of al-Shām, and he used to relate that when Heraclius reached Aelia he awoke one morning in a foul mood. Some of his leading patricians said to him, “We find your appearance strange today.”

Ibn al-Natour continued: Heraclius was a diviner who consulted the stars. When they asked him about his state he replied, “Last night, while observing the heavens, I saw that the king of the circumcised has arisen. Which people in this nation practise circumcision?”

They answered, “Only the Jews are circumcised, so do not concern yourself with them. Instead, send orders to the cities of your dominion that every Jew therein be killed.”

While they were still engaged in this, a man sent by the king of Ghassan—bearing news about the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was brought before Heraclius. After questioning him, Heraclius said, “Go and see whether he is circumcised or not.” They examined him and reported back that he was indeed circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs, and the man replied, “They are circumcised.”

Heraclius declared, “Then the sovereign of this nation has appeared.” He wrote to a colleague of his in Rome—his equal in learning—and travelled on to Homs. There he received a letter from that colleague confirming Heraclius’s own view regarding the emergence of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.