about people and then lie about Allah. I asked you whether the prominent people followed him or the weak among them, and you said that the weak followed him; they are the followers of the messengers. I asked you whether they were increasing or decreasing, and you said that they were increasing; such is the course of faith until it reaches completion. I asked you whether anyone renounces his religion out of displeasure with it after entering it, and you said no; such is faith when its sweetness permeates the hearts. I asked you whether he betrays, and you said no; likewise, messengers do not betray. I asked you what he commands you, and you said that he commands you to worship Allah and associate nothing with Him; that he forbids you from worshipping idols; and that he commands you to pray, speak truthfully, and remain chaste. If what you say is true, he will surely rule the very ground beneath these two feet of mine. I had known that he was to appear, but I did not think that he would be from among you. Had I known that I could reach him, I would have endured the hardship of meeting him; and had I been with him, I would have washed his feet.”

He then called for the letter of the Messenger of Allah, which Dihyah had sent to the governor of Busra, and which was delivered to Heraclius. He read it, and it contained … and he quoted it.

Abu Sufyan said: When he had said what he said and finished reading the letter, there was a great commotion in his court, voices were raised, and we were ordered out. When we had been taken out, I said to my companions, “The affair of Ibn Abi Kabshah has become formidable! Even the king of the yellow people fears him.” I remained certain that he would prevail until Allah brought me to Islam.

Ibn al-Natur, the ruler of Aelia, related that Heraclius, who was the ecclesiastical head of the Christians of Syria, became ill at ease one morning when he arrived in Aelia. Some of his nobles said, “We find your appearance unusual.” Ibn al-Natur said: Heraclius was an astrologer who observed the stars. When they questioned him, he said, “Last night, when I looked at the stars, I saw that the rule of those who practise circumcision had appeared. Which people of this nation practise circumcision?” They said, “No one practises circumcision except the Jews, so do not concern yourself with them. Write to the cities of your realm, ordering them to kill the Jews among them.” While they were engaged in this matter, Heraclius was brought