[The Arrival of Delegations to the Messenger as Proof of the Universality of His Mission]

As for the Christians, the people of Najran in Yemen were Christians, and a delegation of sixty riders came to him. He debated with them in his mosque, and Allah revealed, with regard to them, the opening passages of Surah Al ʿImran. When his argument prevailed against them and they realized that he was the Messenger of Allah sent to them, Allah commanded him—should they still refuse—to call them to the mubāhala (mutual invocation of Allah’s curse upon the liars). The Exalted said:

“If anyone disputes with you concerning him after the knowledge that has come to you, say: ‘Come—let us summon our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves—then let us pray earnestly and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.’” [Al ʿImran 61]

So when he invited them to the mubāhala, they asked him to grant them time so that they could consult one another.