“But my Lord—mighty and majestic—has commanded me to let my beard grow and to trim my moustache.”

He then said to them, “Go back now and return to me tomorrow.”

The narrator relates: A message from heaven arrived, informing that Allah, exalted is He, had empowered Chosroes’ son Shirawayh to slay him; he killed him in such-and-such a month, on such-and-such a night, at such-and-such an hour. When the two envoys came back to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, he said to them:

“My Lord has killed your lord on such-and-such a night in such-and-such a month, after so-many hours of the night had passed. He set his son Shirawayh against him, and the son killed him.”

They retorted, “Do you realize what you are saying? We already had a grievance against you for something far less than this. Shall we write these words of yours and report them to the king?”

He answered, “Yes, convey that from me, and say to him: ‘My religion and my authority will spread as far as the realm of Chosroes has reached; it will extend to the very limits trodden by sandal and hoof. And say to him: if you accept Islam I will leave under your control whatever is now in your hands and will appoint you ruler over your people from among the Abnaʾ (Persian settlers).’ ”

He then presented his companion with a belt of gold and silver that one of the kings had once given him. The two envoys departed, came to Badhan, and reported the matter to him.