Letters to the Kings
رسائل النبي إلى الملوك
Following Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ dispatched letters to the greatest rulers of the world — the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, the Persian Emperor Khosrow II, the Egyptian Muqawqis, and others — inviting them to Islam.
The Account
The Decision to Write to Kings
After the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah established relative peace, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah has sent me as a mercy to all of mankind. So convey from me, may Allah have mercy on you."
He had a seal made of silver, inscribed with "Muhammad, Messenger of Allah" — because he was told kings would not receive unsealed letters. Six ambassadors were sent simultaneously to the greatest empires of the age.
To Heraclius — Emperor of Byzantium
The letter read:
"In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Heraclius the great of Rome. Peace be upon those who follow the guidance. I invite you with the call of Islam: accept Islam and you will be safe. Accept Islam and Allah will give you a double reward. But if you refuse, the sin of the Arisiyin (subjects) will be upon you. 'Say: O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you...' (Al 'Imran: 64)"
Heraclius received the letter, questioned Abu Sufyan (who was in Syria for trade) about Muhammad ﷺ, and upon hearing the answers confirmed: "If what you say is true, then he will take over this land beneath my feet." He did not accept Islam publicly, fearing loss of his kingdom.
To Khosrow II — Emperor of Persia
When the letter reached the Persian emperor, he tore it to pieces in arrogance and wrote to his governor in Yemen to bring the Prophet ﷺ to him.
The Prophet ﷺ received news of this via revelation and said: "Allah will tear his kingdom as he tore my letter." The Persian empire was in disarray within years.
To Al-Muqawqis — Ruler of Egypt
The Egyptian ruler received the letter with respect, stored it carefully, but declined to accept Islam. He sent back valuable gifts including two Coptic slave women — one of whom, Maria al-Qibtiyyah RA, was later taken as a wife by the Prophet ﷺ and bore him his son Ibrahim.
To the Negus of Abyssinia
The Negus — already Muslim privately — accepted the letter warmly.
Significance
The letters are historically documented — the original letter to the Muqawqis was discovered in a monastery in Egypt in the 19th century CE, now in Istanbul's Topkapi Museum.
These letters demonstrate that the Prophet's ﷺ mission was universal — not limited to Arabs or a single region — and that he fulfilled his obligation to convey the message to all of humanity.
Hadith References
"Abu Sufyan narrated: Heraclius summoned him and asked about the Prophet ﷺ. After the questioning, Heraclius said: "If what you have told me is true, he will take ownership of the land beneath my feet. I knew his coming was expected, but I did not think he would be from you [Arabs].""
Relevance: The most famous historical testimony to the Prophet's ﷺ prophethood from an outside ruler
Scholar Views
"The letters to the kings were among the most significant acts of the Prophet's ﷺ prophethood. He was told: "O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord." (Al-Ma'idah: 67). He fulfilled this by reaching the greatest powers of his time."
Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya, Vol. 4
"Heraclius's private conviction that Muhammad ﷺ was a prophet — admitted to Abu Sufyan — alongside his political choice not to accept publicly, is one of history's great tragedies. He died without Islam despite knowing the truth."
Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, Letters to Kings chapter
Key Lessons
- ◆The obligation to convey Islam's message extends to all people — including heads of state and powerful rulers
- ◆The contrast between Khosrow (who tore the letter) and Heraclius (who respected it) mirrors the contrast in their kingdoms' fates
- ◆The historical preservation of these letters (one in Istanbul's museum today) confirms the authenticity of the Seerah accounts
- ◆The Prophet's ﷺ diplomatic skill — a sealed letter, correct titles, respectful language — shows that da'wah requires wisdom and professionalism
Sources
- •Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum — Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri
- •Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya — Ibn Kathir
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