1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:03,419 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,419 --> 00:00:06,900 Treasures of the Prophetic biography (Seerah). 3 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:17,140 The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) correspondence with kings. 4 00:00:17,140 --> 00:00:19,140 Following the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. 5 00:00:19,140 --> 00:00:23,739 The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent letters to kings and rulers, 6 00:00:23,739 --> 00:00:26,739 Inviting them to Allah, the Blessed and Exalted. 7 00:00:26,739 --> 00:00:30,739 He (peace be upon him) dispatched many such letters, 8 00:00:30,739 --> 00:00:33,140 Of which we shall mention two. 9 00:00:33,340 --> 00:00:36,340 The first is his letter to Khosrow. 10 00:00:36,340 --> 00:00:38,380 It stated: 11 00:00:38,380 --> 00:00:41,380 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 12 00:00:41,380 --> 00:00:43,380 From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, 13 00:00:43,380 --> 00:00:45,380 To Khosrow, the Chosroes of Persia. 14 00:00:45,380 --> 00:00:48,380 “So go ye unto him and say: Lo! we are two messengers of thy Lord. So let the children of Israel go with us, and torment them not. We bring thee a token from thy Lord. And peace will be for him who followeth right guidance.” (20:47) 15 00:00:48,380 --> 00:00:50,380 Believe in Allah and His Messenger, 16 00:00:50,380 --> 00:00:54,380 And bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, 17 00:00:54,380 --> 00:00:57,380 And that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. 18 00:00:57,380 --> 00:01:00,380 I invite you with the call of Allah, 19 00:01:00,579 --> 00:01:04,579 For I am the Messenger of Allah to all mankind. 20 00:01:04,579 --> 00:01:06,579 “To warn whosoever liveth, and that the word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers.” (36:70) 21 00:01:06,579 --> 00:01:09,579 “To warn whosoever liveth, and that the word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers.” (36:70) 22 00:01:09,579 --> 00:01:11,579 Embrace Islam and you will be safe. 23 00:01:11,579 --> 00:01:12,579 But if you refuse, 24 00:01:12,579 --> 00:01:15,859 Then the sin of the Magians shall be upon you. 25 00:01:15,859 --> 00:01:19,859 The Prophet (peace be upon him) chose to carry this letter, 26 00:01:19,859 --> 00:01:23,859 Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah al-Sahmi (may Allah be pleased with him). 27 00:01:23,859 --> 00:01:27,959 Al-Sahmi delivered it to the governor of Bahrain. 28 00:01:28,159 --> 00:01:31,159 When the letter reached Khosrow, 29 00:01:31,159 --> 00:01:33,159 He tore it up and said in his arrogance, 30 00:01:33,159 --> 00:01:36,159 Regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 31 00:01:36,159 --> 00:01:39,159 "A lowly slave from among my subjects 32 00:01:39,159 --> 00:01:41,159 Writes his name before mine?" 33 00:01:41,159 --> 00:01:45,290 When this reached the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 34 00:01:45,290 --> 00:01:46,290 He said: 35 00:01:46,290 --> 00:01:48,290 "May Allah tear his kingdom apart." 36 00:01:48,290 --> 00:01:51,609 And it happened just as he said. 37 00:01:51,609 --> 00:01:55,609 Khosrow had written to Badhan, his governor in Yemen, 38 00:01:55,810 --> 00:01:57,810 "Send to this man 39 00:01:57,810 --> 00:02:00,810 Who is in the Hijaz two of your strongest men, 40 00:02:00,810 --> 00:02:02,810 So that they may bring him to me." 41 00:02:02,810 --> 00:02:05,840 Badhan chose two men from his side, 42 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:10,840 And sent them with a letter to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 43 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:14,840 Ordering him to depart with them to Khosrow. 44 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,840 This was a strange command from this man, 45 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:18,840 That is, Khosrow. 46 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,840 He underestimated the Arabs, 47 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,840 So he did not send an army, 48 00:02:24,039 --> 00:02:30,039 Nor even a small detachment to fetch the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 49 00:02:30,039 --> 00:02:32,039 But rather sent only two men 50 00:02:32,039 --> 00:02:36,039 To bring the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to him. 51 00:02:36,039 --> 00:02:40,039 Such was the view of Persia and Rome toward the Arabs; 52 00:02:40,039 --> 00:02:44,039 They despised them and considered them of no account. 53 00:02:44,039 --> 00:02:47,039 But Allah, the Majestic and Exalted, honored them through Islam. 54 00:02:47,039 --> 00:02:50,039 It was only a few years, 55 00:02:50,039 --> 00:02:53,039 Before Islam emerged, 56 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:57,240 And Allah, the Majestic and Exalted, ended the entire Persian empire. 57 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:01,300 This is the grace of Allah, the Glorified and Exalted. 58 00:03:01,300 --> 00:03:03,300 It has been mentioned in the hadith 59 00:03:03,300 --> 00:03:08,300 That these two men came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), 60 00:03:08,300 --> 00:03:12,340 Having shaved their beards and let their mustaches grow long. 61 00:03:12,340 --> 00:03:16,340 When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw them, 62 00:03:16,340 --> 00:03:20,340 He turned away from them and disliked looking at them. 63 00:03:20,539 --> 00:03:24,539 Then he said, "Who commanded you to do this?" 64 00:03:24,539 --> 00:03:27,539 Referring to letting the mustache grow and shaving the beard. 65 00:03:27,539 --> 00:03:29,539 They said, "Our lord." 66 00:03:29,539 --> 00:03:32,539 The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, 67 00:03:32,539 --> 00:03:38,629 "As for my Lord, He has commanded me to let my beard grow and to trim my mustache." 68 00:03:38,629 --> 00:03:42,629 This is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), 69 00:03:42,629 --> 00:03:44,729 And this is his guidance. 70 00:03:44,729 --> 00:03:48,729 The second is his letter to Heraclius. 71 00:03:48,930 --> 00:03:51,930 Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) recorded 72 00:03:51,930 --> 00:03:53,930 On the authority of Abdullah Ibn Abbas, 73 00:03:53,930 --> 00:03:56,930 That Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb informed him, 74 00:03:56,930 --> 00:03:58,930 Abu Sufyan said: 75 00:03:58,930 --> 00:04:00,930 "We were merchants in the Levant, 76 00:04:00,930 --> 00:04:04,930 And Heraclius sent for me and those who were with me, 77 00:04:04,930 --> 00:04:09,930 During the period when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 78 00:04:09,930 --> 00:04:12,930 Had a truce with Abu Sufyan and the disbelievers of Quraysh. 79 00:04:12,930 --> 00:04:15,930 We came to him while he was in Iliya (Jerusalem). 80 00:04:16,129 --> 00:04:20,129 He summoned us to his court, with the Roman dignitaries around him, 81 00:04:20,129 --> 00:04:23,129 And he called for his translator and said, 82 00:04:23,129 --> 00:04:28,129 'Which of you is closest in lineage to this man who claims to be a prophet?'" 83 00:04:28,129 --> 00:04:30,129 Abu Sufyan said, 84 00:04:30,129 --> 00:04:33,129 "I am the closest of them in lineage." 85 00:04:33,129 --> 00:04:35,189 For Abu Sufyan 86 00:04:35,189 --> 00:04:37,189 Is Sakhr Ibn Harb Ibn Umayyah, 87 00:04:37,189 --> 00:04:40,189 Ibn Abd Shams Ibn Abd Manaf. 88 00:04:40,189 --> 00:04:43,189 And the Prophet (peace be upon him) 89 00:04:43,389 --> 00:04:46,389 Is Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abd al-Muttalib, 90 00:04:46,389 --> 00:04:48,389 Ibn Hashim Ibn Abd Manaf. 91 00:04:48,389 --> 00:04:52,389 So the fourth ancestor of Abu Sufyan is Abd Shams, 92 00:04:52,389 --> 00:04:57,389 And the fourth ancestor of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is Hashim. 93 00:04:57,389 --> 00:04:59,389 Hashim and Abd Shams 94 00:04:59,389 --> 00:05:01,389 Were twin brothers, 95 00:05:01,389 --> 00:05:03,389 Their father being Abd Manaf. 96 00:05:03,389 --> 00:05:06,389 He said, "Bring him close to me." 97 00:05:06,389 --> 00:05:11,389 He said, "And place his companions behind his back." 98 00:05:11,589 --> 00:05:13,589 Then he said to his translator, 99 00:05:13,589 --> 00:05:14,589 "Tell them: 100 00:05:14,589 --> 00:05:17,589 I am going to ask him about this man, 101 00:05:17,589 --> 00:05:19,589 So if he lies to me, you must call him a liar." 102 00:05:19,589 --> 00:05:21,620 Abu Sufyan said, 103 00:05:21,620 --> 00:05:26,620 "By Allah, were it not for the shame of them reporting a lie against me, I would have lied." 104 00:05:26,620 --> 00:05:30,620 Then the first thing he asked me about was: 105 00:05:30,620 --> 00:05:32,620 "How is his lineage among you?" 106 00:05:32,620 --> 00:05:33,620 I said, 107 00:05:33,620 --> 00:05:35,620 "He is of noble lineage among us." 108 00:05:35,620 --> 00:05:38,620 In one narration, he said, 109 00:05:38,620 --> 00:05:40,620 "He is of the most middle (best) of us in lineage." 110 00:05:40,819 --> 00:05:43,819 Meaning, of the best of us in lineage. 111 00:05:43,819 --> 00:05:45,819 The middle of a thing is its best part, 112 00:05:45,819 --> 00:05:47,819 Like the jewel in a necklace, 113 00:05:47,819 --> 00:05:49,819 The centerpiece of the necklace. 114 00:05:49,819 --> 00:05:52,819 Likewise, it is said regarding the afternoon prayer, 115 00:05:52,819 --> 00:05:54,819 The 'middle prayer' (al-salat al-wusta), 116 00:05:54,819 --> 00:05:57,819 As Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said: 117 00:05:57,819 --> 00:06:00,819 “Be guardians of your prayers, and of the midmost prayer, and stand up with devotion to Allah.” (2:238) 118 00:06:00,819 --> 00:06:02,819 Meaning, the most excellent. 119 00:06:02,819 --> 00:06:04,920 Heraclius said, 120 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,920 "Has anyone among you ever said this before him?" 121 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:10,980 I said, "No." 122 00:06:10,980 --> 00:06:14,980 He said, "Was there any king among his forefathers?" 123 00:06:14,980 --> 00:06:17,019 I said, "No." 124 00:06:17,019 --> 00:06:21,019 He said, "Do the noble people follow him, or the weak ones?" 125 00:06:21,019 --> 00:06:24,019 I said, "Rather, the weak ones." 126 00:06:24,019 --> 00:06:28,019 He said, "Are they increasing or decreasing?" 127 00:06:28,019 --> 00:06:30,019 I said, "Rather, they are increasing." 128 00:06:30,019 --> 00:06:36,019 He said, "Does anyone among them apostatize out of dissatisfaction with his religion after entering it?" 129 00:06:36,019 --> 00:06:38,139 I said, "No." 130 00:06:38,139 --> 00:06:44,139 He said, "Did you accuse him of lying before he said what he said?" 131 00:06:44,139 --> 00:06:46,209 I said, "No." 132 00:06:46,209 --> 00:06:48,209 He said, "Does he betray?" 133 00:06:48,209 --> 00:06:50,209 I said, "No, 134 00:06:50,209 --> 00:06:54,209 And we are in a truce with him, not knowing what he will do during it." 135 00:06:54,209 --> 00:06:56,209 Abu Sufyan said, 136 00:06:56,209 --> 00:07:02,209 "I could not insert any disparaging word other than this." 137 00:07:02,209 --> 00:07:05,209 He said, "Have you fought him?" 138 00:07:05,209 --> 00:07:07,209 I said, "Yes." 139 00:07:07,209 --> 00:07:10,209 "And how was your fighting against him?" 140 00:07:10,209 --> 00:07:17,209 I said, "The war between us and him is alternating; he gains against us, and we gain against him." 141 00:07:17,209 --> 00:07:20,209 He said, "What does he command you?" 142 00:07:20,209 --> 00:07:26,209 I said, "He says: Worship Allah alone and do not associate anything with Him, 143 00:07:26,209 --> 00:07:29,209 And abandon what your forefathers say." 144 00:07:29,209 --> 00:07:34,209 "He also commands us to pray, to be truthful, to be chaste, and to maintain kinship ties." 145 00:07:34,209 --> 00:07:36,370 Heraclius said to the translator, 146 00:07:36,370 --> 00:07:39,370 "Tell him: I asked you about his lineage, 147 00:07:39,370 --> 00:07:42,370 And you mentioned that he is of noble lineage among you; 148 00:07:42,370 --> 00:07:46,370 Thus are messengers sent within the lineage of their people. 149 00:07:46,370 --> 00:07:52,370 I asked you if anyone among you had said this before him, 150 00:07:52,370 --> 00:07:54,370 And you said no; 151 00:07:54,370 --> 00:07:58,370 I said if someone had said this before him, 152 00:07:58,370 --> 00:08:03,370 I would have said he is a man imitating a statement said before him. 153 00:08:03,370 --> 00:08:07,370 I asked you if there was any king among his forefathers, 154 00:08:07,370 --> 00:08:09,370 And you said no; 155 00:08:09,370 --> 00:08:12,370 I said if there had been a king among his forefathers, 156 00:08:12,370 --> 00:08:16,560 I would have said he is a man seeking the kingdom of his forefathers. 157 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:22,560 I asked you if you accused him of lying before he said what he said, 158 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:24,589 And you said no; 159 00:08:24,589 --> 00:08:29,589 I know that he would not refrain from lying to people only to lie about Allah. 160 00:08:29,589 --> 00:08:31,589 I asked you: 161 00:08:31,589 --> 00:08:35,590 Do the noble people follow him or the weak ones? 162 00:08:35,590 --> 00:08:40,590 You said the weak ones follow him, and they are the followers of the messengers. 163 00:08:40,590 --> 00:08:44,620 I asked you if they are increasing or decreasing, 164 00:08:44,620 --> 00:08:46,620 And you said they are increasing; 165 00:08:46,620 --> 00:08:49,620 Such is the affair of faith until it is perfected. 166 00:08:49,620 --> 00:08:51,620 In another narration: 167 00:08:51,620 --> 00:08:56,620 'Such is faith when its sweetness permeates the hearts.' 168 00:08:56,620 --> 00:08:58,620 I asked you: 169 00:08:58,620 --> 00:09:03,620 Does anyone apostatize out of dissatisfaction with his religion after entering it? 170 00:09:03,620 --> 00:09:04,620 You said no; 171 00:09:04,620 --> 00:09:09,620 Such is faith when its sweetness permeates the hearts. 172 00:09:09,620 --> 00:09:12,620 I asked you if he betrays, 173 00:09:12,620 --> 00:09:14,620 And you mentioned that he does not; 174 00:09:14,620 --> 00:09:16,620 Likewise, messengers do not betray. 175 00:09:16,620 --> 00:09:19,620 I asked you what he commands you, 176 00:09:19,620 --> 00:09:25,620 And you mentioned that he commands you to worship Allah alone and not associate anything with Him, 177 00:09:25,620 --> 00:09:28,620 And forbids you from worshipping idols, 178 00:09:28,620 --> 00:09:32,620 And commands you to pray, to be truthful, to be chaste, and to maintain kinship ties." 179 00:09:32,620 --> 00:09:34,690 Then he said, 180 00:09:34,690 --> 00:09:37,690 "If what you say is true, 181 00:09:37,690 --> 00:09:40,690 He will surely possess the ground beneath these two feet of mine. 182 00:09:40,690 --> 00:09:43,690 I already knew that he was to emerge, 183 00:09:43,690 --> 00:09:46,690 But I did not think he would be from among you." 184 00:09:46,690 --> 00:09:48,690 Heraclius said, 185 00:09:48,690 --> 00:09:51,690 "If I knew that I could reach him, 186 00:09:51,690 --> 00:09:53,690 I would have endured the hardship to meet him, 187 00:09:53,690 --> 00:09:55,690 And if I were with him, 188 00:09:55,690 --> 00:09:57,690 I would have washed his feet." 189 00:09:57,690 --> 00:10:02,940 Then he called for the letter of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 190 00:10:02,940 --> 00:10:06,940 Which he had sent with Dihyah to the governor of Busra, 191 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:08,940 Who then delivered it to Heraclius. 192 00:10:08,940 --> 00:10:10,940 He read it, and it stated: 193 00:10:10,940 --> 00:10:13,940 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 194 00:10:13,940 --> 00:10:16,940 From Muhammad, the servant of Allah and His Messenger, 195 00:10:16,940 --> 00:10:19,940 To Heraclius, the Chosroes of Rome. 196 00:10:19,940 --> 00:10:22,940 “So go ye unto him and say: Lo! we are two messengers of thy Lord. So let the children of Israel go with us, and torment them not. We bring thee a token from thy Lord. And peace will be for him who followeth right guidance.” (20:47) 197 00:10:22,940 --> 00:10:24,940 To proceed: 198 00:10:24,940 --> 00:10:27,940 I invite you with the call of Islam. 199 00:10:27,940 --> 00:10:29,940 Embrace Islam and you will be safe; 200 00:10:29,940 --> 00:10:32,940 Allah will give you your reward twice over. 201 00:10:32,940 --> 00:10:33,940 But if you turn away, 202 00:10:33,940 --> 00:10:36,940 Then the sin of the peasants shall be upon you. 203 00:10:36,940 --> 00:10:38,940 Then he said: 204 00:10:38,940 --> 00:10:44,940 “Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).” (3:64) 205 00:10:44,940 --> 00:10:46,940 between us and you. 206 00:10:46,940 --> 00:10:52,940 “Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).” (3:64) 207 00:10:52,940 --> 00:10:55,940 “Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).” (3:64) 208 00:10:55,940 --> 00:10:58,940 “Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).” (3:64) 209 00:10:58,940 --> 00:11:01,980 or a gate other than Allah. 210 00:11:01,980 --> 00:11:04,980 If they turn away, then say: 211 00:11:04,980 --> 00:11:08,980 "Bear witness that we are Muslims." 212 00:11:08,980 --> 00:11:11,200 Abu Sufyan said: 213 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,200 Once he had said what he said, 214 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,200 and finished reading the letter, 215 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,200 the clamor grew loud around him and voices were raised. 216 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,200 And we were turned out. 217 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,200 I said to my companions when we were turned out, 218 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:27,200 "The affair of Ibn Abi Kabshah has become a serious matter; 219 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:30,200 even the King of the Byzantines fears him." 220 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,200 He says, 221 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,200 "I remained certain that he would prevail, 222 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,200 until Allah brought Islam into my heart." 223 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:40,360 Ibn al-Natur was 224 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:42,360 the governor of Iliya (Jerusalem), 225 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,360 and a leader over the Christians of the Levant, 226 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:46,360 and a friend of Heraclius. 227 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,360 They both used to study the stars. 228 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,360 He narrates that Heraclius, when he came to Iliya, 229 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:55,360 woke up one day in a foul mood. 230 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:58,360 Some of his patriarchs asked him, 231 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:00,360 "We find your demeanor troubling." 232 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:02,360 Ibn al-Natur said, 233 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,360 "Heraclius was a soothsayer 234 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:06,360 who looked to the stars." 235 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,360 He said to them when they asked him, 236 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,360 "I saw tonight, 237 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:12,360 when I looked at the stars, 238 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:14,360 that the king of those who are circumcised has appeared. 239 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,360 Who is it that gets circumcised among this Ummah?" 240 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:21,360 They said, "No one gets circumcised except the Jews, 241 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,360 so do not let their affair concern you. 242 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:26,360 Write to the cities of your kingdom 243 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:29,360 to have the Jews within them killed." 244 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:33,360 He says: While they were occupied with this, 245 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:37,360 a man was brought to Heraclius whom the King of Ghassan had sent 246 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:41,360 to report news of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 247 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:44,360 When Heraclius questioned him, he said, 248 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,360 "Go and see 249 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,360 whether he is circumcised or not." 250 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:51,360 They reported to him that he was indeed circumcised. 251 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:53,360 "And ask him about the Arabs." 252 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,360 He said, "They practice circumcision." 253 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:57,360 Heraclius then said, 254 00:12:57,360 --> 00:13:01,360 "This is the king of this Ummah who has appeared." 255 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:05,490 Then Heraclius wrote to a friend of his in Rome, 256 00:13:05,490 --> 00:13:07,490 who was his peer in knowledge. 257 00:13:07,490 --> 00:13:10,490 Heraclius then traveled to Homs, 258 00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:16,490 and he had not yet left Homs before a letter arrived from his friend that agreed with his own view. 259 00:13:16,490 --> 00:13:22,519 He says: Heraclius then summoned the notables of Rome to a palace of his in Homs. 260 00:13:22,519 --> 00:13:25,519 A palace is a structure like a castle, 261 00:13:25,519 --> 00:13:29,519 containing many rooms for servants and attendants. 262 00:13:29,519 --> 00:13:33,519 He then ordered the doors of the palace to be locked. 263 00:13:33,519 --> 00:13:35,519 Then he appeared and said, 264 00:13:35,519 --> 00:13:37,519 "O assembly of the Romans, 265 00:13:37,519 --> 00:13:39,519 do you desire success and guidance, 266 00:13:39,519 --> 00:13:41,519 and for your kingdom to remain firm? 267 00:13:41,519 --> 00:13:43,519 Then pledge allegiance to this Prophet." 268 00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:47,519 They rushed toward the doors like wild donkeys, 269 00:13:47,519 --> 00:13:49,519 but found them locked. 270 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:53,519 When Heraclius saw their aversion and despaired of their faith, 271 00:13:53,519 --> 00:13:56,519 he said, "Bring them back to me." 272 00:13:56,519 --> 00:13:58,519 Then he said, 273 00:13:58,519 --> 00:14:04,519 "I only said what I said earlier to test the strength of your commitment to your religion. 274 00:14:04,519 --> 00:14:05,519 Now I have seen it." 275 00:14:05,519 --> 00:14:07,519 So they prostrated to him. 276 00:14:07,519 --> 00:14:11,519 That was the end of the affair of Heraclius. 277 00:14:11,519 --> 00:14:14,779 This man valued the world too highly; 278 00:14:14,779 --> 00:14:17,779 he was stingy regarding his kingdom and feared for it, 279 00:14:17,779 --> 00:14:19,779 and he forgot the Hereafter. 280 00:14:19,779 --> 00:14:21,870 And such is man: 281 00:14:21,870 --> 00:14:23,870 he may lose the greatest good, 282 00:14:23,870 --> 00:14:26,870 and lose the Hereafter, which is the eternal abode, 283 00:14:26,870 --> 00:14:31,870 for a trivial worldly life in which one may or may not find comfort. 284 00:14:31,870 --> 00:14:33,870 And whoever finds comfort in it, 285 00:14:34,870 --> 00:14:37,870 will be dipped once into the Fire of Hell, 286 00:14:37,870 --> 00:14:39,870 then it will be said to him: 287 00:14:39,870 --> 00:14:41,870 "Has any good ever passed you by? 288 00:14:41,870 --> 00:14:44,899 Has any comfort ever passed you by? 289 00:14:44,899 --> 00:14:46,899 Have you ever seen any bliss?" 290 00:14:46,899 --> 00:14:48,970 And he will say, "No, 291 00:14:48,970 --> 00:14:50,970 I have never seen any bliss." 292 00:14:50,970 --> 00:14:54,289 Here, a questioner might ask: 293 00:14:54,289 --> 00:14:56,289 Did Heraclius accept Islam? 294 00:14:56,289 --> 00:14:59,289 The outward appearance here is that he wanted to accept Islam, 295 00:14:59,289 --> 00:15:03,289 and that he believed in the Prophet, peace be upon him. 296 00:15:03,289 --> 00:15:06,289 But mere belief is not enough; 297 00:15:06,289 --> 00:15:08,289 one must also make the declaration. 298 00:15:08,289 --> 00:15:12,289 For faith is not merely belief. 299 00:15:12,289 --> 00:15:15,289 Iblis believes that Allah is his Creator, 300 00:15:15,289 --> 00:15:17,289 and that Allah is his Originator, 301 00:15:17,289 --> 00:15:19,289 and that Allah is his Fashioner, 302 00:15:19,289 --> 00:15:20,289 and that to Allah belongs the command, 303 00:15:20,289 --> 00:15:23,289 and to Him belongs the prohibition, glory be to Him and Exalted is He. 304 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:25,289 Yet, despite this, he did not respond. 305 00:15:25,289 --> 00:15:28,289 And it has come down that he wrote from Tabuk, 306 00:15:28,289 --> 00:15:30,289 Heraclius, 307 00:15:30,289 --> 00:15:33,289 to the Prophet, peace be upon him, saying: 308 00:15:33,289 --> 00:15:35,289 "I am a Muslim." 309 00:15:35,289 --> 00:15:38,289 But the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 310 00:15:38,289 --> 00:15:39,289 "He lies; 311 00:15:39,289 --> 00:15:42,289 he remains upon his Christianity." 312 00:15:42,289 --> 00:15:44,350 Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said, 313 00:15:44,350 --> 00:15:48,350 in the book *Al-Amwal* by Abu 'Ubayd with a sound chain of narration, 314 00:15:48,350 --> 00:15:51,350 from the *mursal* report of Bakr Ibn 'Abdullah al-Muzani, 315 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:53,350 that he said: 316 00:15:53,350 --> 00:15:57,350 When the Prophet, peace be upon him, was told about Heraclius, 317 00:15:57,350 --> 00:15:59,350 he said, "The enemy of Allah lies; 318 00:15:59,350 --> 00:16:01,350 he is not a Muslim." 319 00:16:01,350 --> 00:16:04,450 Treasures of the Seerah. 320 00:16:04,450 --> 00:16:11,740 The Justice of Islam. 321 00:16:11,740 --> 00:16:14,740 Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded 322 00:16:14,740 --> 00:16:18,740 from Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: 323 00:16:18,740 --> 00:16:21,740 A group of eight men from 'Ukl 324 00:16:21,740 --> 00:16:25,740 came to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 325 00:16:25,740 --> 00:16:27,740 and pledged allegiance to him upon Islam. 326 00:16:27,740 --> 00:16:31,740 But the climate of the land did not suit them, and their bodies became ill. 327 00:16:31,740 --> 00:16:35,740 They mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 328 00:16:35,740 --> 00:16:39,740 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: 329 00:16:39,740 --> 00:16:43,740 "Why don't you go out with our shepherd to his camels, 330 00:16:43,740 --> 00:16:46,740 and drink from their milk and urine?" 331 00:16:46,740 --> 00:16:48,740 They said, "Yes." 332 00:16:48,740 --> 00:16:52,740 So they drank from their milk and urine and recovered. 333 00:16:52,740 --> 00:16:56,740 But what was the reward for this kindness? 334 00:16:56,740 --> 00:16:59,769 They killed the shepherd and drove off the camels. 335 00:16:59,769 --> 00:17:03,769 This reached the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 336 00:17:03,769 --> 00:17:05,769 so he sent men in their pursuit. 337 00:17:05,769 --> 00:17:08,769 They were caught and brought back. 338 00:17:08,769 --> 00:17:11,769 He, peace be upon him, ordered that 339 00:17:11,769 --> 00:17:14,769 their hands and feet be cut off, 340 00:17:14,769 --> 00:17:16,769 and their eyes be branded with hot irons, 341 00:17:16,769 --> 00:17:19,769 and they were left in the sun until they died. 342 00:17:19,769 --> 00:17:22,829 This is the punishment for those who spread corruption in the land. 343 00:17:22,829 --> 00:17:25,900 And Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, said: 344 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:28,900 "And We ordained for them therein: 345 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:31,900 A life for a life, an eye for an eye..." 346 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:35,900 “And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers.” (5:45) 347 00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:38,900 “And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers.” (5:45) 348 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:41,900 "...and wounds are subject to legal retribution." 349 00:17:41,900 --> 00:17:44,089 Anas said: 350 00:17:44,089 --> 00:17:46,089 He only branded their eyes 351 00:17:46,089 --> 00:17:49,089 because they had branded the eyes of the shepherd. 352 00:17:49,089 --> 00:17:51,089 They were the ones who started it. 353 00:17:51,089 --> 00:17:54,089 So the Prophet, peace be upon him, treated them 354 00:17:54,089 --> 00:17:56,089 with the same action they had committed. 355 00:17:56,089 --> 00:17:58,089 This is because they committed aggression, 356 00:17:58,089 --> 00:18:01,089 so he committed aggression against them in the same manner they had committed it. 357 00:18:01,089 --> 00:18:03,089 Even if the second act of aggression 358 00:18:03,089 --> 00:18:06,089 is not aggression in its true sense, 359 00:18:06,089 --> 00:18:08,089 rather, it is legal retribution.