Overview

Authentic teachings from the Quran and Sunnah regarding Gratitude. This topic covers the profound wisdom, practical implications, and fundamental rulings associated with Gratitude in Islam.

Key Lessons

Key lessons include adhering to the boundaries set by Allah, recognizing the spiritual significance of Gratitude, and implementing its teachings in our interactions.

Practical Guidance

Apply these teachings by constantly remembering Allah's commands related to Gratitude and seeking knowledge to avoid common pitfalls.

Quranic Context

""
—

Advanced Filters

#1 | Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas
Sahih
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ انْخَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَقَامَ قِيَامًا طَوِيلاً نَحْوًا مِنْ قِرَاءَةِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ رُكُوعًا طَوِيلاً، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ فَقَامَ قِيَامًا طَوِيلاً، وَهْوَ دُونَ الْقِيَامِ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ رُكُوعًا طَوِيلاً، وَهْوَ دُونَ الرُّكُوعِ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ، ثُمَّ قَامَ قِيَامًا طَوِيلاً وَهْوَ دُونَ الْقِيَامِ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ رُكُوعًا طَوِيلاً، وَهْوَ دُونَ الرُّكُوعِ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ فَقَامَ قِيَامًا طَوِيلاً، وَهْوَ دُونَ الْقِيَامِ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ رُكُوعًا طَوِيلاً، وَهْوَ دُونَ الرُّكُوعِ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ، ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ وَقَدْ تَجَلَّتِ الشَّمْسُ، فَقَالَ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ، لاَ يَخْسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ ذَلِكَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، رَأَيْنَاكَ تَنَاوَلْتَ شَيْئًا فِي مَقَامِكَ، ثُمَّ رَأَيْنَاكَ كَعْكَعْتَ‏.‏ قَالَ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ الْجَنَّةَ، فَتَنَاوَلْتُ عُنْقُودًا، وَلَوْ أَصَبْتُهُ لأَكَلْتُمْ مِنْهُ مَا بَقِيَتِ الدُّنْيَا، وَأُرِيتُ النَّارَ، فَلَمْ أَرَ مَنْظَرًا كَالْيَوْمِ قَطُّ أَفْظَعَ، وَرَأَيْتُ أَكْثَرَ أَهْلِهَا النِّسَاءَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا بِمَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ بِكُفْرِهِنَّ ‏"‏‏.‏ قِيلَ يَكْفُرْنَ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ يَكْفُرْنَ الْعَشِيرَ، وَيَكْفُرْنَ الإِحْسَانَ، لَوْ أَحْسَنْتَ إِلَى إِحْدَاهُنَّ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ، ثُمَّ رَأَتْ مِنْكَ شَيْئًا قَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْكَ خَيْرًا قَطُّ ‏"‏‏.‏
Translation:

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas:The sun eclipsed in the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) . Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered the eclipse prayer and stood for a long period equal to the period in which one could recite Surat-al-Baqara. Then he bowed for a long time and then stood up for a long period which was shorter than that of the first standing, then bowed again for a long time but for a shorter period than the first; then he prostrated twice and then stood up for a long period which was shorter than that of the first standing; then he bowed for a long time which was shorter than the previous one, and then he raised his head and stood up for a long period which was shorter than the first standing, then he bowed for a long time which was shorter than the first bowing, and then prostrated (twice) and finished the prayer. By then, the sun (eclipse) had cleared. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, "The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah. They eclipse neither because of the death of somebody nor because of his life (i.e. birth). So when you see them, remember Allah." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! We saw you taking something from your place and then we saw you retreating." The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I saw Paradise and stretched my hands towards a bunch (of its fruits) and had I taken it, you would have eaten from it as long as the world remains. I also saw the Hell-fire and I had never seen such a horrible sight. I saw that most of the inhabitants were women." The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Why is it so?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Because of their ungratefulness." It was asked whether they are ungrateful to Allah. The Prophet said, "They are ungrateful to their companions of life (husbands) and ungrateful to good deeds. If you are benevolent to one of them throughout the life and if she sees anything (undesirable) in you, she will say, 'I have never had any good from you

اردو:

ہم سے عبداللہ بن مسلمہ قعنبی نے بیان کیا، ان سے امام مالک نے بیان کیا، ان سے زید بن اسلم نے بیان کیا، ان سے عطاء بن یسار نے بیان کیا، ان سے عبداللہ بن عباس رضی اللہ عنہما نے کہ نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے زمانے میں سورج کو گرہن لگا تو آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے نماز پڑھی تھی آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے اتنا لمبا قیام کیا کہ اتنی دیر میں سورۃ البقرہ پڑھی جا سکتی تھی۔ پھر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے رکوع لمبا کیا اور اس کے بعد کھڑے ہوئے تو اب کی مرتبہ بھی قیام بہت لمبا تھا لیکن پہلے سے کچھ کم پھر ایک دوسرا لمبا رکوع کیا جو پہلے رکوع سے کچھ کم تھا پھر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سجدہ میں گئے، سجدہ سے اٹھ کر پھر لمبا قیام کیا لیکن پہلے قیام کے مقابلے میں کم لمبا تھا پھر ایک لمبا رکوع کیا۔ یہ رکوع بھی پہلے رکوع کے مقابلہ میں کم تھا رکوع سے سر اٹھا نے کے بعد پھر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم بہت دیر تک کھڑے رہے اور یہ قیام بھی پہلے سے مختصر تھا۔ پھر ( چوتھا ) رکوع کیا یہ بھی بہت لمبا تھا لیکن پہلے سے کچھ کم۔ پھر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے سجدہ کیا اور نماز سے فارغ ہوئے تو سورج صاف ہو چکا تھا۔ اس کے بعد آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے خطبہ میں فرمایا کہ سورج اور چاند دونوں اللہ تعالیٰ کی نشانیاں ہیں اور کسی کی موت و زندگی کی وجہ سے ان میں گرہن نہیں لگتا اس لیے جب تم کو معلوم ہو کہ گرہن لگ گیا ہے تو اللہ تعالیٰ کا ذکر کرو۔ صحابہ رضی اللہ عنہم نے عرض کیا یا رسول اللہ! ہم نے دیکھا کہ ( نماز میں ) اپنی جگہ سے آپ کچھ آگے بڑھے اور پھر اس کے بعد پیچھے ہٹ گئے۔ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ میں نے جنت دیکھی اور اس کا یک خوشہ توڑنا چاہا تھا اگر میں اسے توڑ سکتا تو تم اسے رہتی دنیا تک کھاتے اور مجھے جہنم بھی دکھائی گئی میں نے اس سے زیادہ بھیانک اور خوفناک منظر کبھی نہیں دیکھا۔ میں نے دیکھا اس میں عورتیں زیادہ ہیں۔ کسی نے پوچھا یا رسول اللہ! اس کی کیا وجہ ہے؟ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ اپنے کفر ( انکار ) کی وجہ سے، پوچھا گیا۔ کیا اللہ تعالیٰ کا کفر ( انکار ) کرتی ہیں؟ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ شوہر کا اور احسان کا کفر کرتی ہیں۔ زندگی بھر تم کسی عورت کے ساتھ حسن سلوک کرو لیکن کبھی اگر کوئی خلاف مزاج بات آ گئی تو فوراً یہی کہے گی کہ میں نے تم سے کبھی بھلائی نہیں دیکھی۔

Eclipses Sahih Bukhari 1052 Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas
#2 | Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas
Sahih
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَتَبَ إِلَى قَيْصَرَ يَدْعُوهُ إِلَى الإِسْلاَمِ، وَبَعَثَ بِكِتَابِهِ إِلَيْهِ مَعَ دِحْيَةَ الْكَلْبِيِّ، وَأَمَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى لِيَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى قَيْصَرَ، وَكَانَ قَيْصَرُ لَمَّا كَشَفَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ جُنُودَ فَارِسَ مَشَى مِنْ حِمْصَ إِلَى إِيلِيَاءَ، شُكْرًا لِمَا أَبْلاَهُ اللَّهُ، فَلَمَّا جَاءَ قَيْصَرَ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ حِينَ قَرَأَهُ الْتَمِسُوا لِي هَا هُنَا أَحَدًا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ لأَسْأَلَهُمْ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سُفْيَانَ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ بِالشَّأْمِ فِي رِجَالٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ، قَدِمُوا تِجَارًا فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ بَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَبَيْنَ كُفَّارِ قُرَيْشٍ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَوَجَدَنَا رَسُولُ قَيْصَرَ بِبَعْضِ الشَّأْمِ فَانْطَلَقَ بِي وَبِأَصْحَابِي حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا إِيلِيَاءَ، فَأُدْخِلْنَا عَلَيْهِ، فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي مَجْلِسِ مُلْكِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ التَّاجُ، وَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ عُظَمَاءُ الرُّومِ فَقَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ نَسَبًا‏.‏ قَالَ مَا قَرَابَةُ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ فَقُلْتُ هُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّي، وَلَيْسَ فِي الرَّكْبِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَحَدٌ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ غَيْرِي‏.‏ فَقَالَ قَيْصَرُ أَدْنُوهُ‏.‏ وَأَمَرَ بِأَصْحَابِي فَجُعِلُوا خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي عِنْدَ كَتِفِي، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لأَصْحَابِهِ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ عَنِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ، فَإِنْ كَذَبَ فَكَذِّبُوهُ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَاللَّهِ لَوْلاَ الْحَيَاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ مِنْ أَنْ يَأْثُرَ أَصْحَابِي عَنِّي الْكَذِبَ لَكَذَبْتُهُ حِينَ سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ، وَلَكِنِّي اسْتَحْيَيْتُ أَنْ يَأْثُرُوا الْكَذِبَ عَنِّي فَصَدَقْتُهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُ كَيْفَ نَسَبُ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فِيكُمْ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ عَلَى الْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ قُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ‏.‏ قَالَ فَيَزِيدُونَ أَوْ يَنْقُصُونَ قُلْتُ بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ قُلْتُ لاَ، وَنَحْنُ الآنَ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّةٍ، نَحْنُ نَخَافُ أَنْ يَغْدِرَ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَلَمْ يُمْكِنِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا أَنْتَقِصُهُ بِهِ لاَ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُؤْثَرَ عَنِّي غَيْرُهَا‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ أَوْ قَاتَلَكُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَتْ حَرْبُهُ وَحَرْبُكُمْ قُلْتُ كَانَتْ دُوَلاً وَسِجَالاً، يُدَالُ عَلَيْنَا الْمَرَّةَ وَنُدَالُ عَلَيْهِ الأُخْرَى‏.‏ قَالَ فَمَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ قَالَ يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لاَ نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَنْهَانَا عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا، وَيَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ وَأَدَاءِ الأَمَانَةِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ حِينَ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ قُلْ لَهُ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ فِيكُمْ، فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ ذُو نَسَبٍ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي نَسَبِ قَوْمِهَا، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ يَأْتَمُّ بِقَوْلٍ قَدْ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ‏.‏ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَدَعَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ قُلْتُ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ‏.‏ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمُ اتَّبَعُوهُ، وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَزِيدُونَ أَوْ يَنْقُصُونَ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ، وَكَذَلِكَ الإِيمَانُ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَكَذَلِكَ الإِيمَانُ حِينَ تَخْلِطُ بَشَاشَتُهُ الْقُلُوبَ لاَ يَسْخَطُهُ أَحَدٌ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَغْدِرُ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ لاَ يَغْدِرُونَ‏.‏ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ وَقَاتَلَكُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ قَدْ فَعَلَ، وَأَنَّ حَرْبَكُمْ وَحَرْبَهُ تَكُونُ دُوَلاً، وَيُدَالُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَرَّةَ وَتُدَالُونَ عَلَيْهِ الأُخْرَى، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْتَلَى، وَتَكُونُ لَهَا الْعَاقِبَةُ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ بِمَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ، وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ، وَأَدَاءِ الأَمَانَةِ، قَالَ وَهَذِهِ صِفَةُ النَّبِيِّ، قَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ، وَلَكِنْ لَمْ أَظُنَّ أَنَّهُ مِنْكُمْ، وَإِنْ يَكُ مَا قُلْتَ حَقًّا، فَيُوشِكُ أَنْ يَمْلِكَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ، وَلَوْ أَرْجُو أَنْ أَخْلُصَ إِلَيْهِ لَتَجَشَّمْتُ لُقِيَّهُ، وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ لَغَسَلْتُ قَدَمَيْهِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُرِئَ فَإِذَا فِيهِ ‏"‏ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ، سَلاَمٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى، أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الإِسْلاَمِ، أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ، وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ، فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَعَلَيْكَ إِثْمُ الأَرِيسِيِّينَ وَ‏{‏يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَنْ لاَ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ‏}‏‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قَضَى مَقَالَتَهُ، عَلَتْ أَصْوَاتُ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ عُظَمَاءِ الرُّومِ، وَكَثُرَ لَغَطُهُمْ، فَلاَ أَدْرِي مَاذَا قَالُوا، وَأُمِرَ بِنَا فَأُخْرِجْنَا، فَلَمَّا أَنْ خَرَجْتُ مَعَ أَصْحَابِي وَخَلَوْتُ بِهِمْ قُلْتُ لَهُمْ لَقَدْ أَمِرَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ، هَذَا مَلِكُ بَنِي الأَصْفَرِ يَخَافُهُ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَاللَّهِ مَا زِلْتُ ذَلِيلاً مُسْتَيْقِنًا بِأَنَّ أَمْرَهُ سَيَظْهَرُ، حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ قَلْبِي الإِسْلاَمَ وَأَنَا كَارِهٌ‏.‏
Translation:

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) wrote to Caesar and invited him to Islam and sent him his letter with Dihya Al-Kalbi whom Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) reached Caesar, he said after reading it, 'Seek for me any one of his people! (Arabs of Quraish tribe) if present here, in order to ask him about Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). At that time Abu Sufyan bin Harb was in Sham with some men from Quraish who had come (to Sham) as merchants during the truce that had been concluded between Allah's Messenger (ﷺ); 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 Caesar'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, 'Has 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 increasing 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; sometimes 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 what is entrusted to us.' When I had said that, Caesar said to his translator, 'Say to him: I asked 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 affirmative, 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 negative, 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 Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Heraclius, 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 tillers (i.e. your nation). O people of the Scriptures! 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 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

Sahih Bukhari 2940 Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas
#3 | Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas
Sahih
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَتَبَ إِلَى قَيْصَرَ يَدْعُوهُ إِلَى الإِسْلاَمِ، وَبَعَثَ بِكِتَابِهِ إِلَيْهِ مَعَ دِحْيَةَ الْكَلْبِيِّ، وَأَمَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى لِيَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى قَيْصَرَ، وَكَانَ قَيْصَرُ لَمَّا كَشَفَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ جُنُودَ فَارِسَ مَشَى مِنْ حِمْصَ إِلَى إِيلِيَاءَ، شُكْرًا لِمَا أَبْلاَهُ اللَّهُ، فَلَمَّا جَاءَ قَيْصَرَ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ حِينَ قَرَأَهُ الْتَمِسُوا لِي هَا هُنَا أَحَدًا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ لأَسْأَلَهُمْ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سُفْيَانَ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ بِالشَّأْمِ فِي رِجَالٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ، قَدِمُوا تِجَارًا فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ بَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَبَيْنَ كُفَّارِ قُرَيْشٍ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَوَجَدَنَا رَسُولُ قَيْصَرَ بِبَعْضِ الشَّأْمِ فَانْطَلَقَ بِي وَبِأَصْحَابِي حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا إِيلِيَاءَ، فَأُدْخِلْنَا عَلَيْهِ، فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي مَجْلِسِ مُلْكِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ التَّاجُ، وَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ عُظَمَاءُ الرُّومِ فَقَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ نَسَبًا‏.‏ قَالَ مَا قَرَابَةُ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ فَقُلْتُ هُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّي، وَلَيْسَ فِي الرَّكْبِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَحَدٌ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ غَيْرِي‏.‏ فَقَالَ قَيْصَرُ أَدْنُوهُ‏.‏ وَأَمَرَ بِأَصْحَابِي فَجُعِلُوا خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي عِنْدَ كَتِفِي، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لأَصْحَابِهِ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ عَنِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ، فَإِنْ كَذَبَ فَكَذِّبُوهُ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَاللَّهِ لَوْلاَ الْحَيَاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ مِنْ أَنْ يَأْثُرَ أَصْحَابِي عَنِّي الْكَذِبَ لَكَذَبْتُهُ حِينَ سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ، وَلَكِنِّي اسْتَحْيَيْتُ أَنْ يَأْثُرُوا الْكَذِبَ عَنِّي فَصَدَقْتُهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُ كَيْفَ نَسَبُ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فِيكُمْ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ عَلَى الْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ قُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ‏.‏ قَالَ فَيَزِيدُونَ أَوْ يَنْقُصُونَ قُلْتُ بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ قُلْتُ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ قُلْتُ لاَ، وَنَحْنُ الآنَ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّةٍ، نَحْنُ نَخَافُ أَنْ يَغْدِرَ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَلَمْ يُمْكِنِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا أَنْتَقِصُهُ بِهِ لاَ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُؤْثَرَ عَنِّي غَيْرُهَا‏.‏ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ أَوْ قَاتَلَكُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَتْ حَرْبُهُ وَحَرْبُكُمْ قُلْتُ كَانَتْ دُوَلاً وَسِجَالاً، يُدَالُ عَلَيْنَا الْمَرَّةَ وَنُدَالُ عَلَيْهِ الأُخْرَى‏.‏ قَالَ فَمَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ قَالَ يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لاَ نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَنْهَانَا عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا، وَيَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ وَأَدَاءِ الأَمَانَةِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لِتُرْجُمَانِهِ حِينَ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ قُلْ لَهُ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ فِيكُمْ، فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ ذُو نَسَبٍ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي نَسَبِ قَوْمِهَا، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ يَأْتَمُّ بِقَوْلٍ قَدْ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ‏.‏ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَدَعَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ قُلْتُ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ‏.‏ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ يَتَّبِعُونَهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمُ اتَّبَعُوهُ، وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَزِيدُونَ أَوْ يَنْقُصُونَ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ، وَكَذَلِكَ الإِيمَانُ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، فَكَذَلِكَ الإِيمَانُ حِينَ تَخْلِطُ بَشَاشَتُهُ الْقُلُوبَ لاَ يَسْخَطُهُ أَحَدٌ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَغْدِرُ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ لاَ يَغْدِرُونَ‏.‏ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ وَقَاتَلَكُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ قَدْ فَعَلَ، وَأَنَّ حَرْبَكُمْ وَحَرْبَهُ تَكُونُ دُوَلاً، وَيُدَالُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَرَّةَ وَتُدَالُونَ عَلَيْهِ الأُخْرَى، وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْتَلَى، وَتَكُونُ لَهَا الْعَاقِبَةُ، وَسَأَلْتُكَ بِمَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ، وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ، وَأَدَاءِ الأَمَانَةِ، قَالَ وَهَذِهِ صِفَةُ النَّبِيِّ، قَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ، وَلَكِنْ لَمْ أَظُنَّ أَنَّهُ مِنْكُمْ، وَإِنْ يَكُ مَا قُلْتَ حَقًّا، فَيُوشِكُ أَنْ يَمْلِكَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ، وَلَوْ أَرْجُو أَنْ أَخْلُصَ إِلَيْهِ لَتَجَشَّمْتُ لُقِيَّهُ، وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ لَغَسَلْتُ قَدَمَيْهِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُرِئَ فَإِذَا فِيهِ ‏"‏ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ، سَلاَمٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى، أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الإِسْلاَمِ، أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ، وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ، فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَعَلَيْكَ إِثْمُ الأَرِيسِيِّينَ وَ‏{‏يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَنْ لاَ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ‏}‏‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قَضَى مَقَالَتَهُ، عَلَتْ أَصْوَاتُ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ عُظَمَاءِ الرُّومِ، وَكَثُرَ لَغَطُهُمْ، فَلاَ أَدْرِي مَاذَا قَالُوا، وَأُمِرَ بِنَا فَأُخْرِجْنَا، فَلَمَّا أَنْ خَرَجْتُ مَعَ أَصْحَابِي وَخَلَوْتُ بِهِمْ قُلْتُ لَهُمْ لَقَدْ أَمِرَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ، هَذَا مَلِكُ بَنِي الأَصْفَرِ يَخَافُهُ، قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ وَاللَّهِ مَا زِلْتُ ذَلِيلاً مُسْتَيْقِنًا بِأَنَّ أَمْرَهُ سَيَظْهَرُ، حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ قَلْبِي الإِسْلاَمَ وَأَنَا كَارِهٌ‏.‏
Translation:

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) wrote to Caesar and invited him to Islam and sent him his letter with Dihya Al-Kalbi whom Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) reached Caesar, he said after reading it, 'Seek for me any one of his people! (Arabs of Quraish tribe) if present here, in order to ask him about Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). At that time Abu Sufyan bin Harb was in Sham with some men from Quraish who had come (to Sham) as merchants during the truce that had been concluded between Allah's Messenger (ﷺ); 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 Caesar'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, 'Has 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 increasing 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; sometimes 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 what is entrusted to us.' When I had said that, Caesar said to his translator, 'Say to him: I asked 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 affirmative, 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 negative, 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 Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Heraclius, 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 tillers (i.e. your nation). O people of the Scriptures! 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 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

Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) Sahih Bukhari 2941 Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Islam say about Gratitude?
Islam places great emphasis on Gratitude, considering it an integral part of faith and character.
How can one improve in Gratitude?
By following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and seeking authentic knowledge from the Quran and Hadith.