Muslim
scholars have discussed different ways to consider the Prophetic
claim of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This
subject is known as Dala’il an-Nubuwwah (proofs of the
prophethood). There are hundreds of scholars who wrote in the past
and continue writing on this subject. Entire books and volumes have
been devoted to this subject.
There
are some who have mentioned his miracles and especially the miracle
of the Qur’an as proofs of his prophethood. Some others have
mentioned the prophecies of previous prophets about his coming as
mentioned in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New
Testament. Some have also mentioned prophecies in other ancient
religious literatures of Hindus, Buddhists and Zoroastrians. Some
have based the proofs on the Prophet’s own character, teachings
and his achievements. This is indeed a vast subject and can be
discussed in many different ways. It is important to know the proofs
of his prophethood. Through this knowledge one can distinguish the
true prophet from those who make false claims. It can also help us
to explain the message of Islam to others.
Imam
al-Bukhari and many other scholars of Hadith mentioned a very
interesting historical report. From this report we learn how a
reasonable leader approached this subject. It is mentioned that
after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) sent many letters to the neighboring chiefs and rulers
inviting them to Islam. He sent Dihyah al-Kalbi (may Allah be
pleased with him) with a letter addressed to the Eastern Roman
Emperor Heraclius. He ruled a vast territory of the Middle East at
that time. This letter was probably sent to him in the year 628 C.E.
Heraclius was in Jerusalem at that time celebrating his victory over
the Persians. The letter was given to the governor of Busra, who
delivered it to the Emperor. The Emperor was intrigued by this noble
letter. He wanted to know more about the one who sent him this
letter and whether he was truly Allah’s Messenger.
There
was a caravan of Arab traders in the city. Heraclius ordered the
caravan people to be brought to his court. Abu Sufian ibn Harb was
the chief of this caravan. He was not a Muslim at that time.
Actually, he was then one of the enemies of Islam. Later when he
became Muslim he reported this whole incident to `Abdullah ibn `Abbas
(may Allah be pleased with both of them).
Ibn
`Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Abu Sufian ibn Harb
informed me that Heraclius sent a messenger to him while he was
accompanying a caravan from the Quraish. They were merchants doing
business in the Levant (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at
the time when Allah’s Messenger had a truce with Abu Sufian and
the unbelievers of the Quraish. So Abu Sufian 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’ question,
said to them, “Who amongst you is closely related to that man who
claims to be a Prophet?”
Abu
Sufian replied, “I am the nearest relative to him (among the
group).”
Heraclius
said, “Bring him close to me and make his companions stand behind
him.”
Abu
Sufian added [to Ibn `Abbas], “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. By Allah, had I not been afraid of
my companions labeling me a liar, I would have lied against him (the
Prophet).”
[The
dialogue then continued like this.]
Heraclius:
What is his family status among you?
Abu
Sufian: He belongs to a noble family among us.
H.:
Has anyone else among you before him ever claimed the same (i.e., to
be a Prophet)?
A.S.:
No.
H.:
Was anyone among his ancestors a king?
A.S.:
No.
H.:
Are the strong and powerful following him or the weak and poor?
A.S.:
It is the weak and poor that are following him.
H.:
Are his followers increasing or decreasing (day by day)?
A.S.:
They are increasing.
H.:
Does anyone among those who embrace his religion become displeased
and leave the religion afterwards?
A.S.:
No.
H.:
Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a
Prophet)?
A.S.:
No.
H.:
Does he ever betray or is he treacherous in his agreements?
A.S.:
No, we are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in
it. (Abu Sufian said [to Ibn `Abbas], “I could not find an
opportunity to say anything against him except that word.”)
H.:
Have you ever had a fight with him?
A.S.:
Yes.
H.:
What was the outcome of your battles with him?
A.S.:
The fighting between him and us was undecided and victory was shared
between him and us by turns.
H.:
What does he order you to do?
A.S.:
He tells us to worship 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
said to his translator to convey to him,
[1.]
I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belongs to a
noble family among you. In fact, all the Messengers come from noble
families among their respective peoples.
[2.]
I questioned you whether anyone else among you claimed such a thing,
and your reply was no. If you had said yes, I would have thought
that this person is copying the previous person’s saying.
[3.]
I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply
was no. If you had said yes, I would have thought that the man wants
to take back his ancestral kingdom.
[4.]
I further asked you whether he was ever accused of telling lies
before he said what he said, and your reply was no. So I wonder how
a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie
about Allah.
[5.]
I then asked you whether the rich people follow him or the poor. You
replied that it was the poor who followed him. In fact, the poor are
always the followers of the Messengers.
[6.]
I asked you whether his followers are increasing or decreasing. You
replied that they were increasing. In fact, this is the way of true
faith, till it is complete in all respects.
[7.]
I asked you whether there was anyone who, after accepting his
religion, became displeased with and abandoned his religion. Your
reply was no. In fact, this is the sign of true faith, when its
delight penetrates the depths of the hearts.
[8.]
I asked you whether he had ever betrayed and your reply was no.
Likewise, the Messengers never betray.
[9.]
I asked you what he ordered you to do, and your reply was he ordered
you to worship Allah, 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 now. I knew from the
scriptures that he was going to come but I did not know that he
would be from you. If I could reach him I would go immediately to
meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.
