The Prophet Muhammad : Letters to the Emperors

After enduring persecution, the early Muslims gained strength. The Quraish tribe of Makkah, who once fought against them, eventually made peace through the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. This agreement marked a turning point, showing how patience and faith overcame hostility. Meanwhile, the Jewish stronghold of Khaybar, which had plotted against the Muslims, was brought under justice. As the Muslim community in Madinah grew stronger, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) expanded his efforts beyond Arabia.

He sent letters to powerful rulers across the region, inviting them to embrace Islam’s message of monotheism and justice. These included the emperors of Byzantium (Rome) and Persia, the Negus of Abyssinia, the ruler of Alexandria, and leaders in Oman, Bahrain, and Syria. The letters were sealed with a special ring engraved with “Muhammad, Messenger of Allah” to prove their authenticity.

Many rulers reacted harshly. The Persian king tore up the letter, prompting the Prophet to pray for divine justice. Others, like the Negus of Abyssinia, respected the message. Despite risks, the Prophet’s companions eagerly volunteered to deliver these letters, even to lands they had never visited.

The Prophet reminded his followers of their duty to spread Islam peacefully, comparing it to earlier prophets’ missions. He emphasized trust in God, urging them not to fear rejection. Over time, many regions that initially resisted the message eventually embraced Islam, while those who scorned it, like Persia, faced decline.

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The Prophet Muhammad : The Devine Promise of Spoils of War

After the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, a Quranic verse (48:20) hinted that Muslims would soon gain spoils of war. This led some hypocrites—those who had earlier refused to join the Prophet’s peaceful pilgrimage to Makkah—to suddenly want to join the Khaybar expedition, hoping for wealth. But the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) firmly declared that only those committed to sincere struggle, not material gain, could accompany him. The hypocrites withdrew, leaving the 1,400 loyal Companions who had endured the hardships of Hudaybiyah to march to Khaybar.

A verse was revealed addressing this situation, warning that those who stayed behind would later ask to join for selfish reasons but would be denied. It exposed their shallow understanding of faith and their accusations of jealousy against the believers.

The Companions were emotionally drained after Hudaybiyah. They had hoped to perform Umrah (pilgrimage) in Makkah but were forced to return without completing it. The treaty’s harsh terms—like returning Muslim refugees to Makkah—and the painful memory of Suhayl (the Makkan representative) altering the treaty’s wording (removing “Muhammad, Messenger of Allah” and God’s merciful names) weighed heavily on their hearts. The sight of Abu Jandal, a tortured believer dragged back to Makkah, deepened their sorrow.

The spoils from Khaybar, earned through their perseverance and loyalty, would later serve as divine consolation, easing their grief and rewarding their steadfastness. This marked a shift from the trials of Hudaybiyah to renewed hope and strength for the Muslim community.

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The Prophet Muhammad : A letter to Muqawqis

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah (R) to deliver a letter to Muqawqis, the ruler of Egypt. Muqawqis welcomed Hatib respectfully and sent a reply to the Prophet. In his letter, he mentioned that he recognized signs of a coming Prophet from religious scriptures like the Torah and Gospel. Along with his letter, he sent gifts: 1,000 gold coins, two enslaved sisters (Mariyah and Sirin), a horse named Duldul, fine clothes, honey, and a skilled doctor. The Prophet accepted all gifts except the doctor, explaining that his community lived simply and did not require medical care.

Mariyah (R) joined the Prophet’s household as his wife and became a respected “Mother of the Believers.” Sirin (R) was gifted to the poet Hassan ibn Thabit (R). Notably, after Khadijah (R), Mariyah (R) was the only wife with whom the Prophet had children.

Muqawqis also gave Hatib (R) 100 gold coins and five garments as personal gifts. He instructed Hatib to return quickly and avoid interacting with local Coptic Christians. Muqawqis arranged an escort to ensure Hatib’s safe journey to the Arabian border, where Hatib joined travelers heading to Madinah.

Though Muqawqis did not openly embrace Islam, his respectful response and gifts showed his admiration for the Prophet’s message. The Prophet shared Muqawqis’ gifts with his companions.

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The Prophet Muhammad : A letter to Emperor Heraclius 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent a letter to Emperor Heraclius of Byzantium through his companion Dihyah al-Kalbi (R), who was accompanied by Adi ibn Hatim (R). They delivered the message via the governor of Busra, carefully avoiding actions that conflicted with Islamic teachings. Heraclius, then in Jerusalem celebrating his victory over Persia, received the letter with deep respect—placing it on his head and kissing it. He paused, saying he needed time to reflect.

After reading the letter, Heraclius gathered his advisors and called for a delegation from Makkah, including Abu Sufyan (who was not yet Muslim). Though skeptical, Abu Sufyan answered Heraclius’s questions truthfully about the Prophet’s character, teachings, and growing influence. Heraclius, referencing Christian scriptures, concluded that Muhammad (peace be upon him) matched the description of the awaited Prophet. While he acknowledged the truth, he did not openly embrace Islam due to political concerns. 

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The Prophet Muhammad : A Letter to Khosrow

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Abdullah ibn Hudhafah (R) with a letter to Khosrow, the Persian emperor. When Khosrow received it, he angrily tore the letter, refusing to accept its message. He then ordered his Yemeni governor, Badan, to capture the Prophet and bring him to Persia.

Badan sent two envoys to Madinah. Their messy appearance—shaved beards and long, untidy moustaches—drew the Prophet’s disapproval. He reminded them of Islam’s teachings on grooming: keeping beards trimmed and moustaches neat. The envoys demanded the Prophet surrender, threatening destruction if he refused. The Prophet calmly asked them to return the next day.

By then, the Prophet had received divine news: Khosrow had been assassinated by his own son, who seized power. He informed the envoys, urging them to tell Badan to embrace Islam and retain his rule. He also gifted them as a gesture of peace.

When Badan learned of Khosrow’s death, he realized the Prophet’s words were true. Soon, official news confirmed the emperor’s murder and his son’s rise. Stunned by the accuracy of the prophecy, Badan and many Persians in Yemen embraced Islam, recognizing the Prophet’s divine mission.

This event fulfilled the Prophet’s earlier prayer after Khosrow tore the letter: “May Allah tear apart his kingdom.” It highlighted how arrogance toward truth led to downfall, while openness to it brought guidance.

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The Prophet Muhammad : To the Negus

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent a letter to the Negus, the Christian king of Abyssinia, who had earlier sheltered Muslim refugees like Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (R). The letter, delivered by Amr ibn Umayyah (R), affirmed Jesus as a prophet created by Allah, like Adam, and invited the Negus to Islam.

Upon reading the letter, the Negus kissed it, stepped down from his throne, and embraced Islam in the presence of Ja’far (R). He wrote back to the Prophet, praising his message, confirming Jesus’ status as described, and declaring his faith in Allah. He even sent his son to Madinah, expressing willingness to visit the Prophet if needed.

Later, the Muslim refugees in Abyssinia, led by Ja’far (R), returned to Madinah. When the Negus died in the ninth year after the Hijrah, the Prophet announced his death and led a special prayer for him—honouring him as a righteous ruler who upheld justice and accepted Islam. 

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The Prophet Muhammad : To the Rulers of Yamama

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Salit ibn Amr (R) to Haudah ibn Ali, the ruler of Yamama (a region in Arabia), inviting him to Islam. Haudah, unwilling to give up his power, refused to convert. Instead, he sent messengers to the Prophet with a deal: he would support Islam if the Prophet granted him leadership after his death. The Prophet firmly rejected this, stating, “We do not operate on such terms,” and prayed for Haudah’s downfall. Shortly after, Haudah died.

Haudah’s messengers, Muja’at and Rajjal, embraced Islam and stayed in Madinah to study the Quran, especially the chapter Al-Baqarah. However, when they returned to Yamama, they were swayed by Musaylimah, a man falsely claiming prophethood. They spread lies that the Prophet had recognized Musaylimah as a prophet, causing confusion and division among the people. 

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The Prophet Muhammad : A Letter to Al-Harithul

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Shujaa' ibn Wahb (R) with a letter to Al-Harithul, a ruler allied with the Byzantine Empire. Al-Harithul, busy managing Rome’s financial affairs, delayed meeting Shujaa' for days. During this time, Shujaa' befriended Murri, a Roman guard, who secretly believed in the Prophet’s message after recognizing it from Christian scriptures but feared Al-Harithul’s anger.

When Al-Harithul finally read the letter, he defiantly threatened to attack Madinah and sought permission from the Byzantine Emperor. However, the Emperor rejected his request and warned against aggression. Al-Harithul then gave Shujaa' 100 gold coins as a gesture, while Murri sent clothes, supplies, and a message declaring his faith in Islam.

Upon returning to Madinah, Shujaa' relayed the events to the Prophet, who affirmed Murri’s sincere faith and prayed for stability in the region. Though Al-Harithul rejected Islam, his failed defiance and Murri’s hidden belief underscored the reach of the Prophet’s message—even among those in hostile courts.

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The Prophet Muhammad : To Bahrain and Oman

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent envoys to Bahrain and Oman to spread Islam. In Bahrain, ruled by Munzir ibn Saway, the Prophet’s companion Ala’a Al-Hadrami (R) delivered a letter inviting the ruler to Islam. Munzir embraced the faith, and soon all Arab inhabitants followed suit. Non-Arab communities—Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians (fire-worshippers)—agreed to live peacefully under Muslim rule. Bahrain thus became a region united under Islam, where the second Friday congregational prayer (Jumaa) in Islamic history was established after Madinah.

Next, the Prophet sent Amr ibn al-Aas (R) to Oman, governed by brothers Jaffar and Asad of the Julanda family. They accepted Islam and began ruling according to Islamic principles. Amr (R) stayed to guide the community, teaching Islamic practices and ensuring the faith took root.

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