It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullâh ibn ‘Abbâs [may Allâh be pleased with them] that he said: Abu Sufyân ibn Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from the Quraysh. They were merchants doing business in Shâm at the time when the Messenger of Allâh [peace be upon him] had an armistice[1] with Abu Sufyân and the Quraysh polytheists. Therefore, Abu Sufyân and his companions went to Heraclius at Bayt al-Maqdis.

Heraclius called them to the court, having all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his interpreter who, interpreting Heraclius’s questions to them, said: "Who amongst you is closer in relationship to the man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyân replied: "I am the nearest relative to him (from amongst the group).

Heraclius said: "Bring him (Abu Sufyân) close to me and make his companions stand behind him."[2] Abu Sufyân added: “Heraclius told his interpreter to tell my companions that he wanted to ask me some questions regarding that man (the Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyân added: "By Allâh! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar[3], I would not have told 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: “Only the poor follow him.” He said: “Are his followers increasing or decreasing (day after day)?” I replied: “They are increasing.” He then asked: “Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and reject it 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 in an armistice with him but we do not know what he will do in it.” I could not find an opportunity to say anything against him except that. Heraclius asked: “have you ever been at war with him?” I replied: “Yes.” He asked: “What was the result of the battles?” I replied: “Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we were.”[4] Heraclius said: “What does he order you to do?” I said: “He requires us to worship Allâh alone, not to worship anything besides Him and to abandon all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, speak the truth, be chaste and maintain kinship ties.”

Heraclius asked the interpreter 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 Messengers come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you 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 imitating those who were before him. Then I asked you whether anyone from his ancestors was a king and your reply was in the negative. If it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that he perhaps 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. Therefore, I wonder how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allâh. I then asked you whether the rich or the poor followed him and you replied that only the poor followed him. In fact, all Messengers have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing and you replied that they were increasing. Indeed, this is the way of true faith until it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and rejected it and your reply was in the negative. As a matter of fact, this is (the sign of) true faith when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with it completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed and you replied in the negative. However, Messengers never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do and you replied that he ordered you to worship Allâh alone and not to worship anything besides Him, forbade you to worship idols, ordered you to pray, speak the truth and be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place beneath my feet. I knew it from the scriptures that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you. Indeed, if I could reach him, definitely, I would immediately leave to meet him. If I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet[5].”[6]

[1] Concluded in Hudaybiyah in 6 H. and supposed to be ten years. See ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bâri, 1:34; An-Nawawi, al-Minhâj, 1:103.

[2] In order not to feel shy of him in case they contradicted his statements. Ibid. 1:35; 12:104.

[3] In reference to their aversion for telling lies – a character taken from a previous cult or by usage. Ibid. 1:35; 12:104.

[4] In reference to the battle of Badr in which the Muslims emerged victorious and the battle of Uhud in which the turn was for the polytheists. Ibid. 1:36; 12:105.

[5] In exaggeration to servitude, with which he was not eager to obtain any worldly benefit or sovereignty, in so much as to seek the blessing. Ibid. 1:37.

[6] al-Bukhâri, no. 7; Muslim, no. 1773.

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