Selections from “Sahih al-Bukhari,” Volume 1, Book 1 – Revelation, Part 2 of 2

We now invite you to continue listening to excerpts of the sacred book “Sahih al-Bukhari” as we learn about a letter written by Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, to the Roman Emperor Heraclius, and the Emperor’s belief in Him.

“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.’”

“(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).'”

“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, Peace Be Upon Him (i.e., embrace Islam).’”