I also asked you, “Have you fought him?” You said that you had, and that the war between you and him goes back and forth—sometimes he prevails over you, and at other times you prevail over him. Such is the trial of the messengers; yet in the end the outcome is theirs. I asked you whether he ever breaks a covenant; you replied that he does not, and messengers do not betray.

I further asked you whether anyone had ever made this claim before him (1). You answered in the negative, and I said, “Had someone before him said it, I would have concluded that he was a man merely imitating what had already been uttered.” He then said, “What does he command you to do?” I replied, “He commands us to pray, to give alms, to uphold family ties, and to remain chaste.” He remarked, “If what you say is true, then he is a prophet. I already knew that one was about to appear, but I did not expect him to be from among you. If I were certain I could reach him, I would love to meet him (2); and were I with him, I would wash his feet. His rule will surely reach the ground beneath my own feet.”

He then called for the letter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and read it. It contained the following:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

From Muhammad (the Messenger of Allah) (3) to Heraclius, the great one of Byzantium.

Peace be upon whoever follows guidance. To proceed: I invite you with the call of Islam. Submit and you will be safe; submit and Allah will grant you your reward twice over. But if you turn away, then upon you will be the sin of the arīsiyyūn (4).”