَحَدَّثَنِي أَسْقُفُ النَّصَارَى قَالَ أَدْرَكْتُهُ فِي زَمَانِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ زَعَمَ لِي أَنَّهُ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَمْرِ هِرَقْلَ وَعَقْلِهِ قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَعَ دِحْيَةَ أَخَذَهُ فَجَعَلَهُ بَيْنَ فَخِذَيْهِ وَخَاصِرَتِهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ بِرُومِيَّةَ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ مِنَ الْعِبْرَانِيَّةِ مَا يَقْرَأُ فَذَكَرَ لَهُ أَمْرَهُ وَيَصِفُ لَهُ شَأْنَهُ وَبِخَبَرِ مَا جَاءَ بِهِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ صَاحِبُ رُومِيَّةَ أَنَّهُ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَنْتَظِرُهُ لَا شَكَّ فِيهِ فَاتَّبَعَهُ وَصَدَّقَهُ فَأَمَرَ هِرَقْلُ بِبَطَارِقَةِ الرُّومِ فَجَمَعُوا لَهُ فِي دَسْكَرَةِ مُلْكِهِ وَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَأُسْرِجَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ بِأَبْوَابِهَا ثُمَّ اطَّلَعَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ عَلَيْةِ وَخَافَهُمْ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الرُّومِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَمَعْتُكُمْ لِخَبَرٍ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أَتَانِي كِتَابُ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ يَدْعُونِي إِلَى دِينِهِ وَأَنَّهُ وَاللهِ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَنْتَظِرُهُ وَنَجِدُ فِي كِتَابِنَا فَهَلُمَّ فَلْنَتَّبِعْهُ وَلْنُصَدِّقْهُ فَيُسَلِّمَ لَنَا دُنْيَانَا وَأُخْرَانَا فَنَخَرُوا نَخْرَةَ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ ثُمَّ ابْتَدَرُوا أَبْوَابَ الدَّسْكَرَةِ لِيَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا فَوَجَدُوهَا قَدْ أُغْلِقَتْ دُونَهُمْ فَقَالَ كُرُّوهُمْ عَلَيَّ وَخَافَهُمْ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَكُرُّوا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الرُّومِ إِنَّمَا قُلْتُ لَكُمْ هَذِهِ الْمَقَالَةَ الَّتِي قُلْتُ لَكُمْ لَأَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ صَلَابَتُكُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ لِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ الَّذِي حَدَثَ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْكُمُ الَّذِي أُسَرُّ بِهِ فَوَقَعُوا لَهُ سُجُودًا وَأَمَرَ بِأَبْوَابِ الدَّسْكَرَةِ فَفُتِحَتْ لَهُمْ فَانْطَلَقُوا  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ wrote to Caesar and invited him to Islam and sent him his letter with Dihya Al-Kalbi whom Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered to hand it over to the Governor of Busra who would forward it to Caesar. Caesar as a sign of gratitude to Allah, had walked from Hims to Ilya (i.e. Jerusalem) when Allah had granted Him victory over the Persian forces. So, when the letter of Messenger of Allah ﷺ reached Caesar, he said after reading it, 'Seek for me any one of his people! (Arabs of Quraish tribe) if present here, in order to ask him about Messenger of Allah ﷺ. At that time Abu Sufyan bin Harb was in Sham with some men from Quraish who had come (to Sham) as merchants during the truce that had been concluded between Messenger of Allah ﷺ; and the infidels of Quraish. Abu Sufyan said, Caesar's messenger found us somewhere in Sham so he took me and my companions to Ilya and we were admitted into Ceasar's court to find him sitting in his royal court wearing a crown and surrounded by the senior dignitaries of the Byzantine. He said to his translator. 'Ask them who amongst them is a close relation to the man who claims to be a prophet." Abu Sufyan added, "I replied, 'I am the nearest relative to him.' He asked, 'What degree of relationship do you have with him?' I replied, 'He is my cousin,' and there was none of Bani Abu Manaf in the caravan except myself. Caesar said, 'Let him come nearer.' He then ordered that my companions stand behind me near my shoulder and said to his translator, 'Tell his companions that I am going to ask this man about the man who claims to be a prophet. If he tells a lie, they should contradict him immediately." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had it not been shameful that my companions label me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about him when he asked me. But I considered it shameful to be called a liar by my companions. So I told the truth. He then said to his translator, 'Ask him what kind of family does he belong to.' I replied, 'He belongs to a noble family amongst us.' He said, 'Have anybody else amongst you ever claimed the same before him? 'I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Had you ever blamed him for telling lies before he claimed what he claimed? ' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?' I replied, 'No.' He said, "Do the noble or the poor follow him?' I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.' He said, 'Are they increasing or decreasing (day by day)?' I replied,' They are increasing.' He said, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his (the Prophet's) Religion become displeased and then discard his Religion?'. I replied, 'No. ' He said, 'Does he break his promises? I replied, 'No, but we are now at truce with him and we are afraid that he may betray us." Abu Sufyan added, "Other than the last sentence, I could not say anything against him. Caesar then asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' He said, 'What was the outcome of your battles with him?' I replied, 'The result was unstable; sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.' He said, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah alone, and not to worship others along with Him, and to leave all that our fore-fathers used to worship. He orders us to pray, give in charity, be chaste, keep promises and return what is entrusted to us.' When I had said that, Caesar said to his translator, 'Say to him: I ask you about his lineage and your reply was that he belonged to a noble family. In fact, all the apostles came from the noblest lineage of their nations. Then I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you had claimed such a thing, and your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following a claim that had been said before him. When I asked you whether he was ever blamed for telling lies, your reply was in the negative, so I took it for granted that a person who did not tell a lie about (others) the people could never tell a lie about Allah. Then I asked you whether any of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. When I asked you whether the rich or the poor people followed him, you replied that it was the poor who followed him. In fact, such are the followers of the apostles. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing. In fact, this is the result of true faith till it is complete (in all respects). I asked you whether there was anybody who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion; your reply was in the negative. In fact, this is the sign of true faith, for when its cheerfulness enters and mixes in the hearts completely, nobody will be displeased with it. I asked you whether he had ever broken his promise. You replied in the negative. And such are the apostles; they never break their promises. When I asked you whether you fought with him and he fought with you, you replied that he did, and that sometimes he was victorious and sometimes you. Indeed, such are the apostles; they are put to trials and the final victory is always theirs. Then I asked you what he ordered you. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah alone and not to worship others along with Him, to leave all that your fore-fathers used to worship, to offer prayers, to speak the truth, to be chaste, to keep promises, and to return what is entrusted to you. These are really the qualities of a prophet who, I knew (from the previous Scriptures) would appear, but I did not know that he would be from amongst you. If what you say should be true, he will very soon occupy the earth under my feet, and if I knew that I would reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet Him; and were I with him, then I would certainly wash his feet.' " Abu Sufyan added, "Caesar then asked for the letter of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and it was read. Its contents were: "In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad, the slave of Allah, and His Apostle, to Heraculius, the Ruler of the Byzantine. Peace be upon the followers of guidance. Now then, I invite you to Islam (i.e. surrender to Allah), embrace Islam and you will be safe; embrace Islam and Allah will bestow on you a double reward. But if you reject this invitation of Islam, you shall be responsible for misguiding the tillers (i.e. your nation). O people of the Scriptures! Come to a word common to you and us and you, that we worship. None but Allah, and that we associate nothing in worship with Him; and that none of us shall take others as Lords besides Allah. Then if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are (they who have surrendered (unto Him)..(3.64) Abu Sufyan added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech, there was a great hue and cry caused by the Byzantine Royalties surrounding him, and there was so much noise that I did not understand what they said. So, we were turned out of the court. When I went out with my companions and we were alone, I said to them, 'Verily, Ibn Abi Kabsha's (i.e. the Prophet's) affair has gained power. This is the King of Bani Al-Asfar fearing him." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah, I remained low and was sure that his religion would be victorious till Allah converted me to Islam, though I disliked it." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2940)  

أَنَّهُ كَانَ بِالشَّامِ فِي رِجَالٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ قَدِمُوا تُجَّارًا وَذَلِكَ فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ بَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَبَيْنَ كُفَّارِ قُرَيْشٍ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَأَتَى رَسُولُ قَيْصَرَ فَانْطَلَقَ بِي وَبِأَصْحَابِي حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا إِيلِيَّا فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي مَجْلِسِ مُلْكِهِ عَلَيْهِ التَّاجُ وَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ عُظَمَاءُ الرُّومِ فَقَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ؟ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ نَسَبًا قَالَ مَا قَرَابَةُ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ قُلْتُ وَابْنُ عَمِّي قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَلَيْسَ فِي الرَّكْبِ يَوْمَئِذٍ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ غَيْرِي قَالَ قَيْصَرُ ادْنُوهُ مِنِّي ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَصْحَابِي فَجَعَلُوا خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي عِنْدَ كَتِفَيَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَيْصَرُ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لِأَصْحَابِهِ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا عَنِ الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ فَإِنْ كَذَبَ فَكَذِّبُوهُ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَوْلَا الِاسْتِحْيَاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَنْ يَأْثُرَ أَصْحَابِي عَنِّي الْكَذِبَ لَكَذَبْتُهُ عَنْهُ حِينَ سَأَلَنِي وَلَكِنِّي اسْتَحْيَيْتُ أَنْ يَأْثُرُوا عَنِّي الْكَذِبَ فَصَدَقْتُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَيْصَرُ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُ كَيْفَ نَسَبُ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فِيكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ قَطُّ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ فِي الْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكًا؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَأَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ قُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ قُلْتُ بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ قُلْتُ نَحْنُ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّةٍ الْآنَ وَنَحْنُ نَخَافُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَلَمْ يُمْكِننِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا أَنْتَقِصُهُ بِهِ لَا أَخَافُ أَنْ يُؤْثَرَ عَنِّي غَيْرَهَا قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ وَقَاتَلَكُمْ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ حَرْبُهُ وَحَرْبُكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ كَانَتْ دُوَلًا وَسِجَالًا يُدَالُ عَلَيْنَا الْمَرَّةَ وَنُدَالُ عَلَيْهِ الْأُخْرَى قَالَ فَمَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِهِ؟ قُلْتُ يأمُرُنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللهَ وَحْدَهُ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَيَنْهَانَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ مَا يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا وَأَمَرَنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ حِينَ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ قُلْ لَهُ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ فِيكُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ فِيكُمْ ذُو نَسَبٍ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي شَرَفِ قَوْمِهَا وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ آبَائِهِ؟ قُلْتَ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ ائْتَمَّ بِقَوْلِ قَائِلٍ قَبْلَهُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَدَعُ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكْذِبُ عَلَى اللهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ قَبْلُ مَلِكٌ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُهُ وَكَذَلِكَ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ 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 لَا تَغْدِرُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ وَقَاتَلَكُمْ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ وَأَنَّ حَرْبَكُمْ وَحَرْبَهُ يَكُونُ دُوَلًا يُدَالُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَرَّةَ وَتُدَالُونَ عَلَيْهِ الْأُخْرَى وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ ثُمَّ تَكُونُ لَهُمُ الْعَاقِبَةُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ بِمَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَحْدَهُ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَهُوَ نَبِيٌّ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ وَلَكِنْ لَمْ أَكُنْ أَظُنُّهُ مِنْكُمْ وَإِنْ يَكُ مَا قُلْتُ حَقًّا يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَمْلِكَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَيَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَاللهِ لَوْ أَرْجُو أَنْ أَخْلُصَ إِلَيْهِ لَتَجَشَّمْتُ لُقِيَّهُ وَلَغَسَلْتُ قَدَمَيْهِ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَدَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَمَرَ بِهِ فَقُرِئَ فَإِذَا فِيهِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ سَلَامٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدُعَاءِ الْإِسْلَامِ أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ إِثْمَ الْأَرِيسِيِّينَ وَ {يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللهُ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ} قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى مَقَالَتَهُ عَلَتْ أَصْوَاتُ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ عُظَمَاءِ الرُّومِ وَكَثُرَ لَغَطُهُمْ فَلَا أَدْرِي مَاذَا يَقُولُونَ قَالَ فَأَمَرَ بِنَا فَأُخْرِجْنَا فَلَمَّا خَرَجْتُ وَمَعِي أَصْحَابِي وَخَلَصْتُ قُلْتُ لَقَدِ ارْتَفَعَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ هَذَا مَلِكُ بَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ يَخَافُهُ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَوَاللهِ مَا زِلْتُ ذَلِيلًا مُسْتَيْقِنًا أَنَّ أَمَرَهُ سَيَظْهَرُ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللهُ عَلَيَّ الْإِسْلَامَ وَأَنَا كَارِهٌ  

[Machine] I met the Prophet ﷺ between Arafah and Muzdalifah and I took hold of the reins of his camel, then I said, "O Messenger of Allah, what would bring me closer to Paradise and distance me from the Fire?" He replied, "By Allah, if you intend to make it brief, you have certainly asked about something great and extensive. Establish the obligatory prayers, give the obligatory Zakat, and perform the pilgrimage to the House (Kaaba). Do what you like people to do to you, and avoid what you dislike people to do to you. Let people be free from your actions as you would like to be free from theirs." Ibrahim ibn al-Hajjaj and Sakhur ibn al-Qa'qa al-Bahili said the same.  

لَقِيتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ بَيْنَ عَرَفَةَ وَالْمُزْدَلِفَةُ فَأَخَذْتُ بِخِطَامِ نَاقَتِهِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا يُقَرِّبُنِي مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَيُبَاعِدُنِي مِنَ النَّارِ؟ فَقَالَ «أَمَا وَاللهِ لَئِنْ كُنْتَ أَوْجَزْتَ الْمَسْأَلَةَ لَقَدْ عَظَّمْتَ وَأَطْوَلْتَ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَأَدِّ الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ وَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ وَمَا أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ يَفْعَلَهُ النَّاسُ بِكَ فَافْعَلْهُ بِهِمْ وَمَا كَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَفْعَلَهُ النَّاسُ بِكَ فَدَعِ النَّاسَ مِنْهُ خَلِّ خِطَامَ النَّاقَةِ» قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْحَجَّاجِ وَقَالَهُ صَخْرُ بْنُ الْقَعْقَاعِ الْبَاهِلِيُّ