—to attack the Abyssinians. Chosroes therefore sent with him a contingent of Persian Magian (Zoroastrian) troops. They drove the Abyssinians out of Yemen, so the land fell back into Arab hands, although a Persian governor remained in charge. This same Sayf ibn Dhī Yazan was among those who had foretold the coming of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, before his appearance; he even informed the Prophet’s grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, of it when the latter visited him.

Once Yemen was obedient to Chosroes, the latter ordered his lieutenant there to bring him the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, for the Yemeni army was usually able to overpower the people of Mecca and Medina.

Ibn Ishaq says: I have been told that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “May Allah tear his kingdom apart,” when news reached him that Chosroes had ripped up his letter.

Chosroes then wrote to Badhan—his governor in Yemen—saying, “Send to that man in the Hijaz two robust men from your side; let them bring him to me.”

So Badhan dispatched