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

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATH~R 361
Ibn Lahi'a stated, from al-Aswad, from Wrwa, "Aha Sufyan h. Harh left on a
mercantile expedition to Syria, accompanied by some colleagues. News of the
Messenger of God (SAAS) reached Heraclius and he wished to ascertain what
was known about him. So he sent word to the leader of the Arab community in
Syria within his domain and ordered hi to dispatch to him some Arabs so
that he could question them about the Messenger of God (SAAS). He therefore
sent to Heraclius 30 Arabs, including Aha Sufysn h. Harh. They went in to him
in the church in the centre of Aelia. Heraclius said, 'I sent for you to give me
information about the activities of this man of Mecca.' They replied, 'He is a
magician and a liar and no prophet.'
"Heraclius asked them, 'Then tell me, which of you knows him best and is
closest to hi
in relationship?' They replied that that would he Aha Sufyan, his
uncle, and that he had fought against him.
"When they told him that, he had them removed. Then he seated Aha Sufyan
and questioned him. He asked, 'Now tell me, Abn Sufyan.' He replied, 'He is a
magician and a liar.'
"Heraclius went on, 'I don't just want you to slander him; tell me about his
lineage among you.' 'He is of the house of Quraysh,' he replied.
"'How is his intelligence, his reasoning?' 'We never found fault with his views.'
"'Was he deceitful, lying and wont to swear oaths in his business dealings?'
'No, I swear by God; he was not like that.'
"'Perhaps he is seeking some kingship or high honour that had previously
been held by a forebear of his?' 'No,' Aha Sufym replied.
"'Do any of those (who follow hi) come hack to you?' 'No,' he replied.
"'And did he renege after making an agreement?' Heraclius asked. 'No', he
replied, 'except that he might renege on this truce,' Aha Sufym replied.
"'And what are your fears about this truce?' 'My people and their allies have
given a truce to him and his allies.' Heraclius commented, 'If you begin (the
fighting) then it is you who will he the ones betraying.'
"Aha Sufym became angry at this and said, 'He only ever beat us once, and
I was absent that day! That was at Badr. Then I attacked him twice while they
were in their homes, slitting open stomachs, cutting off their ears and private
parts!'
"'And do you consider him a liar, or truthful?' Heraclius enquired. 'Oh, he's
a liar,' he replied.
"'Well, if there is a prophet among you, you should not kill him. The Jews are
the ones best at doing that!' Heraclius commented.
"Aba Sufym then returned home."
There are strange aspects to this text, as well as some good points absent from
the accounts of Ihn Ishaq and al-Bukhai.
Miisa h. Wqha related in his work on the military expeditions an account
similar to that of Wrwa h. al-Znhayr. But God knows best.