Haroon Balogun

Since it is the season of letters, we deemed it necessary to dust the archives and bring one of the letters of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) to a number of ‘His excellencies’ during his era.

He had at a time when the Quraish became bitter enemies to Islam, when the pagans taunted and maltreated Muslims written several letters to the kings and emperors. Those letters could help to give us better understanding of his disposition towards rulers who were not of his faith and  how  called them to Islam with humility. One of these letters to Negus, King of Abyssinia, was carried by ‘Amr bin Umayya Damrira. It ran as follows:

“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful, Muhammad (saw), the Messenger of God, writes to the Negus, King of Abyssinia. O King, peace of God be upon you. I praise before you the One and Only God. None else is worthy of worship. He is the King of kings, the source of all excellences, free from all defects, He provides peace to all His servants and protects His creatures.

I bear witness that Jesus, son of Mary (as) was a Messenger of God, who came in fulfilment of promises made to Mary by God. Mary had consecrated her life to God. I invite you to join with me in attaching ourselves to the One and Only God and in obeying Him. I invite you also to follow me and believe in the God Who hath sent me. I am His Messenger.

I invite you and your people to join the Faith of the Almighty God. I discharge my duty hereby. I have delivered to you the Message of God, and made clear to you the meaning of this Message. I have done so in all sincerity and I trust you will value the sincerity which has prompted this message. He who obeys the guidance of God becomes heir to the blessings of God.”