LETTER TO HARIS GHASSANI, KING OF
DAMISHQ (DAMASCUS)
In the name of ALLAH the Compassionate, the Merciful
From Muhammad, Prophet of Allah --
To Haris Bin Abi Shimr
Peace be on him who follows the right path, believes in it and
regards it as true.
I invite you to believe in One Allah, who has no associate. Your
country would remain with you.'
Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad
Note: Haris, the King of Syria, belonged to Ghassani family of
Arabia, which had settled in Syria towards the end of the 2nd century A.D. and
by and by established its rule over the country.
Shuja (Raziallah AnhoA.) had the honour of taking the letter to
Haris, happened to meet Muree, a courtier of the King. Muree enquired of Shuja,
about the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wasallam) and was highly moved by the
account of the Holy Prophet. He remarked that exactly the same account of the
Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wasallam) was to be found in the Bible. He, therefore,
accepted Islam but warned Shuja, not to mention his acceptance of Islam to any
body.
Muree mentioned Shuja to the King, who called Shuja to his court
and had the letter read. He was highly infuriated after listening to the letter
and said, "who dares even look towards my country"? He ordered his
army to make preparations. On his return, Haris gave an account of his meeting
to the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wasallam) who said, "In his
arrogance of kingship, he has declined to accept Islam, but his rule shall not
last". Under the leadership of Caesar, Haris started war against Islam,
soon after the victory of Makkah, but ultimately the Ghassani rule was effaced
from Syria in the 14th Hijra i.e. 625 A.D.
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