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The envoy chosen was Sulait bin ‘Amr Al-‘Amiri, who after communicating his message, carried back
the following reply to the Prophet (Peace be upon him):
“The Faith, to which you invite me, is very good. I am a famous orator and poet, the Arabs highly
respect me and I am of account among them. If you include me in your government, I am prepared
to follow you.”
The governor then bestowed a reward on Sulait and presented him with clothes made of Hajr fabric.
Of course, he put all those presents in the trust of the Prophet (Peace be upon him):
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) did not accept Haudha’s demand. He usually turned down such
peremptory tone, and would say that the whole matter was in the Hand of Allâh, Who gave His land
to whoever He desired. Gabriel later came with the Revelation that Haudha had died. The Prophet
(Peace be upon him), in the context of his comme nt on this news, said: “Yamama is bound to give
rise to a liar who will arrogate Prophethood to himself but he will subsequently be killed.” In reply to
a question relating to the identity of the killer, the Prophet said “It is one of you, followers of Islam.”
7. A Letter to Harith bin Abi Shamir Al-Ghassani, King of Damascus:
“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad, Messenger of Allâh to Al-Harith bin Abi Shamir.
Peace be upon him who follows true guidance, believes in it and regards it as true. I invite you to
believe in Allâh Alone with no associate, thenceafter your kingdom will remain yours.”
Shuja‘ bin Wahab had the honour of taking the letter to Harith, who upon hearing the letter read in
his audience, was madly infuriated and uttered: “Who dares to disposs me of my country, I’ll fight
him (the Prophet),” and arrogantly rejected the Prophet’s invitation to the fold of Islam.
8. A Letter to the King of ‘Oman, Jaifer, and his Brother ‘Abd Al-Jalandi:
“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah to Jaifer and ‘Abd Al-Jalandi.
Peace be upon him who follows true guidance; thereafter I invite both of you to the Call of Islam.
Embrace Islam. Allâh has sent me as a Prophet to all His creatures in order that I may instil fear of
Allâh in the hearts of His disobedient creatures so that there may be left no excuse for those who
deny Allâh. If you two accept Islam, you will remain in command of your country; but if you refuse
my Call, you’ve got to remember that all your possessions are perishable. My horsemen will
appropriate your land, and my Prophethood will assume preponderance over your kingship.”
‘Amr bin Al-’As, who was chosen to carry the letter, narrated the following story that happened
before he was admitted into the audience of Jaifer.
“When I arrived in ‘Oman I contacted ‘Abd, who was known to be more mild-tempered than his
brother:
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‘Amr: I am the messenger of Allâh’s Prophet coming to see both, you and your brother.
‘Abd: You have to see my brother and read to him the letter you are carrying. He is my
senior in both age and kingship. Incidentally, what is the purport of your mission?
‘Amr: The Prophet calls upon you to believe in Allâh Alone with no associate, discard any
other deities and testify to the slavehood and Messengership of Muhammad.
‘Abd: O ‘Amr! You come from a noble family, but first of all, tell me what was your father’s
attitude concerning this Faith? You know, we used to follow his steps.
‘Amr: Death overtook him before believing in Muhammad’s mission; I wish now he had
embraced Islam and been truthful to it before his death. I myself had adopted the same
attitude until Allâh guided me towards Islam.
‘Abd: When did you embrace Islam?
‘Amr: When I was at Negus’s court. By the way, the latter did also enter into the fold of
Islam.
‘Abd: What was his people’s reaction?
‘Amr: They approved of him and followed his steps.
‘Abd: The bishops and monks?
‘Amr: They did the same.
‘Abd: Beware ‘Amr of lying for this soon betrays man.
‘Amr: I never tell lies; moreover, our religion never allows it.
‘Abd: Has Hercules been informed of the Islamization of Negus?
‘Amr: Yes, of course.
‘Abd: How did you happen to know that?
‘Amr: Negus used to pay land tax to Hercules, but when the former embraced Islam, he
swore he would discontinue that tax. When this news reached Hercules, his courtiers urged
him to take action against Negus but he refused and added that he himself would do the
same if he were not sparing of his kingship.
‘Abd: What does your Pexhort you to do?
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