Heraclius and Muhammad

Muhammad’s Letter to Heraclius

The letter to Heraclius remains a masterpiece of seventh-century diplomacy. Carried by the companion Dihya al-Kalbi and delivered through the Governor of Busra, the document was a model of statecraft: concise, firm, and meticulously observant of imperial protocols.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

From: Muhammad, The servant of Allah and His Messenger, To: Heraclius, the Great (Leader) of the Romans.

Peace be upon him who follows the right path. Furthermore, I invite you to Islam (submit to One God Allah the Creator of the Universe and all beings) and worship Him alone. Accept Islam and you will be in state of safety; accept Islam and Allah will double your reward. But if you turn away, you will bear the sin of “Arisiyyin” (your subjects: Arians)

‘O People of the Scripture! Come to a word that is just between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.

(The Quran 3:64)