Letters to MonarchsWhen the Prophet (r) expressed his desire to send letters to the kings of the Arabs and
non-Arabs, the companions advised him to affix his seal on the letter for the kings usually
refuse to entertain the unsealed ones. The Prophet (r) accordingly stamped his letters to
them with a silver seal on which was engraved:
"Muhammed the Messenger of Allah." (Al-Bukhaari, Kitab-ul-Jihad and Shamail At-
Tirmidhi).
LETTERS OF THE Prophet (r)
Of the many letters sent by the Prophet (r), those written to Heraclius (the Byzantine
Emperor), Chosroes II (the Emperor of Iran), Negus (the king of Abyssinia) and Muqauqis
(the ruler of Egypt) are the most important.
The Prophet (r) wrote in this letter to Heraclius:
I begin with the name of Allah, the beneficient, the Merciful.
This letter is from Muhammed, the slave and Messenger of God, to Heraclius, the great
King of Rome. Blessed are those who follow the guidance. Verily I call you to Islam. Embrace
Islam that you may find peace, and God will give you a double reward. If you reject then on
you shall rest the sin of your subjects and followers.
O people of the Book come to that, which is common between you and us; that we will
serve none but Allah, nor associate aught with him, nor take others for lords besides God.
But if you turn away, then say: bear witness that we are Muslims.
The letter sent to the Chosroes II read:
I begin with the name of Allah, the beneficient, the Merciful. From Muhammed, the Mes-
senger of God (r), to Kisra, the great King of Persia.
Peace be upon him who follows the guidance, believes in Allah and His Prophet (r), bears
witness that there is no God but Allah and that I am the Prophet of Allah for the entire
humanity so that every man alive is warned of the awe of God. Embrace Islam that you may
find peace; otherwise on you shall rest the sin of the Magis. (Al-Tabari, Vol. III, p. 90)
In the letter addressed to Negus, the Prophet (r) had written:
"I begin with the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful.
From Muhammed, the Messenger of Allah (r), to Negus, the great King of Abyssinia.
Peace be upon him who follows the guidance.