Preaching Expeditions in the Four Corners of Arabia — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 3
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Preaching Expeditions in the Four Corners of Arabia.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: VI – All Races Invited to Islam
Pages: Book pp. 183–184 (PDF pp. 201–202)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Use of Wisdom in Discharging the Obligation of Preaching] | Next: [Friction Between the Caesar and Chosroes and a Magnificent Prophecy of the Holy Prophet (sa)] »
Historical Account
Letters of invitation to Islām, which were dispatched at this instance, were addressed to the rulers of the four corners of Arabia. That is to say, in the North, to Caesar, ruler of the renowned Kingdom of Rome and in the North East, to Chosroes, ruler of the renowned Kingdom of Persia. Then, in the South west of Arabia, to Maqauqis, King of Egypt. In the East, to Ḥaudhah bin ‘Alī the Chieftain of Yamāmah and in the West, to the Negus, King of Abyssinia, which was a Christian government in the continent of Africa, situated directly opposite Arabia. Then, in the South, adjoining the boundary of Arabia, to the Governor of Ghassān who was subservient to Caesar. Similarly, the Holy Prophetsa sent a letter to the south of Arabia, addressed to the Chieftain of
[In actuality, “Maqauqis” was the name of the office of the governor of Egypt and every governor was referred to as “Maqauqis.” In that era, these governors of Egypt were subservient to Caesar of Rome. However, perhaps this was an inherited position, which except in special circumstances, remained within one distinct family. The Arab people would refer to such leaders as ‘Malik’ i.e., King as well.]
Yemen and another letter to the East of Arabia to the Governor of Baḥrain, etc. In this matter, the Holy Prophetsa fulfilled the duty of preaching by conveying the message of Islām to the four corners of Arabia. However, one should not think that all these letters were dispatched immediately after the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah. It is possible that certain letters were sent out at one time, while some were dispatched after some time. However, in any case, it is a confirmed act that they began to be sent out after the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah. However, the first letter was perhaps dispatched and addressed to the Caesar of Rome, i.e. to Heraclius, and we begin this note with him.
[As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, pp. 869-870, Dhikru Jumlatil-Ghazawāt/Khurūju Rusūli Rasūlillāhi Ilal-Mulūk, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) * Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 5, pp. 4-5/14/19-20/27/34/37/43/46, Wa Ammā Mukātabatuhū ‘Alaihiṣ-Ṣalātu Was- Salāmu Ilal-Mulūki Wa Ghairihim, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * Tārīkhul-Khamīs Fī Aḥwāli Anfasi Nafīs, By Ḥusain bin Muḥammad bin Ḥasan, Volume 2, pp. 29-]
Friction between the Caesar and Chosroes and a
Magnificent Prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa
However, prior to mentioning this letter, it is necessary to write a relevant note on the sovereignties of Caesar and Chosroes. As it has been mentioned in Sīrat Khātaman-Nabiyyin, volume 1 and volume 2, in the era of the Holy Prophetsa, to the North West and North East, there were two magnificent sovereignties. The first was the Kingdom of Rome, whose king was known as Caesar; the second was that of Persia, i.e. the Sassanid empire of Iran, whose king was known as Chosroes. This is the same Kingdom of Rome, which in history, is referred to as the Roman Kingdom of the East, or in other words, the Byzantine Empire, which is referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire in English. After the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, the capital of which was Constantinople, gained strength and in the era we are mentioning now, the Eastern Roman Empire and Iranian Empire of the Chosroes were the two largest and most powerful empires of the time. A fierce rivalry constantly prevailed between these two empires, because in addition to their political jealousy, the two were at odds in their religion and civilization as well. The Roman Empire followed the religion of Christianity whereas the Sassanid
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Section: VI – All Races Invited to Islam | Navigation: « Previous: [Use of Wisdom in Discharging the Obligation of Preaching] | Next: [Friction Between the Caesar and Chosroes and a Magnificent Prophecy of the Holy Prophet (sa)] »