Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas: Allah’s Apostle wrote to Caesar and invited him to Islam and sent him his letter with Dihya Al-Kalbi whom Allah’s Apostle 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 Allah’s Apostle 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 Allah’s Apostle. At that time Abu Sufyan bin Harb was in Sham with some men frown Quraish who had come (to Sham) as merchants during the truce that had been concluded between Allah’s Apostle; 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 Allah’s Apostle 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 peasants (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.”
Hadith In Arabic Text :
حدثنا إبراهيم بن حمزة، حدثنا إبراهيم بن سعد، عن صالح بن كيسان، عن ابن شهاب، عن عبيد الله بن عبد الله بن عتبة، عن عبد الله بن عباس رضى الله عنهما أنه أخبره أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كتب إلى قيصر يدعوه إلى الإسلام، وبعث بكتابه إليه مع دحية الكلبي، وأمره رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يدفعه إلى عظيم بصرى ليدفعه إلى قيصر، وكان قيصر لما كشف الله عنه جنود فارس مشى من حمص إلى إيلياء، شكرا لما أبلاه الله، فلما جاء قيصر كتاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال حين قرأه التمسوا لي ها هنا أحدا من قومه لأسألهم عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم. قال ابن عباس فأخبرني أبو سفيان، أنه كان بالشأم في رجال من قريش، قدموا تجارا في المدة التي كانت بين رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وبين كفار قريش، قال أبو سفيان فوجدنا رسول قيصر ببعض الشأم فانطلق بي وبأصحابي حتى قدمنا إيلياء، فأدخلنا عليه، فإذا هو جالس في مجلس ملكه وعليه التاج، وإذا حوله عظماء الروم فقال لترجمانه سلهم أيهم أقرب نسبا إلى هذا الرجل الذي يزعم أنه نبي قال أبو سفيان فقلت أنا أقربهم نسبا. قال ما قرابة ما بينك وبينه فقلت هو ابن عمي، وليس في الركب يومئذ أحد من بني عبد مناف غيري. فقال قيصر أدنوه. وأمر بأصحابي فجعلوا خلف ظهري عند كتفي، ثم قال لترجمانه قل لأصحابه إني سائل هذا الرجل عن الذي يزعم أنه نبي، فإن كذب فكذبوه. قال أبو سفيان والله لولا الحياء يومئذ من أن يأثر أصحابي عني الكذب لكذبته حين سألني عنه، ولكني استحييت أن يأثروا الكذب عني فصدقته، ثم قال لترجمانه قل له كيف نسب هذا الرجل فيكم قلت هو فينا ذو نسب. قال فهل قال هذا القول أحد منكم قبله قلت لا. فقال كنتم تتهمونه على الكذب قبل أن يقول ما قال قلت لا. قال فهل كان من آبائه من ملك قلت لا. قال فأشراف الناس يتبعونه أم ضعفاؤهم قلت بل ضعفاؤهم. قال فيزيدون أو ينقصون قلت بل يزيدون. قال فهل يرتد أحد سخطة لدينه بعد أن يدخل فيه قلت لا. قال فهل يغدر قلت لا، ونحن الآن منه في مدة، نحن نخاف أن يغدر. قال أبو سفيان ولم يمكني كلمة أدخل فيها شيئا أنتقصه به لا أخاف أن تؤثر عني غيرها. قال فهل قاتلتموه أو قاتلكم قلت نعم. قال فكيف كانت حربه وحربكم قلت كانت دولا وسجالا، يدال علينا المرة وندال عليه الأخرى. قال فماذا يأمركم قال يأمرنا أن نعبد الله وحده لا نشرك به شيئا، وينهانا عما كان يعبد آباؤنا، ويأمرنا بالصلاة والصدقة والعفاف والوفاء بالعهد وأداء الأمانة. فقال لترجمانه حين قلت ذلك له قل له إني سألتك عن نسبه فيكم، فزعمت أنه ذو نسب، وكذلك الرسل تبعث في نسب قومها، وسألتك هل قال أحد منكم هذا القول قبله فزعمت أن لا، فقلت لو كان أحد منكم قال هذا القول قبله قلت رجل يأتم بقول قد قيل قبله. وسألتك هل كنتم تتهمونه بالكذب قبل أن يقول ما قال فزعمت أن لا، فعرفت أنه لم يكن ليدع الكذب على الناس ويكذب على الله، وسألتك هل كان من آبائه من ملك فزعمت أن لا، فقلت لو كان من آبائه ملك قلت يطلب ملك آبائه. وسألتك أشراف الناس يتبعونه أم ضعفاؤهم فزعمت أن ضعفاءهم اتبعوه، وهم أتباع الرسل، وسألتك هل يزيدون أو ينقصون فزعمت أنهم يزيدون، وكذلك الإيمان حتى يتم، وسألتك هل يرتد أحد سخطة لدينه بعد أن يدخل فيه فزعمت أن لا، فكذلك الإيمان حين تخلط بشاشته القلوب لا يسخطه أحد، وسألتك هل يغدر فزعمت أن لا، وكذلك الرسل لا يغدرون. وسألتك هل قاتلتموه وقاتلكم فزعمت أن قد فعل، وأن حربكم وحربه تكون دولا، ويدال عليكم المرة وتدالون عليه الأخرى، وكذلك الرسل تبتلى، وتكون لها العاقبة، وسألتك بماذا يأمركم فزعمت أنه يأمركم أن تعبدوا الله ولا تشركوا به شيئا، وينهاكم عما كان يعبد آباؤكم، ويأمركم بالصلاة والصدق والعفاف والوفاء بالعهد، وأداء الأمانة، قال وهذه صفة النبي، قد كنت أعلم أنه خارج، ولكن لم أظن أنه منكم، وإن يك ما قلت حقا، فيوشك أن يملك موضع قدمى هاتين، ولو أرجو أن أخلص إليه لتجشمت لقيه، ولو كنت عنده لغسلت قدميه. قال أبو سفيان ثم دعا بكتاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقرئ فإذا فيه ” بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم من محمد عبد الله ورسوله، إلى هرقل عظيم الروم، سلام على من اتبع الهدى، أما بعد فإني أدعوك بدعاية الإسلام، أسلم تسلم، وأسلم يؤتك الله أجرك مرتين، فإن توليت فعليك إثم الأريسيين و{يا أهل الكتاب تعالوا إلى كلمة سواء بيننا وبينكم أن لا نعبد إلا الله ولا نشرك به شيئا ولا يتخذ بعضنا بعضا أربابا من دون الله فإن تولوا فقولوا اشهدوا بأنا مسلمون}”. قال أبو سفيان فلما أن قضى مقالته، علت أصوات الذين حوله من عظماء الروم، وكثر لغطهم، فلا أدري ماذا قالوا، وأمر بنا فأخرجنا، فلما أن خرجت مع أصحابي وخلوت بهم قلت لهم لقد أمر أمر ابن أبي كبشة، هذا ملك بني الأصفر يخافه، قال أبو سفيان والله ما زلت ذليلا مستيقنا بأن أمره سيظهر، حتى أدخل الله قلبي الإسلام وأنا كاره.
Chapter : Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) – كتاب الجهاد والسير