and His raising of his renown. There is no group of people anywhere without having, in this very regard, incidents that serve as a lesson for those who think. Among the most widely known, oft-repeated, and personally verified experiences of the Muslim armies in al-Shām is that, when they besiege one of the fortresses of the People of the Scripture, the conquest of the stronghold becomes difficult and the siege drags on—until the enemy reviles the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. The moment that happens, the Muslims rejoice, sure of the imminent capture of the fortress and of Allah’s vengeance upon the foe, for the end comes swiftly thereafter. They have witnessed this time and again, in palpable fulfilment of the Almighty’s words:
“Indeed, it is your enemy who is cut off.” (al-Kawthar 3)

When Chosroes tore up the Prophet’s letter, Allah shredded the dominion of the Sasanian kings into pieces; whereas when Heraclius and al-Muqawqis honoured his letter, their reigns were allowed to endure.

[The Acceptance of His Supplications, peace be upon him, as Proofs of His Prophethood]

The eighth category concerns the answering of his supplications. Some answers are of the kind that many of Allah’s servants commonly experience—relief from poverty, good health, and the like. Others involve petitions whose fulfilment breaks ordinary norms: provisions of food and drink multiplied far beyond custom, or date-palms bearing fruit twice in one year, even though the normal pattern is