The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 194
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 194 Abū Sufyān narrates that when this discussion and the reading out of the letter had been done, there was a great outcry by the Roman Governors, and there was so much noise that I could not understand what they were saying. At that time, we were ordered to leave the court. When I went out with my companions and found an opportunity to speak to them alone, I said to them, ‘The affair of Muḥammad sa has gained strength, for even the Emperor of Rome fears him. After this, I always felt myself to be low and insignificant. My heart was firm in the belief that Muḥammad sa would be victorious, until Allāh entered Islām into my heart, though I disliked it before. ’ 1 A similar narration is also found in Bukhārī, in the chapter relating to the start of revelation. Ṭabarī, Ibni Isḥāq and the narrations of all the other historians with slight differences in wording, support this narration. Moreover, for a comprehensive account, Fatḥul-Bārī, Tārīkhul-Khamīs and Zarqānī are without equal. At this occasion, due to the opposition of his high courtiers and particularly the religious leaders, although Heraclius remained silent, it seems as if the letter of the Holy Prophet sa as well as subsequent and latter circumstances had made a deep impression upon his disposition. When he returned from Īlyā and went to Ḥimṣ again, during this time he had also received the letter from the scholar in Rumiyyah in which he had supported the opinion of Heraclius, in that it seems that a prophet is to be raised at this time. Upon this, Heraclius called upon the leaders of the Roman Empire once again and gathered them in his castle at Ḥimṣ. With the thought of secrecy, behind closed doors he addressed the Governors of Rome once more saying, “O Ye leaders of my empire, if you desire your own betterment and prosperity, and you wish to save yourselves from ruin and tread the path of success, and are desirous of saving your country from ruin, then it is my suggestion that you accept the prophet which has been raised in the land of Arabia. ” Upon hearing this, the courtiers of Caesar began to lose control like a wild donkey, and tried to rush out of Caesar’s gathering. However, Caesar had the doors closed in his farsightedness. He immediately called these arrogant Governors and Bishops back again and lovingly said to them, “I was only testing your faith. Thank God you have proven to be steadfast. ” When the courtiers of Caesar noticed this change in their King, they were gladdened, and in their happiness, fell before 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihādi Was-Siyar, Bābu Du‘ā’in-Nabiyyi sa Ilal-Islāmi Wan-Nubuwwati. . . , Ḥadīth No. 2941