The next morning I returned to him, but he refused to admit me. I went back to his brother and told him that I had not been able to reach him, whereupon his brother arranged another audience.

He said, “I have been thinking about what you have invited me to. If I hand over what is in my possession to another man, I shall be the weakest of all the Arabs. His cavalry cannot even reach this land, and if they were to arrive they would meet a kind of fighting unlike any they have faced.”

I replied, “In that case, I am departing tomorrow.”

When he became certain that I was really about to leave,(1) his brother took him aside and said, “Look at what he has already achieved, and everyone he sends to is answering his call.” At daybreak he sent for me; he and his brother both accepted Islam, affirmed the truthfulness of the Prophet ﷺ, entrusted to me the collection of alms and the judgment of matters among them, and became a support for me against those who opposed me.(2)

The Prophet ﷺ also wrote to Hawdha b. ʿAli al-Hanafi, the ruler of Yamama:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Hawdha b. ʿAli. Peace be upon whoever follows the guidance. Know that my religion will spread to the farthest reach of sandal and hoof. Embrace Islam and you will be safe; I shall confirm for you whatever is now under your control.”(3)

Present with Hawdha was the archon of Damascus, a leading notable among the Christians. Hawdha asked him about the Prophet ﷺ, saying, “A letter from him has reached me inviting me to Islam.”

The archon said, “Why do you not answer him?”

Hawdha replied, “I was protective of my religion, and I am the king of my people; if I follow him I will no longer rule.”

The archon answered, “Indeed, by Allah, if you follow him(4) he will most certainly grant you dominion, and the choice is yours in …”