Archive for bridgebuilder.myfreeforum.org bridgebuilding effort, cross culture, cross faith, not bridge construction
 



       bridgebuilder.myfreeforum.org Forum Index -> CROSSINGS
obmar

Original Letters from Prophet Muhammad

Take a look at the original letters from Prophet Muhammad
obmar

http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/letters.html


The Prophet (pbuh) and his followers were busy digging the trench in preparation for the defense of their city, Medina, from the attack of more than ten thousand strong Meccan army that was only a few days away. The event that was to follow is known as the ‘Battle of Trench’ (627 CE). It was during this digging that Umar (ra) needed help to dislodge a rock. The Prophet gave the rock a blow with a pickaxe at which a flare as of lightning flashed back over the city and toward the south. In an attempt to loosen it, he gave it another blow and again there was a flash but in the direction of Uhud mountain and beyond it toward the north. A third blow split the rock into fragments, and this time the light flashed eastwards. Salman Farsi, the Persian, (ra) saw the three flashes, and convinced that they must have some significance asked the Prophet for an interpretation. The Prophet answered:

   By the light of the first I saw the castles of Yemen; by the light of the second I saw the castles of Syria; by the light of the third I saw the white palace of Kisra (Chosroes, King of Persia) at Mada'in. Through the first Allah (The One True God) has opened to me Yemen; through the second He has opened to me Syria and the West; and through the third the East.

The following year after the treaty of Hudaibiya, the Prophet decided to write to neighboring kings, including those of the two superpowers, summoning them to Islam. In order to make the selection of ambassadors to the rulers, he asked his Companions to assemble in the Mosque. After performing the obligatory prayer, he addressed them:

   “O people! Allah has sent me as the one who is compassionate to the mankind and the prophet to the world. Therefore preach (the message of Islam) on my behalf, Allah will have Mercy upon you...”

The Prophet then selected some of his very competent companions as ambassadors to kings and heads of states. Some of them are listed below:


Dihyah ibn Khalifah al-Kalbi (ra) Heraclius, Emperor of Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire)
'Abdullah bin Hudhafah (ra) Chosroes II (Emperor of Persian Empire)
'Amr bin Umayyah (ra) Negus, King of Abyssinia
Hatib' bin Abi Baitah (ra) Muqawqis, Ruler of Egypt
Shuja bin Wahab al-Asadi (ra) Harith Gassani, Governor of Syria
'Ala bin Hadrami (ra) al-Mundhir bin Sawa, Ruler of Bahrain


The wording of the Prophet’s letters was similar. The text of the letter sent to Heraclius was as follows:

 
Quote:
“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. This letter is from Muhammad the slave of Allah and his Apostle to Heraclius, the ruler of the Byzantines. Peace be upon him who follows the right path. Furthermore, I invite you to Islam and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your subjects. And I recite to you Allah's statement:

   “O People of the Scriptures! Come to a word common to you and us 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 beside Allah. Then if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah). (Qur’an: Surah 3, Ayah 64).”


All the Prophet's letters were stamped with the words: “Muhammad Rasul-ullah" (Muhammad the Messenger of Allah). Three of the Prophet’s letters have been preserved.


   Allah: Allah is the proper name in Arabic for The One and Only God, The Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It is used by the Arab Christians and Jews for the God (Eloh-im in Hebrew; 'Allaha' in Aramaic, the mother tongue of Jesus). The word Allah does not have a plural or gender. Allah does not have any associate or partner, and He does not beget nor was He begotten. SWT is an abbreviation of Arabic words that mean 'Glory Be To Him.'
   s or pbuh: Peace Be Upon Him. This expression is used for all Prophets of Allah.
   ra: Radiallahu Anhu (May Allah be pleased with him).
obmar

http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/charter1.html

In 628 C.E. Prophet Muhammad (s) granted a Charter of Privileges to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai. It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war.

An English translation of that document is presented below.
Quote:


       This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
       Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
       No compulsion is to be on them.
       Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.
       No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses.
       Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
       No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.
       The Muslims are to fight for them.
       If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.
       Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
       No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).


This charter of privileges has been honored and faithfully applied by Muslims throughout the centuries in all lands they ruled. Click here for more information.

       bridgebuilder.myfreeforum.org Forum Index -> CROSSINGS
Page 1 of 1
Create your own free forum | Buy a domain to use with your forum