—Yūnus added: he had been a Christian and then embraced Islam—that the Messenger of Allah wrote to the people of Najrān:

“In the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

From Muḥammad, the Prophet, the Messenger of Allah, to the Bishop of Najrān and the people of Najrān.

Peace be upon you. I praise before you the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

To proceed: I invite you to worship Allah instead of worshipping His servants, and I invite you to the guardianship of Allah rather than the guardianship of men. If you refuse, then [agree to] the jizya; but if you refuse, I have informed you of a war from Allah (1). Peace.”

When the bishop received the letter and read it, it frightened him (2) and filled him with great alarm. He therefore sent for a man from ʿUmān (3) called Shuraḥbīl ibn Wādaʿah, of the tribe of Hamdān—no one was ever consulted on a difficult matter before him. The bishop handed him the letter of the Messenger of Allah, and he read it. The bishop asked, “What is your opinion, Abū Maryam?” Shuraḥbīl replied (4), “You know what Allah promised Abraham concerning the rise of prophethood from the descendants of Ishmael. How can we be certain that this man is not that promised one? I have no opinion in matters of prophethood; were it a worldly affair I would advise you and strive on your behalf.” The bishop said, “Step aside and sit down,” so he withdrew and sat to one side.

The bishop then summoned another man of Najrān, ʿAbd Allah ibn Shuraḥbīl, of Dhū Aṣbaḥ among Ḥimyar, read the letter to him, and asked his view. He answered in the same manner as Shuraḥbīl, whereupon the bishop told him to withdraw.