The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

354 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOSTMERCIFUL AND BENEFICENT.
THE BOOK ON THE DISPATCH BY
THE MESSENGER OF GOD (SAAS) OF
MISSIONS TO RULERS ABROAD AND HIS
DOCUMENTS TO THEM INVITING THEM
TO GOD, ALMIGHTY AND GLORIOUS IS HE,
-
AND TO ENTER THE FAITH OF ISLAM.
Al-Wzqidi related that this happened at the end of year 6 AH, in Dhii al-Hijja,
after the Cumra to al-Hudaybiyya. Al-Bayhaqi gme this section in this position,
following his account of the expedition to Mu'ta. But God knows best.
There is no dispute among scholars that this activity began before the
conquest of Mecca, and following al-Hudaybiyya. This accords with Aba Sufyw's
response to Heraclius. When asked by hi, "Would he betray?" Aha Sufym
replied, "No; we are into a period of time with him during which we do not know
what he will do."
In al-Bukhari's phrase, LLThat was the period in which Aha Sufyan had agreed
to a truce with the Messenger of God (SAAS)."
Muhammad h. Ishaq stated, "(This activity) took place in the period between
al-Hudayhiyya and the death of the Messenger of God (SAAS)."
We note here that comment, even though the statement of al-Wzqidi is
preferable. But God knows best.
Muslim related, from Yasuf b. Hammsd al-Ma'ni, from 'Ahd al-A'la, from
Sa'id b. Aha 'U~ba, from Qaada, from Anas b. Mali (who said) that the
Messenger of God (SAAS) wrote, before the battle of Mu'ta, to Chosroe,
to Caesar and to the Negus and to every tyrant, inviting them to God,
Almighty and Glorious is He; this does not apply to the Negus, for whom he
had prayed.
Yanus b. Bukayr quoted Muhammad b. Ishnq as having said, "At-Zuhri
related to me, from Wbayd Allzh h. 'Abd AUXh b. Wtba, from 'Ahd Allzh b.
'AhbB, who said, 'Aba Sufym related to me personally as follows, "We were a
mercantile people. The warfare had so blocked us in that our merchandise
was spoiled. When the truce came - that of al-Hudaybiyya - between us and the
Messenger of God (SAAS), we were stiU not sure that we were safe. I went
away to Syria on a trading expedition with a group of Quraysh. I swear, I didn't