before him, and you said no. Had someone voiced such a claim before, I would have said that this man is merely imitating what had already been said.

I also asked you: ‘Was any one of his forefathers a king?’ You answered no. Had there been a king among his ancestors I would have thought that he seeks to reclaim his father’s throne.

Furthermore, I asked you: ‘Did you ever accuse him of lying before he said what he has said?’ You replied no; therefore I know that a man who refrains from lying to people would never lie about Allah.

I asked: ‘Do the nobles follow him or the weak?’ You stated that the weak follow him; they are indeed the followers of the messengers.

I asked you whether their numbers are increasing or diminishing; you said they are increasing, and such is the nature of faith until it is perfected.

I asked whether anyone apostatises, displeased with his religion, after entering it; you replied no—and when the sweetness of faith permeates the hearts, no one finds it burdensome.

I asked you whether he ever betrays, and you said no; the messengers never betray.

I asked: ‘What does he command you to do?’ You told me that he commands you to worship Allah alone without associating anything with Him, forbids you to worship idols, and orders you to perform the prayer, speak the truth, and remain chaste. If what you say is true, he will soon possess the very ground beneath these two feet of mine. I already knew that such a prophet was about to appear, but I did not imagine that he would come from among you. Had I been certain I could reach him, I would have undertaken the hardship of meeting him, and had I been in his presence I would have washed his feet.

He then called for the letter of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, which the Prophet had sent with Dihyah al-Kalbi to the governor of Busra; the governor forwarded it to Heraclius.