He then summoned an interpreter and said, “Which of you is most closely related to the man who claims to be a prophet?”
Abū Sufyān relates: “I replied, ‘I am the closest to him in lineage.’
“He said, ‘Bring him nearer to me and seat his companions behind him.’
“Then he told his interpreter, ‘Say to them: I am going to question this man about the one who claims to be a prophet. If he lies to me, contradict him. By God, were it not that they would brand me a liar, I would myself lie about him.’
“The first thing he asked was, ‘How is his lineage among you?’
“I answered, ‘He is of noble lineage.’
“He said, ‘Has anyone among you ever made such a claim before him?’
“I said, ‘No.’
“He said, ‘Was any of his forefathers a king?’
“I said, ‘No.’
“He said, ‘Do the nobles follow him or the weak?’
“I said, ‘Rather, the weak follow him.’
“He said, ‘Are they increasing or decreasing?’
“I said, ‘Indeed, they are increasing.’
“He said, ‘Does anyone among them renounce the religion, loathing it after entering it?’
“I said, ‘No.’
“He said, ‘Did you ever accuse him of lying before he made his claim?’
“I said, ‘No.’
“He said, ‘Is he treacherous?’
“I said, ‘No. We are presently in a truce with him, and we do not know what he will do during it.’
“(That was the only statement in which I managed to insert anything at all.)
“He said, ‘Have you fought against him?’
“I said, ‘Yes.’
“He said, ‘How did your battles with him go?’
“I said, ‘The war between us is back-and-forth: he inflicts losses on us and we on him.’
“He said, ‘What does he command you to do?’
“I said, ‘He says: Worship Allah alone and associate nothing with Him; abandon what your forefathers say. He commands us to pray, to speak truthfully, to practice chastity, and to maintain family ties.’
“Then he said to the interpreter, ‘Tell him: I asked you about his lineage, and you claimed that he is of noble birth among you. Such are the messengers—they are sent from the noblest families of their peoples. I asked you whether anyone before him had made this claim, and you said no; had someone done so, I would have said he is following a previous example. I asked whether any of his forefathers was a king, and you said no; had there been, I would have thought he was seeking his forefather’s kingdom. I asked whether you had ever accused him of lying before his claim, and you said no; so I know that he would not abandon lying about people only to lie about Allah. I asked whether the nobles or the weak follow him, and you said the weak do—and they are the followers of the messengers. I asked whether they are increasing or decreasing, and you said they are increasing—and thus is the matter of faith until it is complete. I asked whether anyone among them renounces the religion out of displeasure after entering it, and you said no—and thus is faith when its sweetness mingles with the hearts.
“I asked whether he is treacherous, and you said no—and the messengers do not betray. I asked what he commands you, and you said that he commands you to worship Allah alone without associating anything with Him, forbids you to worship idols, and enjoins prayer, truthfulness, and chastity. If what you say is true, he will soon possess the very ground beneath my feet. I already knew that a prophet was going to appear, but I did not think he would be from among you. Were I certain I could reach him, I would undertake the journey to meet him; and if I were in his presence, I would wash the dust from his feet.’
“He then called for the letter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that had been sent with Dihyah to the governor of Busra and handed it to Heraclius. In it was written:
‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad, the servant and Messenger of Allah, to Heraclius, ruler of Byzantium.
Peace be upon those who follow guidance.
To proceed:
I invite you with the call of Islam: embrace Islam and you will be safe; Allah will grant you your reward twice. But if you turn away, upon you shall rest the sin of the peasants (1).
And [Allah says]:
“O People of …”