Adil Salahi, Arab News
A Puppet Ruler’s Response
An attitude similar to that of Khosrow was shown by Al-Harith ibn Abu Shammar of the Arabs of Ghassan, who was the ruler of Damascus appointed by the Byzantine emperor. Shuja ibn Wahb, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) companion, carried his message to Al-Harith. When he read the message, Al-Harith threw it on the floor and said: “Who can take my kingdom away from me? I will march to him even if he is in the Yemen.” He immediately started to mobilize his forces.
One should remember here that Al-Harith was no more than a governor whose jurisdiction extended only over his Arabian tribe, which was subjugated by the Byzantine rulers. Nevertheless, he was so boastful that he did not think anyone could take his kingdom away from him. One should note here that his attitude was far more arrogant than that of his master Heraclius. However, he wrote to Heraclius, making known his intention to march with his forces against the Prophet. Heraclius wrote back from Jerusalem ordering him not to proceed with his intention. He also called him to join him in Jerusalem.
Shuja ibn Wahb reported to the Prophet when he arrived back in Madinah that Al-Harith had a Byzantine commander of his palace guard named Marri, a Christian. He questioned Shuja about the Prophet and his message. When Shuja explained that to him, his eyes were full of tears, he said: “I have read plain references to this Prophet in the Bible, but I thought that he would appear in Syria. However, I believe in him as God’s messenger, but I fear that I shall be killed by Al-Harith if I were to declare my belief.” He asked Shuja to convey his respects to the Prophet and to tell him that he was a believer in him and his message.
An Envoy to the Egyptian Ruler
Hatib ibn Abu Baltaah, another companion of the Prophet, carried his letter to the ruler of Egypt in Alexandria, who was a governor general appointed by the Byzantine emperor. Most Arab historians refer to the ruler of Egypt at the time by the name Al-Muqawqis. There is much disagreement, however, among historians as to his true name, his title and his identity. Some historians — like Abu Salih, who lived in the sixth century of Islamic history (equivalent to the 13th century of the Gregorian calendar) — call him Grig ibn Mina Al-Muqawqis. The renowned historian Ibn Khaldun says that he was Coptic, while Al-Maqrizi, another Muslim historian, believes that he was a Byzantine ruler appointed by Heraclius, and his name was George. Other historians believe that his appointment took place in the year 621 AD. Alfred Butler, the author of a book on the Arab conquest of Egypt, is of the opinion that the Arabs believed that the governor of Egypt appointed by the Byzantine emperor, after his victory over Persia, was given the title of Al-Muqawqis, and combined the two offices of governor and head of the church. Hence they gave this title to George, who was a deputy for Heraclius in Egypt. He traces this title to Coptic origins. It is perfectly possible that a Coptic bishop took over the government of Egypt in addition to his being head of the church when the Persians took over Egypt. The Persian forces withdrew from Egypt in 627 AD, but no peace agreement was signed until the following year. It is also perfectly possible that the Prophet’s letter to Al-Muqawqis was sent during this period when the Egyptian governor enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy. Hence, the Prophet addressed him as “The Chief of the Copts”. The Prophet’s letter ran as follows:
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent. From Muhammad ibn Abdullah to Al-Muqawqis, the Chief of the Copts. Peace be to those who follow right guidance. I wish to convey to you the message of Islam. Accept Islam and you will be safe. Accept it and God will double your reward. Should you turn your back on it, you will bear the responsibility for the Copts. People of earlier revelations, let us all come to a fair agreement among ourselves that we shall not worship anyone but God, and that we will never ascribe divinity to anyone else, and that none of us will give others the status of Lord alongside God. If they refuse, say to them: Bear witness that we submit ourselves to God.
Having sealed his letter, the Prophet gave it to his companion, Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah, who traveled straight to Alexandria, where he quickly presented himself to Al-Muqawqis. Hatib opened his address to the Egyptian ruler with these words: “There lived before you a man who claimed to be the overall Lord of the Universe, but God smote him with the punishment of this life and the life to come. He used him to punish others before he himself was punished by God. Take heed, therefore, by what happened to others, before you are made an example to those who come after you.”
Al-Muqawqis asked Hatib to elaborate, and Hatib said:
We have a religion that we will never forsake unless we find another which is better. Our religion is Islam, with which God compensates all mankind for whatever else they lose. This Prophet of ours called people to believe in God. His fiercest opponents were the Quraysh, while the most hostile were the Jews. The Christians were the closest to him. I can assure you that as Moses gave the news that Jesus, son of Mary, would be sent as a messenger later, so did Jesus give the news of the appearance of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Our call on you to believe in the Qur’an is the same as your call on those who believe in the Torah to accept the Gospel. Any people who happened to be contemporaries of a new Prophet belonged to his nation, so they must follow him. You are certainly a contemporary of this Prophet. We do not forbid you to follow the faith of Jesus; indeed, we ask you to follow it.
Al-Muqawqis replied: “I have examined this matter and considered the message of this Prophet. I have found that he does not order anything that people are better advised to discard, or forbid anything which is not harmful. He is certainly neither a wicked sorcerer nor a lying fortune-teller. I have also found certain indications that confirm his prophethood. I will consider the matter further.”
Al-Muqawqis put the Prophet’s letter in a box made of ivory and sealed it. He called in someone who could write Arabic from among his people and wrote this reply:
“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent. To Muhammad ibn Abdullah from Al-Muqawqis, the chief of the Copts. Peace, I have read your letter and understood its contents and what you have called on me to do. I certainly know that one more prophet is to be sent, but I thought that he would appear in Syria. I have extended my hospitality to your messenger and I am sending you two maids who enjoy great respect among the Copts, and I am presenting you with clothes and a mule for you to ride. Peace be to you.”
Al-Muqawqis did not accept Islam, although he described to Hatib certain features which he knew to be applicable to the remaining prophet and which Hatib confirmed were true of Muhammad. Al-Muqawqis explained that his people would not accept his advice, should he give it, to follow the Prophet Muhammad and become Muslims. He also told him not to tell anybody about his discussion with him because he found it difficult to relinquish his kingdom. Al-Muqawqis also said that Islam was sure to spread into Egypt. He gave some gold clothes to Hatib as a personal gift.
When Hatib went back to Madinah and told the Prophet of his interview with Al-Muqawqis and the gifts he sent him, the Prophet said the man feared for his authority, which would not last.
Correspondence With the Bahrain Ruler
Another messenger the Prophet sent was Al-Ala’ ibn Al-Hadrami, who carried his message to Al-Mundhir ibn Sawa Al-Abdi, the ruler of Bahrain. The letter was in the same terms as the Prophet sent to other rulers. Al-Mundhir wrote back: “Messenger of God, I have read your letter to the people of Bahrain. Some of them liked it and they accepted Islam. Others refused. There are Magians and Jews among my population and I await your instructions.”
The Prophet wrote back to him:
“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent. From Muhammad, God’s messenger, to Al-Mundhir ibn Sawa. Peace be to you. I praise to you God Who has no partners, and I bear witness that there is no deity but God and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I remind you of God, the Almighty. He who does right, does it only unto himself; and he who obeys my messengers obeys me; and he who gives them sound counsel gives it to me. My messengers have praised you to me, and I accept your intercession on behalf of your people. Allow the Muslims among your people what they have in their hands. I pardon all those who have committed sins, so accept from them their pledges. We will not dismiss you from your office as long as you do well. Those who wish to stay Jews or Magians should pay a tribute as sign of their loyalty.”
Thus, the ruler of Bahrain gave a reply of total acceptance and remained a good Muslim until his death a few years later.