Letter to Harith bin Abu Shammar Ghassani

The Prophet sent a missive with Shuja’ bin Wahb Asadi to Damascus, where Heraclius’ viceroy, Harith bin Abu Shammar Ghassani, was ruler. Harith responded to the letter with wrath. He flung it saying, “Who has the temerity to conquer my land?” He prepared to wage war on the Muslims and told Shuja’ to notify the Prophet of an impending war. When Harith asked his overlord, Heraclius, for permission to fight the Prophet , permission was denied. Retreating from his belligerent position, Harith presented clothes and riches to Shuja’ bin Wahb and saw him off graciously.

Letter to the Amr of Basra is intercepted

Next, the Prophet wrote to the ruler of Basra and invited him to Islam. When his envoy, Harith bin Umayr Azdi arrived at Muta in southern Jordan, he was beheaded by Sharahbeel bin Amr Ghassani. Harith was the only emissary of the Prophet to lose his life in carrying out his mission. The Prophet was grief stricken at Harith’s execution and found the act so reprehensible that he later waged war against Sharahbeel. That expedition was to be known as the Battle of Muta.

Letter to Haudha bin Ali, chief of Yamamah

The Prophet addressed him in the following letter: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” “From the Prophet Muhammad, to Hudha bin Ali. “Blessed are those who follow Guidance. Be it known to you that my religion will hold sway over whatever area camels and horses can cover. Embrace Islam that you may find peace. I shall keep intact what lies in your possession.”

This letter was sent through Sulayt bin Amr Aamiri. Haudha received this letter with respect and gave him gifts. He also wrote a reply: What shall I say in praise of that to which you call me? I am the poet and orator of my people, and my prestige encompasses the whole of Arabia. Entrust to me a part of your dominion and I shall serve you.

When the Prophet received the letter, he remarked, “I shall not give him even a piece of my land if he asks for it. He will himself meet his doom along with his possessions.” Hudha died shortly afterwards while the Prophet was till engaged in the conquest of Makkah.

Letter to the ruler of Bahrain

The Prophet sent Alaa’ bin Al-Hadrami with a letter inviting Munhir to Islam. Mundhir accepted the call to Islam. And so did some of his subjects. Others, however, continued to follow Judaism, while some practiced Zoroastrianism. Conscious of the Prophet’s status as a spiritual and temporal head of the Muslim world, Mundhir asked the Prophet how to deal with the non- Muslims in his realm. The Prophet wrote back instructing him to leave the Muslims as they were, and to collect Jiziyah tax from the Jews and the Zoroastrians. He allowed Mundhir to continue ruling as long as he stayed on the path of righteousness.