—and their families as well.

Ibn Ishaq said: When the fortress was taken, everything was returned to them.

In the two Sahih collections there is a report narrated by Ibn ʿAbbas from Abu Sufyan ibn Harb—his conversation with Heraclius was cited at the very beginning of this book—in which he related that when Heraclius asked him about the qualities of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, he said:

“If what you say is true, then he is indeed a prophet. I already knew that he was soon to appear, though I did not expect him to come from among you. If I were sure that I could reach him, I would desire to meet him, and were I with him, I would wash his feet.”

Al-Bukhari adds in his version: Ibn an-Nātur said, “Heraclius…"