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The ruler of Greater Syria—Heraclius—was counted among the foremost scholars of Christianity. He knew with certainty that Muhammad ﷺ was truly the Messenger of Allah and resolved to enter Islam, but the worshippers of the cross refused to let him do so. Fearing them (1) for his own safety, he also clung to his sovereignty, even though he was aware that it would one day pass from him to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his community. We now relate his story.

In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs it is narrated from ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbbās that Abū Sufyān told him directly, saying:

“I set out during the armistice that existed between me and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. While I was in Syria, a letter from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was brought to Heraclius. Dihyah ibn Khalīfah had carried it, handed it to the governor of Busra (2), and the governor then delivered it to Heraclius. Heraclius asked, ‘Is there anyone here from the people of this man who claims to be a prophet?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ I was therefore summoned along with a group of Quraysh. We entered upon Heraclius; he seated us before him and placed my companions behind me. Then he called for his interpreter and said, ‘Tell them: I am going to question this man about the one who claims to be a prophet. If he lies to me, discredit him.’ Abū Sufyān continued, ‘By Allah, had I not feared that they would attribute a lie to me, I would have lied.’ (3)

“He then said to his interpreter, ‘Ask him: How is his lineage among you?’ I replied, ‘He is of noble lineage among us.’ He said, ‘Did any of his forefathers rule as a king?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Did you ever accuse him of lying before he made this claim?’ I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘And who follows him?’”