Muhammad (SAW)'s letters to the Emperors/Kings

 In 628 CE, Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) on the command from Allah sent letters to many rulers of the world, inviting them to Islam. Ambassadors with such letters were sent to:

•  Heraclius, Emperor of Byzantine empire
•  Khusrow-II, Emperor of the Sasanian/Persian Empire 
•  Armah/Najashi, King of the Kingdom of Aksum (Ethiopia) 
•  Muqawqis, Ruler of Egypt 
•  Harith Gassani, the governor of Syria 
•  Munzir ibn Sawa, Ruler of Bahrain 
•  Abd Al-Jalandi and Jaifar, joint Kings of Oman 

 Prophet Muhammad (SAW) sent them these letters as per the command from Allah to spread Allah's word all over the world with neither fear nor reluctance, because he was sent to all humankind. While some recipients accepted Islam, others admired the Prophet’s character. They cherished his call but they didn’t become Muslim.

Heraclius, Emperor of Byzantine. Empire

Herculius was addressed in the letter as: 

"From Muhammad, Worshiper and Messenger of Allah to Heraclius, the Great of the Romans"

When Heraclius listened to the Prophet’s letter and asked about the Prophet’s attributes and message, he acknowledged that Muhammad (PBUH) was indeed the Prophet of Allah. 

He said: “If what you [messager] say is true, then he is a Prophet, and he will soon occupy the place beneath these two feet of mine. I knew that he would emerge, but I did not think that he would be from among you. If I knew that I could reach him, definitely, I would have done my utmost to go to meet him, and if I were with him, I would wash his feet.”

Khusrow-II, Emperor of the Sasanian/Persian Empire

Khusrow-II was addressed in the letter as: 

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Kisra, the great (leader) of the Persians." 

Khusrow-II, the Emperor of Persia, was too full of himself to accept to follow the Prophet (SAW). He was angry because the Prophet’s name preceded his name on the letter. So he tore the letter into shreds. He also dictated a command to his Viceroy in Yemen to send a couple of strong men to arrest the Prophet and to bring him. The new monarch, Sherweh, sent a letter to Viceroy bidding him to stop any procedures as regards the Prophet till further notice. Later on, this Viceroy and the Persians in Yemen accepted Islam and became Muslims. 

Armah/Najashi, King of the Kingdom of Aksum (Ethiopia)

When Amr ibn Umaiyah (RA) delivered the Prophet’s letter to Najashi, who was Christian, he took the parchment and placed it on his eyes. He descended to the floor and confessed his faith in Islam. 

"I have received your letter in which you have mentioned about Jesus and by the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus is not more than what you say. We fully acknowledge that with which you have been sent to us and we have entertained your cousin and his companions."

Muqawqis, Ruler of Egypt

Al-Muqawqas meditated over the contents of the letter deeply. He said: “I have come to the conviction that this Prophet bids nothing abominable; he is neither a straying magician nor a lying soothsayer. He bears the true manifest eeds of Prophethood, and so I will consider the affair deeply.” 

Al-Muqawqas ordered that the letter be placed in an ivory casket and kept safe in the government treasury.  

Munzir ibn Sawa, Ruler of Bahrain

When Mundhir ibn Sawa, Governor of Bahrain, received the Prophet’s letter, he accepted Islam.

Abd Al-Jalandi and Jaifar, Joint Kings of Oman

The letter was sent to Abd & Jaifar, joint Kings of Oman. In response to the letter, Oman was the first country to convert to Islam.

The letter displayed at National Museum at an area dedicated to the Islamic history of Oman. Through these letters, the Prophet (SAW) set an example for all Muslim leaders to be passionate about delivering the message of Allah to other nations’ leaders. The Prophet’s use of letters proved very fruitful; two great kings embraced Islam. Even those who declined the Prophet’s invitation recognized the truth and treated the Prophet’s message with due respect and courtesy.

It is said that when Heraclius, the emperor og Byzantine Empire heard the news of the Najashi (King of Ethiopia) becoming Muslim, he said, “By Allah, were it not for the sake of holding on to my kingdom, I would have done what he has done.”