The life of the Prophet Muhammad - Ibn Kathir - volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA?L IBN KATHiR ' 27
"'The Negus wrote back to the Messenger of God (SAAS) as follows: "In the
name of God, the most Merciful and Compassionate: To Muhammad the
Messenger of God from the Negus al-Asham b. Abjar: Peace be upon you, 0
Prophet of God, from God, along with the mercy and blessings of God. There
is no god hut Him who guided me to Islam. Your letter, 0 Messenger of God,
in which you made reference to Jesus, has reached me. And, by the God of the
heavens and the earth, Jesus is no more than what you stated. We recognize what
you have been sent with to us. We have received your nephew and his friends
with hospitality. And I do testify that you are the Messenger of God, that you
speak the truth and are to be believed. I pledge my allegiance to you and to your
nephew, accepting Islam at his hands for God, the Lord of the universe. I have
sent to you, 0 Prophet of God, Ariha h. al-Asham b. Abjar, for I possess nothing
hut myself. If you wish for me to come to you, I will do so, 0 Messenger of God,
for I testify that what you say is truth."'"
An Account of the disagreement of the Qumysh tribes of the Banii
Hiishim and the Ban& 'Abd al-Mu;[alib in helping the Messenger of
God (+WAS). Also concerning their conjinement of them in the quarter
ofAbii Tiilib for a lengthy period and their writing an evil, brazen
document to that effect. And the signs of the prophethood and proofs of
the truth that became evident regarding all this.
Mnsa b. 'Uqba stated, from al-Zuhri: "The polytheists thereafter became so
violent in their actions against the Muslims that the plight of the latter became
extreme. And Quraysh so united in their evil intent as to agree to kill the
Messenger of God (SAAS) in full view.
"When Aha Talib realized their purposes, he gathered the Bana 'Abd
al-Murplib and told them to include the Messenger of God (SAAS) in their
enclave and to protect him against those wishing to murder him.
"The Muslims and non-believers of the tribe did agree to this, some out of a
desire to uphold traditions of protection, others out of their faith and conviction.
"When Quraysh realized that these were in agreement to protect the
Messenger of God (SAAS), the polytheists among them made a pact not to sit
down with, nor to do business with them, nor to enter the homes of these people
until they surrendered the Messenger of God (SAAS) to execution. They
cunningly drew up agreements and pacts to the effect that they would never
accept peace or reconciliation with the Bana Hashim until they delivered him up
for death.
"The Bann Hashim therefore remained for three years confined to their
enclave, suffering great deprivation. Their markets had been cut off; no food was
allowed into Mecca for them, and all their business dealings were interrupted.