📜 The Prophet's ﷺ Letters to the Kings: Islam Addresses the World

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📅 Introduction and Context of the Letters

﴿ And We have not sent you except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner to all mankind ﴾
— [Surah Saba': 28]

Immediately after the Treaty of Hudaybiya, in Muharram of the seventh year of Hijra, the Prophet ﷺ decided to address the kings of the world and invite them to Islam.

Why This Timing?

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✉️ The Letter to Heraclius (Caesar of Rome)

The Messenger: Dihya al-Kalbî

📜 Scene:

The Prophet's ﷺ letter reached Heraclius while he was in Jerusalem, celebrating his victory over the Persians.

Text of the letter:

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

From Muhammad, the servant of Allah and His Messenger, to Heraclius, the great one of Rome.

Peace be upon whoever follows the guidance.

To proceed: I invite you to the call of Islam. Submit and you will be safe, Allah will give you your reward twice. If you turn away, you will bear the sin of the Arisiyin (your subjects).

﴿ Say: "O People of the Book, come to a word common between us and you..." ﴾"

— Source: Sahîh al-Bukhârî

The Interrogation of Abû Sufyân

📜 Scene:

Heraclius asked that merchants from Quraysh be brought to him. They brought Abû Sufyân (before his conversion) and his companions.

Heraclius asked him:

Question	Abû Sufyân's Answer
What is his lineage among you?	Of the noblest lineage
Has anyone said this before him?	No
Does he betray?	No, and we are in a truce not knowing what he will do
Who follows him?	The weak people
Are they increasing or decreasing?	Increasing
Does anyone apostatize?	No

— Source: Sahîh al-Bukhârî

Heraclius's Analysis

📜 Scene:

Heraclius said:

"I asked you about his lineage, and you mentioned he is of noble lineage among you. Thus are messengers sent, in the lineage of their people.

I asked if anyone had said this before him, and you said no. If someone had said it before him, I would have said he is imitating words said before him.

I asked if he betrays, and you mentioned he does not betray. Thus messengers do not betray.

If what you say is true, he will rule the place where my feet are now. If I were near him, I would wash his feet!"

— Source: Sahîh al-Bukhârî

Heraclius's Position

Heraclius did not convert publicly for fear of losing his kingdom, but he knew he was a true prophet.

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✉️ The Letter to Chosroes (King of Persia)

The Messenger: 'Abdullah ibn Hudhâfa

📜 Scene:

When Chosroes (Abrawîz) read the letter and saw it began with Muhammad's name before his, he flew into rage and shouted:

"A slave among my slaves writes his name before mine?!"

Then he tore up the letter!

When this reached the Prophet ﷺ, he said:

"May Allah tear up his kingdom!"

— Source: Sahîh al-Bukhârî

The Fulfillment of the Supplication

🌟 The kings of Persia never passed power by succession again, just as the letter was torn!

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✉️ The Letter to the Muqawqis (Great One of the Copts)

The Messenger: Hâtib ibn Abî Balta'a

📜 Scene:

The Muqawqis received Hâtib with respect and read the letter carefully.

He said: "I knew that a prophet was yet to come, and I thought he would emerge from Syria. I have honored your messenger."

Then he sent gifts to the Prophet ﷺ:

• A thousand mithqâl of gold
• Twenty garments
• A gray mule (Duldul)
• A donkey (Ya'fûr)
• Two maidservants: Mâriya and her sister Sîrîn

— Source: Sīra of Ibn Hishām

Mâriya the Copt

The Prophet ﷺ married her, and she bore him his son Ibrâhîm who died in infancy.

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✉️ The Letter to the Negus (King of Abyssinia)

The Messenger: 'Amr ibn Umayya ad-Damrî

📜 Scene:

The Negus Ashama had already secretly converted earlier.

When he read the Prophet's ﷺ letter, he placed it on his eyes out of respect!

Then he descended from his throne and sat on the ground out of humility, and said:

"I bear witness that he is the Messenger of Allah, and that he is the one whom 'Îsâ son of Maryam foretold."

— Source: Sīra of Ibn Hishām

The Death of the Negus

When the Negus died, the Prophet ﷺ prayed the funeral prayer in absentia for him and said:

"A righteous man has died today. Rise and pray for your brother Ashama."
— Source: Sahîh al-Bukhârî

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✉️ Other Letters

Table of Letters

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🔍 Lessons from the Letters

First Lesson: The Universality of Islam

Islam is not an Arab religion, but a message for the entire world.

Second Lesson: Prophetic Diplomacy

• Respectful discourse even toward disbelievers
• Using their titles (the great one of Rome)
• No compulsion, but invitation

Third Lesson: The Fulfillment of Prophecies

• Chosroes's kingdom was torn as he tore the letter
• Muslims ruled where Heraclius's feet stood

Fourth Lesson: The Diversity of Responses

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💡 Lesson Summary

🌟 To Reflect:

1,400 years ago, the Prophet ﷺ addressed the greatest kings of the earth with one message: Islam. Today, those empires have vanished, and Islam remains, spreading to every corner of the world.

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✅ Review Questions

1. Why did the Prophet ﷺ choose this moment to send the letters?
2. What did Heraclius deduce from his questions to Abû Sufyân?
3. What did Chosroes do with the letter and what did the Prophet ﷺ say?
4. How did the Negus receive the Prophet's ﷺ letter?
5. What did the Muqawqis offer to the Prophet ﷺ?

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In the next lesson: The Conquest of Mecca — The Triumphant Return 🕋