and so that the Word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers. If the two of you acknowledge Islam, I shall confirm you in your present posts (1); but if you both refuse, your realm will be taken from you, my cavalry will ride into your courtyard, and my prophethood will triumph over your sovereignty.”

He sealed the letter and dispatched it with ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ.

ʿAmr related: “I set out until I reached ʿUmān. On my arrival I first met ʿAbd (2)—the more forbearing of the two brothers and the gentler in temperament. I said, ‘I am the envoy of the Messenger of Allah to you and to your brother.’ He replied, ‘My brother is my senior in age and in authority; I shall escort you to him so that he may read (3) your letter.’ Then he asked, ‘What are you inviting us to?’ I said, ‘I invite you to Allah alone, without partner; that you renounce whatever is worshipped besides Him, and that you bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.’

He said, ‘O ʿAmr, you are a leader among your people. What became of your father?—for we regard him as an example.’ I answered, ‘He died without believing in Muhammad, and I would have loved for him to have embraced Islam and affirmed him. I myself once shared his view until Allah guided me to Islam.’

He asked, ‘When did you follow him?’ I replied, ‘Only recently.’ He inquired where my conversion had taken place, and I said, ‘With the Negus,’ and I informed him that the Negus had embraced Islam.

He asked, ‘How did his people treat his rule?’ I said, ‘They allowed him to remain.’

He said, ‘And the bishops and monks?’ I replied, ‘Yes—them as well.’