Volume 4, Book 52, Number 190:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
Allah’s Apostle sent his letter to Khusrau and ordered his messenger to hand it over to the Gov –
ernor of Bahrain who was to hand it over to Khusrau. So, when Khusrau read the letter he tore it.
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Said bin Al-Musaiyab said, “The Prophet then invoked Allah to disperse them with full dispersion,
(destroy them (i.e. Khusrau and his followers) severely)”.
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 191:
Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas:
Allah’s Apostle wrote to Caesar and invited him to Islam and sent him his letter with Dihya Al-
Kalbi whom Allah’s Apostle ordered to hand it over to the Governor of Busra who would forward it
to Caesar. Caesar as a sign of gratitude to Allah, had walked from Hims to Ilya (i.e. Jerusalem) when
Allah had granted Him victory over the Persian forces. So, when the letter of Allah’s Apostle reached
Caesar, he said after reading t, ‘Seek for me any one of his people! (Arabs of Quraish tribe) if present
here, in order to ask him about Allah’s Apostle. At that time Abu Sufyan bin Harb was in Sham with
some men frown Quraish who had come (to Sham) as merchants during the truce that had been
concluded between Allah’s Apostle; and the infidels of Quraish. Abu Sufyan said, Caesar’s messenger
found us somewhere in Sham so he took me and my companions to Ilya and we were admitted into
Ceasar’s court to find him sitting in his royal court wearing a crown and surrounded by the senior
dignitaries of the Byzantine. He said to his translator. ‘Ask them who amongst them is a close relation
to the man who claims to be a prophet.” Abu Sufyan added, “I replied, ‘I am the nearest relative to
him.’ He asked, ‘What degree of relationship do you have with him?’ I replied, ‘He is my cousin,’ and
there was none of Bani Abu Manaf in the caravan except myself. Caesar said, ‘Let him come nearer.’
He then ordered that my companions stand behind me near my shoulder and said to his translator,
‘Tell his companions that I am going to ask this man about the man who claims to be a prophet. If he
tells a lie, they should contradict him immediately.” Abu Sufyan added, “By Allah ! Had it not been
shameful that my companions label me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about him when he
asked me. But I considered it shameful to be called a liar by my companions. So I told the truth. He
then said to his translator, ‘Ask him what kind of family does he belong to.’ I replied, ‘He belongs to a
noble family amongst us.’ He said, ‘Have anybody else amongst you ever claimed the same before
him? ‘I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Had you ever blamed him for telling lies before he claimed what he
claimed? ‘ I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?’ I replied, ‘No.’ He said,
“Do the noble or the poor follow him?’ I replied, ‘It is the poor who follow him.’ He said, ‘Are they in –
creasing or decreasing (day by day)?’ I replied,’ They are increasing.’ He said, ‘Does anybody amongst
those who embrace his (the Prophet’s) Religion become displeased and then discard his Religion?’. I
replied, ‘No. ‘ He said, ‘Does he break his promises? I replied, ‘No, but we are now at truce with him
and we are afraid that he may betray us.” Abu Sufyan added, “Other than the last sentence, I could
not say anything against him. Caesar then asked, ‘Have you ever had a war with him?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’
He said, ‘What was the outcome of your battles with him?’ I replied, ‘The result was unstable; some –
times he was victorious and sometimes we.’ He said, ‘What does he order you to do?’ I said, ‘He tells
us to worship Allah alone, and not to worship others along with Him, and to leave all that our fore-
fathers used to worship. He orders us to pray, give in charity, be chaste, keep promises and return
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what is entrusted to us.’ When I had said that, Caesar said to his translator, ‘Say to him: I ask you
about his lineage and your reply was that he belonged to a noble family. In fact, all the apostles came
from the noblest lineage of their nations. Then I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you
had claimed such a thing, and your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirm –
ative, I would have thought that this man was following a claim that had been said before him.
When I asked you whether he was ever blamed for telling lies, your reply was in the negative, so I
took it for granted that a person who did not tell a lie about (others) the people could never tell a lie
about Allah. Then I asked you whether any of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negat –
ive, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his
ancestral kingdom. When I asked you whether the rich or the poor people followed him, you replied
that it was the poor who followed him. In fact, such are the followers of the apostles. Then I asked
you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing. In
fact, this is the result of true faith till it is complete (in all respects). I asked you whether there was
anybody who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion; your reply
was in the negative. In fact, this is the sign of true faith, for when its cheerfulness enters and mixes
in the hearts completely, nobody will be displeased with it. I asked you whether he had ever broken
his promise. You replied in the negative. And such are the apostles; they never break their promises.
When I asked you whether you fought with him and he fought with you, you replied that he did, and
that sometimes he was victorious and sometimes you. Indeed, such are the apostles; they are put to
trials and the final victory is always theirs. Then I asked you what he ordered you. You replied that
he ordered you to worship Allah alone and not to worship others along with Him, to leave all that
your fore-fathers used to worship, to offer prayers, to speak the truth, to be chaste, to keep promises,
and to return what is entrusted to you. These are really the qualities of a prophet who, I knew (from
the previous Scriptures) would appear, but I did not know that he would be from amongst you. If
what you say should be true, he will very soon occupy the earth under my feet, and if I knew that I
would reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet Him; and were I with him, then I would
certainly wash his feet.’ ” Abu Sufyan added, “Caesar then asked for the letter of Allah’s Apostle and it
was read. Its contents were:–
“In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad, the
slave of Allah, and His Apostle, to Heraculius, the Ruler of the Byzantine. Peace be upon the followers
of guidance. Now then, I invite you to Islam (i.e. surrender to Allah), embrace Islam and you will be
safe; embrace Islam and Allah will bestow on you a double reward. But if you reject this invitation of
Islam, you shall be responsible for misguiding the peasants (i.e. your nation). O people of the Scrip –
tures! Come to a word common to you and us and you, that we worship. None but Allah, and that we
associate nothing in worship 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 (they who have surrendered (unto Him)..(3.64)
Abu Sufyan added, “When Heraclius had finished his speech, there was a great hue and cry caused
by the Byzantine Royalties surrounding him, and there was so much noise that I did not understand
what they said. So, we were turned out of the court. When I went out with my companions and we
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were alone, I said to them, ‘Verily, Ibn Abi Kabsha’s (i.e. the Prophet’s) affair has gained power. This is
the King of Bani Al-Asfar fearing him.” Abu Sufyan added, “By Allah, I remained low and was sure
that his religion would be victorious till Allah converted me to Islam, though I disliked it “
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 60:
Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas:
That Abu Sufyan told him that Heraclius said to him, “I asked you about the outcome of your
battles with him (i.e. the Prophet ) and you told me that you fought each other with alternate success.
So the Apostles are tested in this way but the ultimate victory is always theirs.
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Volume 3, Book 48, Number 846:
Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas:
Abu Sufyan told me that Heraclius said to him, “When I enquired you what he (i.e. Muhammad)
ordered you, you replied that he ordered you to establish the prayer, to speak the truth, to be chaste,
to keep promises and to pay back trusts.” Then Heraclius added, “These are really the qualities of a
prophet.”
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 768:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
That he heard As-Sa’b bin Jaththama Al-Laithi, who was one of the companions of the Prophet,
saying that he gave the meat of an onager to Allah’s Apostle while he was at a place called Al-Abwa’
or Waddan, and was in a state of Ihram. The Prophet did not accept it. When the Prophet saw the
signs of sorrow on As-Sa’b’s face because of not accepting his present, he said (to him), “We are not
returning your present, but we are in the state of Ihram.” (See Hadith No. 747)
Volume 3, Book 43, Number 648:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
I had been eager to ask ‘Umar about the two ladies from among the wives of the Prophet regarding
whom Allah said (in the Qur’an saying): If you two (wives of the Prophet namely Aisha and Hafsa)
turn in repentance to Allah your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet likes)
(66.4), till performed the Hajj along with ‘Umar (and on our way back from Hajj) he went aside (to
answer the call of nature) and I also went aside along with him carrying a tumbler of water. When
he had answered the call of nature and returned. I poured water on his hands from the tumbler and
he performed ablution. I said, “O Chief of the believers! ‘ Who were the two ladies from among the
wives of the Prophet to whom Allah said:
‘If you two return in repentance (66.4)? He said, “I am astonished at your question, O Ibn ‘Abbas.
They were Aisha and Hafsa.”
Then ‘Umar went on relating the narration and said. “I and an Ansari neighbor of mine from Bani
Umaiya bin Zaid who used to live in ‘Awali Al-Medina, used to visit the Prophet in turns. He used to
go one day, and I another day. When I went I would bring him the news of what had happened that
day regarding the instructions and orders and when he went, he used to do the same for me. We, the
people of Quraish, used to have authority over women, but when we came to live with the Ansar, we
noticed that the Ansari women had the upper hand over their men, so our women started acquiring
the habits of the Ansari women. Once I shouted at my wife and she paid me back in my coin and I
disliked that she should answer me back. She said, ‘Why do you take it ill that I retort upon you? By
Allah, the wives of the Prophet retort upon him, and some of them may not speak with him for the
whole day till night.’ What she said scared me and I said to her, ‘Whoever amongst them does so, will
be a great loser.’ Then I dressed myself and went to Hafsa and asked her, ‘Does any of you keep Al –
lah’s Apostle angry all the day long till night?’ She replied in the affirmative. I said, ‘She is a ruined
losing person (and will never have success)! Doesn’t she fear that Allah may get angry for the anger
of Allah’s Apostle and thus she will be ruined? Don’t ask Allah’s Apostle too many things, and don’t
retort upon him in any case, and don’t desert him. Demand from me whatever you like, and don’t be
tempted to imitate your neighbor (i.e. ‘Aisha) in her behavior towards the Prophet), for she (i.e.
Aisha) is more beautiful than you, and more beloved to Allah’s Apostle.
In those days it was rumored that Ghassan, (a tribe living in Sham) was getting prepared their
horses to invade us. My companion went (to the Prophet on the day of his turn, went and returned to
us at night and knocked at my door violently, asking whether I was sleeping. I was scared (by the
hard knocking) and came out to him. He said that a great thing had happened. I asked him: What is
it? Have Ghassan come? He replied that it was worse and more serious than that, and added that Al –
lah’s Apostle had divorced all his wives. I said, Hafsa is a ruined loser! I expected that would happen
some day.’ So I dressed myself and offered the Fajr prayer with the Prophet. Then the Prophet entered
an upper room and stayed there alone. I went to Hafsa and found her weeping. I asked her, ‘Why are
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you weeping? Didn’t I warn you? Have Allah’s Apostle divorced you all?’ She replied, ‘I don’t know.
He is there in the upper room.’ I then went out and came to the pulpit and found a group of people
around it and some of them were weeping. Then I sat with them for some time, but could not endure
the situation. So I went to the upper room where the Prophet was and requested to a black slave of
his: “Will you get the permission of (Allah’s Apostle) for Umar (to enter)? The slave went in, talked to
the Prophet about it and came out saying, ‘I mentioned you to him but he did not reply.’ So, I went
and sat with the people who were sitting by the pulpit, but I could not bear the situation, so I went to
the slave again and said: “Will you get he permission for Umar? He went in and brought the same
reply as before. When I was leaving, behold, the slave called me saying, “Allah’s Apostle has granted
you permission.” So, I entered upon the Prophet and saw him lying on a mat without wedding on it,
and the mat had left its mark on the body of the Prophet, and he was leaning on a leather pillow
stuffed with palm fires. I greeted him and while still standing, I said: “Have you divorced your wives?’
He raised his eyes to me and replied in the negative. And then while still standing, I said chatting:
“Will you heed what I say, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! We, the people of Quraish used to have the upper hand
over our women (wives), and when we came to the people whose women had the upper hand over
them…”
‘Umar told the whole story (about his wife). “On that the Prophet smiled.” ‘Umar further said, “I
then said, ‘I went to Hafsa and said to her: Do not be tempted to imitate your companion (‘Aisha) for
she is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Prophet.’ The Prophet smiled again. When I
saw him smiling, I sat down and cast a glance at the room, and by Allah, I couldn’t see anything of
importance but three hides. I said (to Allah’s Apostle) “Invoke Allah to make your followers prosper –
ous for the Persians and the Byzantines have been made prosperous and given worldly luxuries,
though they do not worship Allah?’ The Prophet was leaning then (and on hearing my speech he sat
straight) and said, ‘O Ibn Al-Khatttab! Do you have any doubt (that the Hereafter is better than this
world)? These people have been given rewards of their good deeds in this world only.’ I asked the
Prophet . ‘Please ask Allah’s forgiveness for me. The Prophet did not go to his wives because of the
secret which Hafsa had disclosed to ‘Aisha, and he said that he would not go to his wives for one
month as he was angry with them when Allah admonished him (for his oath that he would not ap –
proach Maria). When twenty-nine days had passed, the Prophet went to Aisha first of all. She said to
him, ‘You took an oath that you would not come to us for one month, and today only twenty-nine
days have passed, as I have been counting them day by day.’ The Prophet said, ‘The month is also of
twenty-nine days.’ That month consisted of twenty-nine days. ‘Aisha said, ‘When the Divine revela –
tion of Choice was revealed, the Prophet started with me, saying to me, ‘I am telling you something,
but you needn’t hurry to give the reply till you can consult your parents.” ‘Aisha knew that her par –
ents would not advise her to part with the Prophet . The Prophet said that Allah had said:–
‘O Prophet! Say To your wives; If you desire The life of this world And its glitter, … then come! I
will make a provision for you and set you free In a handsome manner. But if you seek Allah And His
Apostle, and The Home of the Hereafter, then Verily, Allah has prepared For the good-doers amongst
you A great reward.’ (33.28) ‘Aisha said, ‘Am I to consult my parents about this? I indeed prefer Al –
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lah, His Apostle, and the Home of the Hereafter.’ After that the Prophet gave the choice to his other
wives and they also gave the same reply as ‘Aisha did.”
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 424:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
Once Allah’s Apostle passed by a dead sheep and said to the people, “Wouldn’t you benefit by its
skin?” The people replied that it was dead. The Prophet said, “But its eating only is illegal.”
Volume 3, Book 29, Number 81:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
I came riding on my she-ass and had (just) then attained the age of puberty. Allah’s Apostle was
praying at Mina. I passed in front of a part of the first row and then dismounted from it, and the an –
imal started grazing. I aligned with the people behind Allah’s Apostle (The sub-narrator added that
happened in Mina during the Prophet’s Hajjat-ul-wada.)