Letter to Muqauqis, king of Alexandria and Egypt

The Prophet’s letter to Muqauqis went thus: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. “From Muhammad, the servant and Messenger of Allah, to Muqauqis, the ruler of the Copts.” “Blessed are those who follow Guidance. I call you to Islam. Embrace Islam that you may find peace. Accept Islam, and Allah will reward you twofold. If you reject Allah’s word, then on you shall rest the sin of the Copts as well.”

“[Allah says in the Qur’an]: O people of the Book: Come to that which is common between you and us, that we may serve none but Allah, nor associate anything with Him, nor take others for Lords besides Allah. But if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.” “If you reject this, then on you shall rest the sin of your people.”

The Prophet sent this through Hateeb bin Abi Baltah, who held a discussion with Muqauqis, and won his esteem. Muqauqis then put the letter in an ivory case, placed his seal on it and preserved it. He wrote back to the Prophet saying he believed a prophet was to appear, but he thought that he would come from Syria. Although he did not embrace Islam, he presented to the Prophet two maidens named Mariya and Sireen, who were of high status among the Copts. He also sent some cloth and a donkey. The Prophet chose Mariya (who was later to become the mother of his son, Ibraheem) and Duldul the donkey for himself. He gave Sireen to Hassan bin Thabit .