and twenty garments of fine white Egyptian linen, a grey mule named Duldul, a grey donkey named ‘Ufayr, a eunuch slave named Ma’būr—said to be Māriyah’s paternal cousin—a horse named al-Lizāz, a glass cup, and honey (1). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The wicked man has clung to his kingdom, but his kingdom will not endure” (2).

He sent Shujā‘ ibn Wahb al-Asadī to al-Hārith ibn Abī Shimr al-Ghassānī, king of al-Balqā’, according to Ibn Ishāq (3) and al-Wāqidī (4). It is also said (5) that he went only to Jabalah ibn al-Ayham; another account states (6) that he went to both of them; and another (7) that he went to Heraclius with Dihyah ibn Khalīfah. Allah knows best.

He sent Salīt ibn ‘Amr to Hawdhah ibn ‘Alī al-Hanafī in al-Yamāmah, who honoured him. It is also said (8) that he sent him to both Hawdhah and Thumāmah ibn Uthāl al-Hanafī. Hawdhah did not embrace Islam, whereas Thumāmah embraced Islam later.

These six are said to have been the envoys whom the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, dispatched on a single day.