The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 190
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 190 “The Holy Prophet sa sent a letter to Caesar inviting him to Islām and sent this letter with Diḥyah Kalbī. The Holy Prophet sa instructed him to hand it over to the Governor of Buṣrā to forward it to Caesar. In this era, as a sign of gratitude for having defeated the Persian forces, the Ceasar of Rome travelled from Ḥimṣ to Īlyā by foot and it was in Īlyā (i. e. Jeruselum) that the letter of the Holy Prophet sa reached Caesar. When Ceasar read this letter, he ordered that an individual from the people of this claimant to prophethood be sought out and presented before him. Ibni ‘Abbās relates that I found out from Abū Sufyān that in those days he had gone to Syria with some of his associates for the purpose of trade and this was the era after the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah. Abū Sufyān said, Ceasar’s men found us, took us to Īlyā and presented us before Ceasar. At the time, Ceasar was seated in his royal court with all his majesty wearing his crown and he was surrounded by the senior dignitaries of the Byzantine Empire. Caesar said to his translator to ask them who amongst them is closest in relation to this claimant of prophethood. Abū Sufyān said, I am closest in relation to Muḥammad sa and he is the son of my paternal uncle. Abū Sufyān relates that Ceasar called me closer to him and ordered my companions to stand before him, but to my back. Then he told his translator to tell my companions that I desire to ask various questions of him about the man who claims to be a prophet. Hence, if Abū Sufyān tells a lie, you are to point it out to me immediately. Abū Sufyān added, By Allāh, had it not been shameful to me that my companions label me a liar, I would indeed have lied at this occasion, but I was compelled to speak the truth. After this, Caesar began his questions by means of his translator: Caesar: What sort of a family does this claimant belong to? Abū Sufyān: He is of respectable lineage among us and belongs to a noble family. Ceasar: Prior to this, has anyone else among you ever made a similar claim? Abū Sufyān: No. Ceasar: Prior to this claim, have you ever heard of this claimant being alleged to have told a lie?