Sahih al-Bukhari 4553

Hadith text

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:Abu Sufyan narrated to me personally, saying, "I set out during the Truce that had been concluded between me and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). While I was in Sham, a letter sent by the Prophet (ﷺ) was brought to Heraclius. Dihya Al-Kalbi had brought and given it to the governor of Busra, and the latter forwarded it to Heraclius. Heraclius said, 'Is there anyone from the people of this man who claims to be a prophet?' The people replied, 'Yes.' So I along with some of Quraishi men were called and we entered upon Heraclius, and we were seated in front of him. Then he said, 'Who amongst you is the nearest relative to the man who claims to be a prophet?' So they made me sit in front of him and made my companions sit behind me. Then he called upon his translator and said (to him), 'Tell them (i.e. Abu Sufyan's companions) that I am going to ask him (i.e. Abu Sufyan) regarding that man who claims to be a prophet. So, if he tells me a lie, they should contradict him (instantly).' By Allah, had I not been afraid that my companions would consider me a liar, I would have told lies. Heraclius then said to his translator, 'Ask him: What is his (i.e. the Prophet's) family status amongst you? I said, 'He belongs to a noble family amongst us." Heraclius said, 'Was any of his ancestors a king?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Did you ever accuse him of telling lies before his saying what he has said?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Do the nobles follow him or the poor people?' I said, 'It is the poor who followed him.' He said, 'Is the number of his followers increasing or decreasing?' I said, 'They are increasing.' He said, 'Does anyone renounce his religion (i.e. Islam) after embracing it, being displeased with it?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Did you fight with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' He said, 'How was your fighting with him?' I said, 'The fighting between us was undecided and victory was shared by him and us by turns. He inflicts casualties upon us and we inflict casualties upon him.' He said, 'Did he ever betray?' I said, 'No, but now we are away from him in this truce and we do not know what he will do in it" Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah, I was not able to insert in my speech a word (against him) except that. Heraclius said, 'Did anybody else (amongst you) ever claim the same (i.e. Islam) before him?' I said, 'No.' Then Heraclius told his translator to tell me (i.e. Abu Sufyan), 'I asked you about his family status amongst you, and you told me that he comes from a noble family amongst you. Verily, all Apostles come from the noblest family among their people. Then I asked you whether any of his ancestors was a king, and you denied that. Thereupon I thought that had one of his fore-fathers been a king, I would have said that he (i.e. Muhammad) was seeking to rule the kingdom of his fore-fathers. Then I asked you regarding his followers, whether they were the noble or the poor among the people, and you said that they were only the poor (who follow him). In fact, such are the followers of the Apostles. Then I asked you whether you have ever accused him of telling lies before saying what he said, and your reply was in the negative. Therefore, I took for granted that a man who did not tell a lie about others, could ever tell a lie about Allah. Then I asked you whether anyone of his followers had renounced his religion (i.e. Islam) after embracing it, being displeased with it, and you denied that. And such is Faith when it mixes with the cheerfulness of the hearts. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You claimed that they were increasing. That is the way of true faith till it is complete. Then I asked you whether you had ever fought with him, and you claimed that you had fought with him and the battle between you and him was undecided and the victory was shared by you and him in turns; he inflicted casualties upon you and you inflicted casualties upon them. Such is the case with the Apostles; they are put to test and the final victory is for them. Then I asked you whether he had ever betrayed; you claimed that he had never betrayed. Indeed, Apostles never betray. Then I asked you whether anyone had said this statement before him; and you denied that. Thereupon I thought if somebody had said that statement before him, then I would have said that he was but a man copying some sayings said before him." Abu Sufyan said, "Heraclius then asked me, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He orders us (to offer) prayers and (to pay) Zakat and to keep good relationship with the Kith and kin and to be chaste.' Then Heraclius said, 'If whatever you have said, is true, he is really a prophet, and I knew that he ( i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) ) was going to appear, but I never thought that he would be from amongst you. If I were certain that I can reach him, I would like to meet him and if I were with him, I would wash his feet; and his kingdom will expand (surely to what is under my feet).' Then Heraclius asked for the letter of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and read it wherein was written: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. This letter is from Muhammad, Apostle of Allah, to Heraclius, the sovereign of Byzantine........ Peace be upon him who follows the Right Path. Now then, I call you to embrace Islam. Embrace Islam and you will be saved (from Allah's Punishment); embrace Islam, and Allah will give you a double reward, but if you reject this, you will be responsible for the sins of the tillers (i.e. the people of your kingdom) and (Allah's Statement):--"O the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship None but Allah....bear witness that we are Muslims.' (3.64) When he finished reading the letter, voices grew louder near him and there was a great hue and cry, and we were ordered to go out." Abu Sufyan added, "While coming out, I said to my companions, 'The situation of Ibn Abu Kabsha (i.e. Muhammad) has become strong; even the king of Banu Al-Asfar is afraid of him.' So I continued to believe that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would be victorious, till Allah made me embrace Islam." Az-Zuhri said, "Heraclius then invited all the chiefs of the Byzantines and had them assembled in his house and said, 'O group of Byzantines! Do you wish to have a permanent success and guidance and that your kingdom should remain with you?' (Immediately after hearing that), they rushed towards the gate like onagers, but they found them closed. Heraclius then said, 'Bring them back to me.' So he called them and said, 'I just wanted to test the strength of your adherence to your religion. Now I have observed of you that which I like.' Then the people fell in prostration before him and became pleased with him." (See Hadith No. 6,Vol)

Ibn Abbas bataate hain ke Abu Sufyan ne unhe khud bataya: 'Main us sulah ke dauraan (Sham) nikla tha jo mere aur Allah ke Rasool (SAW) ke darmiyaan hui thi. Main Sham mein tha jab Nabi (SAW) ka bheja hua khat Heraclius (Rome ke baadshaah) ke paas laaya gaya. Dihya Al-Kalbi ne wo khat Busra ke haakim ko diya tha aur usne aage Heraclius tak pahunchaaya. Heraclius ne pucha, "Kya yahaan is shaks ke logon mein se koi hai jo Nabi hone ka dava karta hai?" Logon ne kaha, "Haan." To mujhe aur kuch Quraishi aadmiyon ko bulaaya gaya aur hum Heraclius ke saamne baithaaye gaye. Usne pucha, "Tum mein se is Nabi ke dava karne wale se sabse zyaada qareebi rishtedaar kaun hai?" To mujhe uske saamne baithaaya gaya aur mere saathiyon ko mere peechhe. Usne apne tarjuman se kaha, "Unhe bata do ke main is shaks se us aadmi ke baare mein sawaal karunga jo Nabi hone ka dava karta hai. Agar wo jhoot bole, to ye log turant usse jhutla dein." Allah ki qasam, agar mujhe apne saathiyon ke saamne jhoota kehlaane ka dar na hota, to shaayad main jhoot bol deta. Heraclius ne apne tarjuman se kaha, "Usse pucho: unke darmiyaan uska khaandaani martaba kaisa hai?" Maine kaha, "Wo humare beech ek izzatdaar khaandaan se hain." Usne pucha, "Kya unke baap-dadaon mein koi baadshaah tha?" Maine kaha, "Nahi." Usne pucha, "Unke ye baatein kehne se pehle, kya tumne kabhi unhe jhoot bolte pakda tha?" Maine kaha, "Nahi." Usne pucha, "Kya izzatdaar log unki pairvi karte hain ya gareeb log?" Maine kaha, "Gareeb log hi unki pairvi karte hain." Usne pucha, "Kya unke maanne walon ki tadaad badh rahi hai ya ghat rahi hai?" Maine kaha, "Badh rahi hai." Usne pucha, "Kya koi unka deen qubool karne ke baad usse naaraaz hokar wapas mud jaata hai?" Maine kaha, "Nahi." Usne pucha, "Kya tumne unse jang ki hai?" Maine kaha, "Haan." Usne pucha, "Wo jang kaisi rahi?" Maine kaha, "Humari aur unki jang mein kabhi hum jeette, kabhi wo jeette, kabhi wo hamein nuqsaan pahunchaate, kabhi hum unhe." Usne pucha, "Kya unhone kabhi ahad-shikani (waada-khilaafi) ki hai?" Maine kaha, "Nahi, magar abhi hum sulah ki wajah se unse door hain, aage kya hoga hume nahi pata." (Abu Sufyan kehte hain:) Allah ki qasam, main iske siwa unke khilaaf koi aisi baat nahi kaha jo unke liye nuqsaandeh ho. Usne pucha, "Kya unse pehle kisi aur ne bhi (Nabuwwat ka) aisa hi dava kiya tha?" Maine kaha, "Nahi." Phir Heraclius ne apne tarjuman se mujhe kehlaaya, "Maine tumse unka khaandaani martaba pucha, tumne kaha wo izzatdaar khaandaan se hain - haqeeqat mein sab Nabi apni qaum ke behtareen khaandaanon se hi aate hain. Maine pucha kya unke baap-dadaon mein koi baadshaah tha, tumne inkaar kiya - agar aisa hota to main sochta ke wo apne baap-dadaon ki saltanat wapas paane ki koshish kar rahe hain. Maine pucha unke maanne wale izzatdaar hain ya gareeb, tumne kaha sirf gareeb log unki pairvi karte hain - aur yahi Rasoolon ke maanne wale hote hain. Maine pucha kya unhe jhoot bolte pakda tha is dava se pehle, tumne inkaar kiya - to main jaan gaya ke jo insaanon se jhoot nahi bolta wo Allah par jhoot kaise bandhega. Maine pucha kya koi unka deen chhod kar wapas mudta hai, tumne inkaar kiya - aisa hi Iman hota hai jab dilon mein poora utar jaaye. Maine pucha unke maanne walon ki tadaad badh rahi hai ya ghat, tumne kaha badh rahi hai - yahi sacche Iman ka raasta hai jab tak wo mukammal na ho jaaye. Maine pucha kya tumne unse jang ki, tumne kaha ki aur bataya ke jeet-haar barabar rahi, kabhi wo tumhe nuqsaan dete kabhi tum unhe - yahi Rasoolon ka tareeka hota hai, unhe aazmaaya jaata hai magar aakhir mein jeet unhi ki hoti hai. Maine pucha kya unhone kabhi ahad tori, tumne inkaar kiya - Rasool kabhi ahad nahi todte. Maine pucha kya unse pehle kisi aur ne aisa dava kiya, tumne inkaar kiya - agar aisa hota to main sochta ke ye shaks pehle kahi hui baat dohara raha hai." Abu Sufyan ne aage kaha, 'Phir Heraclius ne pucha, "Wo tumhe kya karne ka hukm dete hain?" Maine kaha, "Namaz padhne, Zakat dene, rishtedaari nibhaane aur pakeezgi (paakbaazi) ikhtiyaar karne ka." Isper Heraclius ne kaha, "Agar tumne jo bataya wo sach hai, to wo waaqai Nabi hain, aur mujhe pehle se pata tha ke wo aane wale hain, magar mujhe khayaal nahi tha ke wo tum mein se honge. Agar mujhe yaqeen hota ke main unke paas pahunch sakta hoon, to main zaroor unse milta, aur agar main unke paas hota to unke pair dhota; aur unki saltanat wahaan tak phailegi jahaan is waqt mere pair hain." Phir Heraclius ne Allah ke Rasool (SAW) ka khat mangwaaya aur padha, usmein likha tha: "Allah ke naam se jo bada meharbaan, nihaayat reham karne wala hai. Ye khat Muhammad, Allah ke Rasool, ki taraf se hai, Heraclius, Rome ke baadshaah, ke naam... Salaam ho us par jo Hidaayat ki pairvi kare. Ab, main tumhein Islam ki taraf bulaata hoon. Islam qubool karo, aamaan mein rahoge; Islam qubool karo, Allah tumhe dohra ajr dega, magar agar tum inkaar karo, to apni raaya (praja) ke gunaahon ka bojh bhi tum par hoga." Aur (khat mein ye Aayat bhi thi): "Aye Ahl-e-Kitaab! Aao us baat ki taraf jo hamare aur tumhare darmiyaan yaksaan hai - ke hum sirf Allah ki ibaadat karein... aur gawaahi do ke hum farmaabardaar (Muslim) hain." (3:64) Jab usne khat padhna khatam kiya, to uske aas-paas shor aur cheekh-pukaar badh gayi, aur humein baahar nikal jaane ka hukm diya gaya.' Abu Sufyan ne aage kaha, 'Baahar nikalte waqt maine apne saathiyon se kaha, "Ibn Abi Kabsha (yaani Muhammad) ka maamla to bahut zor pakad chuka hai, ab to Banu Al-Asfar (Rome) ka baadshaah bhi unse darta hai." Aur main isi yaqeen par rehta raha ke Allah ke Rasool (SAW) ki fatah honi hai, yahaan tak ke Allah ne mujhe bhi Islam qubool karne ki taufeeq di.' Ravi Az-Zuhri kehte hain: Heraclius ne baad mein Rome ke sab sardaaron ko apne mahal mein bulaaya aur unse kaha, 'Aye Rome ke logo! Kya tum chahte ho ke tumhein hamesha ki kaamyaabi aur hidaayat mile aur tumhari saltanat qaayam rahe?' Ye sunte hi wo darwaaze ki taraf bhaage jaise jangli gadhe, magar darwaaze band mil gaye. Heraclius ne kaha, 'Unhe wapas laao.' Jab wo wapas aaye to usne kaha, 'Main to sirf tumhare deen ke saath tumhari wafaadaari ki jaanch kar raha tha, aur ab maine tum mein wo dekh liya hai jo mujhe pasand hai.' Isper log uske saamne sajde mein gir gaye aur uske saath raazi ho gaye.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4553 · Book 65, Hadith 75