God Arises
Affirmation of Prophethood
~ 267 ~
himself to send letters to the neighbouring kings,
calling them to Islam. Dihyah ibn Khalifah al Kalbi
was chosen as the Prophet’s emissary to Heraclius
and met him at the time of his victorious return
from the war with Persia during which he had
recovered the cross which had been taken away by
the Persians when they occupied Jerusalem. The
vow which Heraclius had made, namely, to make a
pilgrimage on foot to Jerusalem and return the cross
to its original place could now be fulfilled. It was on
this very pilgrimage to the city of Himes that
Muhammad’s message was received. Heraclius was
in no way upset by it and sent for some Arabs
belonging to Muhammad’s tribe, who had come to
Syria in a caravan of Quaraish6 traders, they duly
arrived at his court and Heraclius first inquired of
them as to who was the closest relative of the
person who had claimed prophethood in their city.
Abu Sufyan replied that he belonged to the
Prophet’s family. Here is a part of the ensuing
dialogue.
Heraclius: Have you ever heard him telling a lie
before he made this claim?
