In the prolog of the movie - The Message, we see three horsemen galloping in the vast solitude of the desert. Then, these three horsemen separate their routes, after greeting each other with “Salam”, they all ride into different directions.
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| For Illustration Only: Dihya Al Kalbi RA |
Their names are Dihya al-Kalbi RA, Abdullah bin Hudayfah RA and Hateep bin Abu Balta RA.
They were of the Sahabah, Rasulullah ﷺ companions and they were on a very holy mission.
In the year 628 and in the month of Muharram, Rasulullah ﷺ was pondering about new and alternative ways to deliver Allah’s message to different nations of the world and since they signed the “Hudaibiyah” peace treaty with the pagans, it was a period where the sahabah can easily travel in the Arabian peninsula in security. However, since Holy Quran states that;
“We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.”
(Al-Anbiya 21/107)
Rasulullah ﷺ knew he should invite all of mankind to Islam. Therefore, Rasulullah ﷺ discussed this issue with his Sahabah and they all decided to send letter to rulers and emperors of that era, a letter that declares the delivery of the final message of Allah and invitation to Islam.
Among the Sahabah, some knew about the etiquettes of sending letters to emperors and since such rules would not accept letters without seal, Rasulullah ﷺ made himself a seal that imprinted “Muhammad Rasul Allah”, meaning Rasulullah ﷺ the messenger of Allah.
The three horsemen set on their “expedition” from the city of Madinah and parted ways after a while.
Dihya al-Kalbi RA kept riding north, he was to deliver Allah’s message to “Byzantium emperor Heraclius.”
Abdullah bin Hudayfah turned east, he was heading to “Persian king, Kisra”.
Hateep bin Abu Balta RA turned to west, his destination was “King of Egypt, Muqawqis”.
The addressing of the three letters was different naturally, but the content was the same for all three, as the essence of this message is still binding and authoritative today, for the entire mankind: Simple and bare invitation to Islam.
Muqawqis of Egypt treated Hateep bin Abu Balta RA kindly, sent some gifts to Rasulullah ﷺ but turned down his invitation, probably thinking that such a gesture of sending gifts would be enough to establish a politically correct relationship with Arabs.
Persian King Kisra was in vain, he thought “nomads of the Arabian desert” wouldn’t qualify to invite people to Allah’s message.
Byzantium emperor Heraclius was really moved by the message when he heard about the Holy Quran, and some historians note that he seriously thought about converting to Islam but afraid of his public’s reaction.
Onto west or onto east, doesn’t matter, the glorious and mysterious galloping of that three horsemen still echo today and all around the world, people receive invitation to Allah’s final message, some accept, some can’t win over their arrogance.
The spirit of those three horsemen should be fuelling the dakwah of today’s Muslims.
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Now let us get to know one of them Dihya al-Kalbi RA.
Dihya al-Kalbi RA was the leader of a big clan. God accepted the prayer of Rasulullah ﷺ. They told him Dihya al-Kalbi was coming. Rasulullah ﷺ was happy. The companions were not that happy because he was a person who did a lot of evil in the past. But Rasulullah ﷺ did not want the companions to say something negative or act in an offensive manner when Dihya al-Kalbi RA came. Rasulullah ﷺ immediately welcomed him upon his arrival. Rasulullah ﷺ laid the sacred robe he was wearing and asked Dihya al-Kalbi RA to sit there. That holy one took the jubbah off the ground, put it on his head, and kissed it. Dihya al-Kalbi RA said, “No, I cannot sit on it. If you like, you can cut my head off here, you can beat me, or you can curse at me. I deserve it.” Rasulullah ﷺ asked, “Why do you say this?” Dihya al-Kalbi RA replied, “When I was king, I killed 70 of my girls with my own hands. I did not want anybody to be my son-in-law due to my arrogance and killed my girls. Is this excusable?” So Rasulullah ﷺ looked and revelation came to him. In the revelation,
Allah says: “I forgive these 60 years of unbelief, 60 years of tyranny, with one ‘La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadun Rasulullah’. I forgive these 70 too.”
Prior to entering Islam, Dihya al-Kalbi RA had a special place in his heart for Rasulullah ﷺ, presenting him with a gift each time he came to visit him.
There is not enough information about the post hijrah life of Dihya al-Kalbi RA, who is originally from Southern Arabia and later made a home for himself around the region of Damascus as member of the Kalb tribe. What is known however is that he was among the young Muslims of the city of Madinah. Prior to entering Islam, Dihya al-Kalbi RA had a special place in his heart for Rasulullah ﷺ, presenting him with a gift each time he came to visit him. And each time Rasulullah ﷺ would say, “If you truly want me to be happy, and then enter Islam and save yourself from the fire,” calling him to Islam.
Finally Dihya al-Kalbi RA arrived to see Rasulullah ﷺ after the Battle of Badar with thoughts of becoming a Muslim. In order to display his reverence to him, Rasulullah ﷺ took off his cloak, extending it to him in order for him to sit on it. And Dihya al-Kalbi RA kissed the cloak and placed it on his forehead. He then said his Shahadah and revealed that he was Muslim. From that point on, Dihya al-Kalbi RA remained by the Rasulullah ﷺ’s side during all important events, even being appointed as the commander of a unit. The most important event which would etch the name of Dihya into Islamic history would be his appointment as the invited ambassador of Rasulullah ﷺ. Following the signing of the Hudaibiyah Peace Treaty, Rasulullah ﷺ of Allah decided to send letters of invitation to Islam to all of the tribes on the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring nations.
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| The First Trio - Ambassadors of Islam |
Later he asked, “Did Masih Isa pray?” and the emperor answered “yes.” “Then I call upon you to have belief in Allah, to whom Masih Isa prayed.
In line with this initiative, Dihya al-Kalbi RA was given the duty of visiting Heraclius, the Byzantine Emperor. This responsibility was carried out in the 7th year of Hijrah, during the month of Muharram (May of 628). Dihya al-Kalbi RA’s main duty was to present a letter to the Busra Governor of the Byzantine Empire in order to be delivered to Heraclius. However, as the emperor happened to be in Palestine at the time, he seized the chance to personally stand before the leader. In sources of Sirah, it is indicated that Abu Sufyan, who happened to be in Gaza for trade, was also present during this meeting upon the request of the emperor. According to Muhammad Hamidullah, the original letter sent by Rasulullah ﷺ to Heraclius remains with us today.
The letter translated as such:
“In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, most merciful”
From the servant and messenger of Allah, Muhammad, to the king of the Romans, Heraclius:
May the salutations of Allah be upon the person who follows the path of truth! I am calling upon you to accept my invitation to Islam. If you follow the religion of Islam you will be in a complete state of well-being, and Allah will double your rewards and good deeds. However, if you turn away from this, then the sins of your villagers (the group under your command) will be upon you as well. “Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will).”
Following the signing of the Hudaibiyah Peace Treaty, Rasulullah ﷺ decided to send letters of invitation to Islam to all of the tribes on the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring nations.
After the king listened to what was written in the letter, he called to his presence Abu Sufyan, who was in the region to conduct trade. He asked him many questions regarding our Rasulullah ﷺ. At that time, Abu Sufyan was not a Muslim. However he answered all of the emperors’ questions accurately: “He calls upon us to worship Allah alone, associating no partners with Him; he forbids us to worship idols as our forefathers did. He orders us to pray, be righteous, help the poor, avoid what is prohibited, honor a pact, and not betray an entrustment and to visit one’s relatives.” Abu Sufyan later made the following confession on this matter: “By God, had I not been scared of lying about Prophet Muhammad and the lies being spread, I would have perhaps lied.” After each response he received regarding his questions about Rasulullah ﷺ, Heraclius would say, “This is what prophets are like.” He had believed with certainty that the person sending the letter was the last prophet. Upon seeing that Heraclius had really warmed up to Islam though his words, Dihya al-Kalbi RA became very hopeful, he called upon him to become Muslim once again. “The person who sent me to you is more righteous than you are. Listen to my words with humility. Accept the advice being given. If you do this, then you will understand the advice that is being given. If you do not accept the advice, then you will not have any mercy.” Later he asked, “Did Masih Isa pray?” and the emperor answered “yes.” “Then I call upon you to have belief in Allah, to whom Masih Isa prayed. I then call you upon Allah who created the heavens and maintained them long before Isa was born. I call upon you an illiterate prophet who was heralded by Prophet Moses and then by Prophet Isa. If you know something of this matter and want to attain happiness in this world and the next, then remember them. Otherwise, the happiness of the afterlife will slip out of your hands. You will be left in the darkness of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and denial. Know that the will of Allah, your Creator, destroys tyrants and dictators and turns them into blessings.”
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| Letter for The Roman-Byzantine King : Heraclius |
Heraclius believed that Rasulullah ﷺ was the righteous prophet; however, because he was afraid of the kingdom slipping out of his hands, he could not make himself profess his own belief.
Heraclius believed that Rasulullah ﷺ was the righteous prophet; however, because he was afraid of the kingdom slipping out of his hands, he could not make himself profess his own belief. He expressed these sentiments in the following words: “May Allah grant you with what is good. May he bless you with his mercy. I know well that the person whose company you are coming from is a prophet who has been sent by Allah. In fact we were awaiting his arrival. We had found his name and attributes in our books. However, I am fearful of my life before the Romans.
If I were sure of my peoples, then I would take on all sorts of difficulties and become a subject to him and serve him. What you should do now is visit Patriarch Dagatir. He is of the elders of the Christian scholars. Call him on to Islam as well.” Our Rasulullah ﷺ had actually written a letter to Patriarch Dagatir. Upon the advice of the King, Dihya al-Kalbi RA went to visit him in haste. Dihya al-Kalbi RA presented him with the letter of invitation by the Prophet of Islam. In his letter, Rasulullah ﷺ had invited him to enter the religion of Islam by saying: “Peace be upon to those who believe. Surely, Jesus, the son of Mary, is the pure and clean word which Allah has cast into Maryam (Mary). I believe in Allah, all that is revealed by Allah, Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob) and that which has been revealed to their grandchildren, what was given to Moses and Jesus and all that was given to all prophets by their Lord. We do not differentiate any of those from one another. We believe that they are all prophets. We are among the believers who follow the commands of Allah. Peace upon those who follow the righteous path.”
Dagatir, who was a great scholar, had learned that a final prophet would arrive from the books he had in his possession, and he had read about his attributes. As soon as he read the letter, he said, “I swear by Allah that your master is the prophet sent by Allah. We knew his name and his attributes,” and believed (in the message) without any hesitation. Following this conversation, the head patriarch retreated into his home and secluded himself there. Dihya al-Kalbi RA would make sure he wasn’t alone, and visited him frequently. That Sunday, the head patriarch didn’t partake in the service at the church. In the meantime, the people had heard about the transformation that the head patriarch had experienced.
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Fiery and bigoted Romans had surrounded his home, yelling with anger and asking for their patriarch to address them. However, Dagatir was no longer their clergymen. He had become a member of Rasulullah ﷺ’s Ummah and he was conducting perhaps one of his last talks and meetings with one of Rasulullah ﷺ closest companions, Dihya al-Kalbi RA Meanwhile, Dagatir wrote a letter to Rasulullah ﷺ and entrusted it to Dihya al-Kalbi RA which said: “Take this letter and go to our master. Convey my greetings to him and inform him that I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah and that Rasulullah ﷺ is his Messenger.
I have believed in him, acknowledged him and am his subject. But as you can see, these men are denying this. Relay exactly all of that which you see to our master.” After Dagatir sent Dihya al-Kalbi RA on his way, he faced the people with his white garb and his cane. He didn’t have the slightest bit of fear. He knew that he could be killed or martyred. However it no longer bore any significance, because he had become one of the followers of the Prophet of Islam. He addressed the people in the following fashion:
“Oh Roman congregation! A letter comes to us from Prophet Muhammad. He calls us to believe in the one true God. I bear witness that there is not god save Allah. And Muhammad is his servant and messenger.”
The people become angered by what they heard and headed towards him, attacking him and gruesomely trying to kill him. Then Dihya al-Kalbi RA returned to the king once again. He informed him of what had happened. The King said, “Had I not said to you that we fear for our lives before them? I swear that Dagatir was a more respected man before them than I am.” He sent Dihya al-Kalbi RA back after giving him many gifts.
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| Illustration Only : The Fortress of Roman Byzantine King Heraclius. |
While returning to Madinah, Dihya al-Kalbi RA was attacked by looters while passing through the land of the Juzam tribe in the region of Hisma. The attackers took from him everything that he was carrying with him. Dihya al-Kalbi RA returned to Madinah empty handed. Dihya al-Kalbi RA quickly headed to face Rasulullah ﷺ. Dihya al-Kalbi RA narrated everything that had transpired from beginning to end. Dihya al-Kalbi RA presented Rasulullah ﷺ with the letter from the Roman king. Rasulullah ﷺ read the letter and then said the following: “He will remain on the throne for a while longer. As long as my letter remains with them, their kingdom will continue.” The King had also understood that the continuity of his kingdom was dependent upon his possession of the letter. He then wrapped the letter written by Rasulullah ﷺ in a silk cloth and hid it in a funnel. His will was that the letter be protected and hidden from those who succeeded him. And this was what indeed happened. When the letter was lost, so was the kingdom.
The invitation delegation which Dihya al-Kalbi RA headed had been ransacked on their return route and it was one of the Muslims in the area that had run to the aid of Dihya al-Kalbi RA, helping retrieve his possessions. Upon returning to Madinah, when the situation had been explained to Rasulullah ﷺ, he dispatched a military unit under the command of Zayd bin Harith RA against the people of Juzam, seeking to punish those who had attacked his ambassador.
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| The Grave of Dihya Al Kalbi RA - Damascus |
In books of Sirah, when mentioning the different methods of revelation, it is narrated that one of the ways in which the angel of revelation, Jibril AS would take on the persona of Dihya al-Kalbi RA and many of the companions of Rasulullah ﷺ would believe that he was in Dihya al-Kalbi RA And one day, Jibril came to Masjid al-Nabawi in the personification of Dihya al-Kalbi RA to visit Rasulullah ﷺ. At that very moment in time, Hasan and Hussein RA who were both children at the time were playing in the masjid. They thought that Jibril AS was Dihya al-Kalbi RA and they began running towards him, putting their hands in his pockets in search of something.
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| On the outside wall of the tomb of Dihya Al Kalbi RA |
Selected Hadiths Narrated and Attributed to Dihya Al-Kalbi RA
Found In: Sahih Muslim Chapter No: 1, Faith (Kitab Al Iman)
Hadith no: 321
Narrated: Jabir
That Rasulullah ﷺ said: There appeared before me the apostles, and Moses was among men as if he was one of the people of Shanu'a, and I saw Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) and I saw nearest in resemblance with him was 'Urwa b. Ma’sud, and I saw Ibrahim AS and I see your companions much in resemblance with him, i. e. his personality, and I saw Gabriel AS and I saw Dihya nearest in resemblance to him; but in the narration of Ibn Rumh it is Dihya b. Khalifah Al Kalbi.
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Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 34, Sales and Trade
Hadith no: 431
Narrated: Anas
Amongst the captives was Safiya. First she was given to Dihya Al-Kalbi RA and then to Rasulullah ﷺ.
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Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 8, Prayers (Salat)
Hadith no: 367
Narrated: Abdul Aziz
Anas said, 'When Allah's Apostle invaded Khaibar, we offered the Fajr prayer there yearly in the morning) when it was still dark. Rasulullah ﷺ rode and Abu Talha rode too and I was riding behind Abu Talha RA. Rasulullah ﷺ passed through the lane of Khaibar quickly and my knee was touching the thigh of Rasulullah ﷺ. Rasulullah ﷺ uncovered his thigh and I saw the whiteness of the thigh of Rasulullah ﷺ. When he entered the town, he said, 'Allahu Akbar! Khaibar is ruined. Whenever we approach near a (hostile) nation (to fight) then evil will be the morning of those who have been warned.' Rasulullah ﷺ repeated this thrice. The people came out for their jobs and some of them said, 'Muhammad (has come).' (Some of our companions added, "With his army.") We conquered Khaibar, took the captives, and the booty was collected. Dihya Al Kalbi RA came and said, 'O Allah's Prophet! Give me a slave girl from the captives.'
The Rasulullah ﷺ said, 'Go and take any slave girl.' He took Safiya bint Huyai. A man came to Rasulullah ﷺ and said, 'O Allah's Apostles! You gave Safiya bint Huyai to Dihya Al Kalbi RA and she is the chief mistress of the tribes of Quraizah and An-Nadir and she befits none but you.' So Rasulullah ﷺ said, 'Bring him Along with her.' So Dihya Al Kalbi RA came with her and when Rasulullah ﷺ saw her, he said to Dihya Al Kalbi RA, 'Take any slave girl other than her from the captives.' Anas added: Rasulullah ﷺ then manumitted her and married her." Thabit asked Anas, "O Abu Hamza! What did the Rasulullah ﷺ pay her (as Mahr)?" He said, "Herself was her Mahr for he manumitted her and then married her." Anas RA added, "While on the way, Um Sulaim dressed her for marriage (ceremony) and at night she sent her as a bride to Rasulullah ﷺ. So Rasulullah ﷺ was a bridegroom and he said, 'Whoever has anything (food) should bring it.' He spread out a leather sheet (for the food) and some brought dates and others cooking butter. (I think he (Anas) mentioned As-Saw. So they prepared a dish of Hais (a kind of meal). And that was Walimah (the marriage banquet) of Allah's Apostle ."
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Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 14, Fear Prayer
Hadith no: 68
Narrated: Anas bin Malik RA
Rasulullah ﷺ offered the Fajr prayer when it was still dark, then he rode and said, 'Allah Akbar! Khaibar is ruined. When we approach near to a nation, the most unfortunate is the morning of those who have been warned." The people came out into the streets saying, "Muhammad and his army." Rasulullah ﷺ vanquished them by force and their warriors were killed; the children and women were taken as captives. Safiya was taken by Dihya Al-Kalbi RA and later she belonged to Rasulullah ﷺ who married her and her Mahr was her manumission.
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Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 1, Revelation
Hadith no: 7
Narrated: Abdullah bin Abbas RA
Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Allah's Apostle had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had All the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question said to them, "Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group).
“Heraclius said, "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was: 'What is his family status amongst you?' I replied, 'He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.' Heraclius further asked, 'Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius asked, 'Do the nobles or the poor follow him?' I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.
' He said, 'Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?' I replied, 'They are increasing.' He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?' I replied, 'No. ‘Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?' I replied, 'No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that. Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?' I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.'
Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah Alone and not to worship anything Along with Him, and to renounce All that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.' Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact All the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples.
I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah.
I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact the entire Apostle has been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in All respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah Alone and not to worship anything Along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste.
If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.' Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path.
Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah's Statement:) 'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shAll take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64). Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the RoyAl Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him.
Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it)." The sub narrator adds, "Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of llya' (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting ilya' (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, 'At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror).
Who are they who practice circumcision?' The people replied, 'Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews). 'Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.' While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Allah's Apostle to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs.
The messenger replied, 'Arabs Also practice circumcision.' (After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the 'Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that, Heraclius invited All the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that All the doors of his palace be closed.
Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of Allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).' (On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience. (When they returned) he said, 'What Already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith).
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Related Video about Dihya Al Kalbi RA
(Almost no video about this beloved companion of Rasulullah ﷺ, s typical example on how history and writers of Seerah have forgotten about his contribution to Islam)
Video: English
