Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 186

Chapter Eight 186 I have read your letter and have understood its contents, and that to which you have called me. I am aware that a prophet is yet to arise; but I am of the opinion that he will appear in Syria (not in Arabia). I have done honour to your envoy and I am sending you with him two damsels of high status among the Copts, raiment, and a mule for you to ride upon. Peace be with you! The two girls mentioned in this letter were Māriyah and Sīrīn. They were sisters, and belonged to the Coptic nation. Muqauqis himself belonged to the Coptic nation too. These girls enjoyed a high status in the Coptic nation as mentioned by Muqauqis in his letter. It appears that it was long-standing tradition among Egyptians to offer noble girls of their family or nation for marriage to those people with whom they wanted to further relationships. When Abraham as went to Egypt, the chief of Egypt presented him a noble girl (Hagar ra ) for marriage. Among the two girls sent by Muqauqis, Muḥammad sa married Māriyyah Qibṭiyyah, and her sister Sīrīn was married to the famous Arabian poet, Ḥassān bin Thābit Anṣārī ra. 1 Māriyyah is the same blessed lady who gave birth to Ibrāhīm, the son of Muḥammad sa , who was the only child born during his prophethood. The mule that was gifted to Muḥammad sa was called Duldul. Muḥammad sa often rode it, and also used this mule during the Ghazwah of Ḥunain. 2 The Letter to Negus, the King of Abyssinia Negus was the title of the kings in Abyssinia. The real name of Negus during the time of Muḥammad sa was Aṣḥamah bin Abjar, who was a good-natured king. During the time of Muḥammad sa in Makkah, when the disbelievers committed a large number of atrocities against the Muslims, Muḥammad sa sent many Companions 1 Az-Zarqānī, Māriyyah and Sīrīn. 2 Tārīkhul-Khamīs.