Sahih Al-Bukhari: Kitabu#1, Hadith#7
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas:
Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Allah's Apostle had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question said to them, "Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group)."
Heraclius said, "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken 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, 'It is the poor who follow him.'
He said, 'Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?'
I replied, 'They are increasing.'
He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion 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 at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that.
Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?'
I replied, 'Yes.'
Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?'
I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.'
Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?'
I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.'
Heraclius asked the translator 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 the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you whether anyone 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.
I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.' Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle
which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah's Statement:)
'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us 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 beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64).
Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it)."
The sub narrator adds, "Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of llya' (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting ilya' (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, 'At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?' The people replied, 'Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews).
'Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.'
While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Allah's Apostle to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, 'Arabs also practice circumcision.'
(After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the 'Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).'
(On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience.
(When they returned) he said, 'What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith).
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ الْحَكَمُ بْنُ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ بْنَ حَرْبٍ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فِي رَكْبٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ ـ وَكَانُوا تُجَّارًا بِالشَّأْمِ ـ فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَادَّ فِيهَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ وَكُفَّارَ قُرَيْشٍ، فَأَتَوْهُ وَهُمْ بِإِيلِيَاءَ فَدَعَاهُمْ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ، وَحَوْلَهُ عُظَمَاءُ الرُّومِ ثُمَّ دَعَاهُمْ وَدَعَا بِتَرْجُمَانِهِ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا بِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ فَقَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ نَسَبًا. فَقَالَ أَدْنُوهُ مِنِّي، وَقَرِّبُوا أَصْحَابَهُ، فَاجْعَلُوهُمْ عِنْدَ ظَهْرِهِ. ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُمْ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا عَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ، فَإِنْ كَذَبَنِي فَكَذِّبُوهُ. فَوَاللَّهِ لَوْلاَ الْحَيَاءُ مِنْ أَنْ يَأْثِرُوا عَلَىَّ كَذِبًا لَكَذَبْتُ عَنْهُ، ثُمَّ كَانَ أَوَّلَ مَا سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ أَنْ قَالَ كَيْفَ نَسَبُهُ فِيكُمْ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ. قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ قَطُّ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ لاَ. قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ قُلْتُ لاَ. قَالَ فَأَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ فَقُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ. قَالَ أَيَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ قُلْتُ بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ. قَالَ فَهَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ قُلْتُ لاَ. قَالَ فَهَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ. قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ قُلْتُ لاَ، وَنَحْنُ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّةٍ لاَ نَدْرِي مَا هُوَ فَاعِلٌ فِيهَا. قَالَ وَلَمْ تُمْكِنِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا غَيْرُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةِ. قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ قِتَالُكُمْ إِيَّاهُ قُلْتُ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ سِجَالٌ، يَنَالُ مِنَّا وَنَنَالُ مِنْهُ. قَالَ مَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ قُلْتُ يَقُولُ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ، وَلاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَاتْرُكُوا مَا يَقُولُ آبَاؤُكُمْ، وَيَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالصِّلَةِ. فَقَالَ لِلتَّرْجُمَانِ قُلْ لَهُ سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ، فَذَكَرْتَ أَنَّهُ فِيكُمْ ذُو نَسَبٍ، فَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي نَسَبِ قَوْمِهَا، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ لَقُلْتُ رَجُلٌ يَأْتَسِي بِقَوْلٍ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنْ لاَ، قُلْتُ فَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ أَبِيهِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَقَدْ أَعْرِفُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَذَرَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمُ اتَّبَعُوهُ، وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَيَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ، وَكَذَلِكَ أَمْرُ الإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَيَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنْ لاَ، وَكَذَلِكَ الإِيمَانُ حِينَ تُخَالِطُ بَشَاشَتُهُ الْقُلُوبَ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَغْدِرُ فَذَكَرْتَ أَنْ لاَ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ لاَ تَغْدِرُ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ بِمَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ، فَذَكَرْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ، وَلاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ الأَوْثَانِ، وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالْعَفَافِ. فَإِنْ كَانَ مَا تَقُولُ حَقًّا فَسَيَمْلِكُ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ، وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ، لَمْ أَكُنْ أَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ مِنْكُمْ، فَلَوْ أَنِّي أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أَخْلُصُ إِلَيْهِ لَتَجَشَّمْتُ لِقَاءَهُ، وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ لَغَسَلْتُ عَنْ قَدَمِهِ. ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الَّذِي بَعَثَ بِهِ دِحْيَةُ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى، فَدَفَعَهُ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ فَقَرَأَهُ فَإِذَا فِيهِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ. مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ. سَلاَمٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى، أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الإِسْلاَمِ، أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ، يُؤْتِكَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ، فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ إِثْمَ الأَرِيسِيِّينَ وَ{يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَنْ لاَ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ} قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا قَالَ مَا قَالَ، وَفَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَةِ الْكِتَابِ كَثُرَ عِنْدَهُ الصَّخَبُ، وَارْتَفَعَتِ الأَصْوَاتُ وَأُخْرِجْنَا، فَقُلْتُ لأَصْحَابِي حِينَ أُخْرِجْنَا لَقَدْ أَمِرَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ، إِنَّهُ يَخَافُهُ مَلِكُ بَنِي الأَصْفَرِ. فَمَا زِلْتُ مُوقِنًا أَنَّهُ سَيَظْهَرُ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىَّ الإِسْلاَمَ. وَكَانَ ابْنُ النَّاظُورِ صَاحِبُ إِيلِيَاءَ وَهِرَقْلَ سُقُفًّا عَلَى نَصَارَى الشَّأْمِ، يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ حِينَ قَدِمَ إِيلِيَاءَ أَصْبَحَ يَوْمًا خَبِيثَ النَّفْسِ، فَقَالَ بَعْضُ بَطَارِقَتِهِ قَدِ اسْتَنْكَرْنَا هَيْئَتَكَ. قَالَ ابْنُ النَّاظُورِ وَكَانَ هِرَقْلُ حَزَّاءً يَنْظُرُ فِي النُّجُومِ، فَقَالَ لَهُمْ حِينَ سَأَلُوهُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ اللَّيْلَةَ حِينَ نَظَرْتُ فِي النُّجُومِ مَلِكَ الْخِتَانِ قَدْ ظَهَرَ، فَمَنْ يَخْتَتِنُ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ قَالُوا لَيْسَ يَخْتَتِنُ إِلاَّ الْيَهُودُ فَلاَ يُهِمَّنَّكَ شَأْنُهُمْ وَاكْتُبْ إِلَى مَدَايِنِ مُلْكِكَ، فَيَقْتُلُوا مَنْ فِيهِمْ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ. فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ عَلَى أَمْرِهِمْ أُتِيَ هِرَقْلُ بِرَجُلٍ أَرْسَلَ بِهِ مَلِكُ غَسَّانَ، يُخْبِرُ عَنْ خَبَرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا اسْتَخْبَرَهُ هِرَقْلُ قَالَ اذْهَبُوا فَانْظُرُوا أَمُخْتَتِنٌ هُوَ أَمْ لاَ. فَنَظَرُوا إِلَيْهِ، فَحَدَّثُوهُ أَنَّهُ مُخْتَتِنٌ، وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْعَرَبِ فَقَالَ هُمْ يَخْتَتِنُونَ. فَقَالَ هِرَقْلُ هَذَا مَلِكُ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ قَدْ ظَهَرَ. ثُمَّ كَتَبَ هِرَقْلُ إِلَى صَاحِبٍ لَهُ بِرُومِيَةَ، وَكَانَ نَظِيرَهُ فِي الْعِلْمِ، وَسَارَ هِرَقْلُ إِلَى حِمْصَ، فَلَمْ يَرِمْ حِمْصَ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ كِتَابٌ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ يُوَافِقُ رَأْىَ هِرَقْلَ عَلَى خُرُوجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ، فَأَذِنَ هِرَقْلُ لِعُظَمَاءِ الرُّومِ فِي دَسْكَرَةٍ لَهُ بِحِمْصَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِأَبْوَابِهَا فَغُلِّقَتْ، ثُمَّ اطَّلَعَ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الرُّومِ، هَلْ لَكُمْ فِي الْفَلاَحِ وَالرُّشْدِ وَأَنْ يَثْبُتَ مُلْكُكُمْ فَتُبَايِعُوا هَذَا النَّبِيَّ، فَحَاصُوا حَيْصَةَ حُمُرِ الْوَحْشِ إِلَى الأَبْوَابِ، فَوَجَدُوهَا قَدْ غُلِّقَتْ، فَلَمَّا رَأَى هِرَقْلُ نَفْرَتَهُمْ، وَأَيِسَ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ قَالَ رُدُّوهُمْ عَلَىَّ. وَقَالَ إِنِّي قُلْتُ مَقَالَتِي آنِفًا أَخْتَبِرُ بِهَا شِدَّتَكُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ، فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ. فَسَجَدُوا لَهُ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ، فَكَانَ ذَلِكَ آخِرَ شَأْنِ هِرَقْلَ. رَوَاهُ صَالِحُ بْنُ كَيْسَانَ وَيُونُسُ وَمَعْمَرٌ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ
Amesimulia 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas (r.a):
Abu Sufyan bin Harb alinijulisha kuwa Heraclius alimtumia mjumbe wakati alipokuwa anasindikiza msafara kutoka Quraish. Walikuwa ni wafanya biashara wa Sham (Syria, Palestina, Lebanon na Jodan), wakati Mtume wa Allah (s.a.w) alipokuwa amesimamisha vita na Abu Sufyan na makafiri wa Quraish. Basi Abu Sufyan na wenzake wakaenda kwa Heraclius huko Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius akawaita mahakamani akiwa amezungukwa na viongozi muhimu mashuhuri wa Byzantium (Roman). Akamuita mkalimani wake ambaye akasema, akitafsiri swali la Heraclius, "Ni nani kati yenu aliye na uhusiano wa karibu na huyo mtu anayedai kuwa ni Nabii?" Abu Sufyan akajibu, " Mimi ni ndugu yake wa karibu zaidi (kati yetu)" Heraclius akasema, "Mlete hapa (Abu Sufyan) karibu yangu na wasimamishe wenzake nyuma yake" Abu Sufyan akaongezea, "Heraclius alimwambia mkalimani wake awaambie wenzangu kwamba alitaka kuniuliza maswali kuhusu huyo mtu (Mtume s.a.w) na kwamba kama ningedanganya wenzangu wangenichanganya (wangeniumbua)." Abu Sufyan akaongezea, "Wallah! Kama nisingeogopa wenzangu kuniita muongo, nisingesema ukweli kuhusu yeye (s.a.w) Swali la kwanza aliloniuliza kuhusu yeye (Mtume s.a.w) ni:
'Ni ipi hadhi yake kifamilia miongoni mwenu?'
Nikamjibu, 'anatoka katika familia njema ya kuheshimika kati yetu'
Heraclius akauliza zaidi, 'Kuna yeyote kati yenu ameshawahi kudai kama hivyo (yaani utume/unabii) kabla yake?'
Nikajibu, 'Hapana'
Heraclius akauliza, 'Kuna yeyote katika mababu zake aliwahi kuwa mfalme?'
Nikajibu 'Hapana'
Heraclius akauliza, 'Ni waheshimiwa au masikini (watu duni) wanaomfuata?
Nikajibu , 'Ni watu duni wanaomfuata'
Akasema, 'Wafuasi wake wanaongezeka au wanapungua?
Nikajibu, 'Wanaongezeka'
Kisha akauliza, 'Kuna wowote katika wanaosilimu huja kuichukia na kuachana na dini yake?'
Nikajibu, 'Hapana'
Heraclius akasema, ' Umeshawahi kumshutumu (au kumhisi) kusema uwongo kabla ya madai yake (ya utume)?'
Nikajibu, 'Hapana'
Heraclius akasema, 'Je, huwa anavunja ahadi?'
Nikajibu, 'Hapana. Tupo katika makubaliano ya kusimamisha mapigano naye lakini hatujui atafanyanini ndani ya kipindi hiki.' Sikuweza kupata nafasi ya kusema chochote dhidi yake isipokuwa hilo.
Heraclius akauliza, 'Mmeshawahi kuwa na vita naye?'
Nikajibu, 'Ndio'
Kisha akasema, 'Matokeo ya vita yalikuwaje?'
Nikajibu, 'Wakati mwingine alishinda na wakati mwingine sisi.'
Heraclius akasema, 'Huwa anakuamrisheni mfanye nini?'
Nikajibu, 'Anatuambia tumwabudu Allah, na Allah pekee na tusimuabudu kwa kumshirikisha na chochote, na kuachana na yote mababu zetu waliyosema. Anatuamrisha kuswali, kusema ukweli, kuwa safi (kutofanya zinaa), na kuimarisha uhusiano mzuri na ndugu.'
Heraclius akamwambia mkalimani aniambie yafuatayo, Nimekuuliza kuhusu familia yake na ukanijibu kuwa anakokaka familia ya kuheshimika sana. Ukweli Mitume wote wanatoka katika familia za hadhi ya heshima katika jamii zao. Nimekuuliza kama kuna mwingine yeyote aliyewahi kuwa na madai kama hayo, jibu lako likawa la kukataa. Kama jawabu lingekuwa la kukubali, ningefikiri kuwa huyu mtu anafuata kauli ya mtu aliyepita. Kisha nikakuuliza kama yeyote katika mababu zake alikuwa mfalme. Jawabu lako likawa la kukataa, na lingekuwa ka kukubali, ningefikiri huyu mtu anataka kurudisha utawala wa kifalme wa mababu zake.
Nikauliza zaidi kama ameshawahi kushutumiwa kusema uwongo kabla ya kusema alivyosema (kuhusu utume), na jibu lako likawa la kukataa. Kwahiyo nikastaajabu, yawezekana vipi mtu asiyedanganya juu ya wengine aje aseme uwongo juu ya Allah. Halafu nikakuuliza kama ni matajiri au masikini wanaomfuata. Ukanijibu kuwa ni masikini wafuasi wake, Na ukweli ni kuwa Mitume wote wamekuwa wakifuatwa na tabaka hili hili la watu. Halafu nikakuuliza kama wafuasi wake wanaongezeka ama wanapungua. Ukanijibu kuwa wanaongezeka, na ukweli ni kuwa hii ndio njia ya Imani ya ukweli, mpaka inapokamilika katika nyanja zote. Nikakuuliza zaidi kama kuna yeyote ambaye baada ya kujiunga na dini yake, akaona hakupendezwa nayo na kuiacha dini yake. Jibu lako likawa katika kukanusha, na ukweli ni kuwa hii ni ishara ya Imani ya kweli, wakati furaha yake inapoingia mioyoni na kuchanganyika kikamilifu. Nikakuuliza kama amewahi kusaliti. Ukajibu katika kukanusha na kama ilivyo, mitume hawasaliti daima. Kisha nikakuuliza amewaamrisha mfanye nini. Ukajibu amewaamrisha mumwabudu Allah na Allah pekee, na msimuabudu kwa kumshirikisha na chochote na kuwakataza kuabudu masanamu na kuwaamrisha kuswali, kusema ukweli na kuwa wasafi (kutozini). Kama uliyosema ni kweli, hivi karibuni kabisa atamiliki hili eneo chini ya nyayo zangu na nilijua (kutoka vitabuni) kwamba angekuja kutokea lakini sikujua kama angekuwa ametoka kwenu, na ningeweza kumpata ningeenda kuonana (kukutana) naye haraka, na ningekuwa naye, kwa hakika ningemuosha miguu/nyayo zake'
Halafu Heraclius akaomba iletwe barua ya Mtume (s.a.w) ambayo ililetwa na Dihya kwa Gavana wa Busra, ambaye aliituma kwa Heraclius ili aisome. Yaliyomo katika barua ni kama ifuatavyo: "Kwa Jina La Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye kurehemu, kutoka kwa Muhammad mtumwa wa Allah na Mtume wake kwenda kwa Heraclius mtawala wa Byzantine. Amani iwe juu yake, anayefuata njia ya uongofu. Zaidi ya hayo ninakualika katika Uislam, na ukiwa muislam utakuwa salama, na Allah atakupa thawabu mara dufu, na ukikataa mwaliko huu wa Uislam utakuwa unafanya dhambi kwa kuwapotosha raia (walio chini yako).
'Enyi Watu wa Kitabu! Njooni kwenye neno lilio sawa baina yetu na nyinyi: Ya kwamba tusimuabudu yeyote ila Mwenyezi Mungu, wala tusimshirikishe na chochote; wala tusifanyane sisi kwa sisi kuwa Waola Walezi badala ya Mwenyezi Mungu. Na wakigeuka basi semeni: Shuhudieni ya kwamba sisi ni Waislamu. (waliojisalimisha kwa Allah)' (Qur'an 3:64)
Halafu Abu Sufyan akaongeza, "Wakati Heraclius alipomaliza hotuba yake na aliposoma ile barua, kukawa na gumzo la ghasia na kelele mahakamani. Kwahiyo tukatolewa nje ya mahakama. Nikawaambia wenzangu kwamba suala la Ibn Abi Kabsha (Mtume s.a.w) limekuwa zito na maarufu anamwogopesha hata mfalme wa Bani Al Asfar (Wagiriki). Kisha nikaanza kuwa na uhakika kwamba yeye (s.a.w) angekuja kuwa mshindi katika muda mfupi ujao mpaka ninaposilimu (yaani Allah ataponiongoza)"
Msimulizi mdogo ameongezea, "Ibn An Natur alikuwa Gavana wa Ilya' (Jerusalem) na Heraclius alikuwa ni mkuu wa Wakristo wa Sham. Ibn An-Natur anasimulia kuwa safari moja Heraclius alipotembelea Ilya' (jerusalem), aliamka asubuhi akiwa na huzuni. Baadhi ya makuhani wake wakamuuliza kwanini alikuwa katika hali hiyo? Heraclius alikuwa ni mtabiri na mnajimu. Akajibu, 'Usiku nilipoangalia nyota, niliona kuwa kiongozi wa wanaofanya tohara ametokea (ameshinda). Ni akina nani hao wanaofanya tohara?' Watu wakamjibu, 'Isipokuwa Wajahudi hakuna anayefanya tohara, kwa hiyo usiwaogope (Wayahudi).
'Toa amri tu ya kuuawa kila Myahudi aliyopo nchini'
Wakati wakijadili hilo, mjumbe aliyetumwa na mfalme wa Ghassan kuleta habari za Mtume wa Allah (s.a.w) kwa Heraclius akaja. Aliposikia habari hizo, Heraclius akawaamrisha watu wakaangalie kama huyo mjumbe wa Ghassan ametahiriwa. Baada ya kumuona, wakamwambia Heraclius kwamba ametahiriwa. Heraclius akamuuliza kuhusu Waarabu. Yule mjumbe akajibu, 'Waarabu pia wanafanya tohara.'
(Aliposikia hivyo) Heraclius akasema kwamba uhuru wa Waarabu umekuwa. Halafu Heraclius akaandika barua kwa rafiki yake Roma ambaye alikuwa na ufahamu mzuri wa mambo kama yeye. Heraclius akasafiri kuelekea Homs. (Mji ulioko Syria na akabaki huko mpaka alipopata majibu ya barua yake kutoka kwa rafiki yake aliyekubaliana naye juu ya maoni kuhusu kuibuka kwa Nabii (s.a.w) na kuwa ni Nabii kweli. Kwa hilo Heraclius akawaalika wakuu wote wa Byzantine kukusanyika katika Kasri lake pale Homs. Walipokusanyika, akaamrisha milango yote ya jumba lake ifungwe. Halafu akatoka na kusema, 'Enyi Wa-Byzantine! Kama mnapenda mafanikio, na mnatafuta muongozo sahihi na mnataka Ufalme wenu ubakie imara basi toeni kiapo cha utii kwa huyu Nabii (yaani msilimu)'
(Waliposikia) watu wakakimbilia mbio kwenye milango ya Kasri kama punda mwitu lakini wakakuta milango imefungwa. Heraclius akatambua chuki yao dhidi ya Uislam na alipopoteza matumaini ya wao kusilimu, akaamrisha warudishwe.
(Waliporudi) akasema, 'Kilichosemwa ni kupima tu nguvu ya imani yenu katika dini, na mimeshaiona.' Watu wakasujudu mbele yake na kumridhia, na huo ndio mwisho wa hadithi ya Heraclius (kuhusiana na Imani yake).
