Hercules and Islam
Arabia, during the time of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (s), was a country without any central authority. It
was a country far from the civilized nations of those days.
At the time Prophet Muhammad (s) was
spreading Islam; asking people to turn away from worshipping idols to
worshipping Allah, the Almighty, the All-Knower, the Master.
The Prophet sent letters of invitation
to Kings and Rulers of various countries in the world, inviting them to
embrace Islam. Many of the letters were met with a favorable response
whilst others were rejected. In many cases, the messengers of the
Prophet were badly treated and abused. But the Prophet was not worried
by these setbacks. He was inviting people to the right path and a few
setbacks could not deter him from propagating Islam.
Abu Sufyan a leader of the tribe of
Quraish and the arch enemy of the Prophet was in Constantinople on a
business trip, when the Prophet's letter of invitation reached Hercules,
the Byzantine emperor of Eastern Roman Empire. Hercules, at the time was
in his court at Constantinople celebrating his victory over the
Persians.
Hercules read the letter through an
interpreter and then asked the people in his court, to find out if there
was someone in the city, who knew the Prophet. Abu Sufyan with his
companions was brought into the court.
The emperor asked Abu Sufyan, "What
kind of family does Muhammad belong to?"
"Noble", replied Abu Sufyan
"Has there been a king in his family?"
Hercules asked.
"No," said Abu Sufyan
"Are the people who have accepted his
religion poor or rich?", Hercules questioned again.
"They are poor", replied Abu Sufyan.
Hercules was now becoming more and more
interested and he went on asking questions.
His next question was, "Are his
followers on the increase or decrease?"
"Increasing", Abu Sufyan replied
shortly.
"Have you known him to tell lies"?
asked Hercules.
"No", admitted Abu Sufyan.
"Does he ever go against his
convents?", Hercules once again asked.
"Not so far. But we have to see whether
he carries out the new agreement made between us and him", Abu Sufyan
answered lengthily for a change.
"Have you ever fought him in wars?"
Hercules questioned.
"Yes", answered Abu Sufyan
"What has been the result?" Hercules
asked, getting more and more interested.
"Sometimes we have won, sometimes he",
replied Abu Sufyan.
"What does he teach?" asked Hercules
"Worship One God, join no partners with
Him, carry out your prayers, be chaste, speak the truth and keep union
with your relatives", answered Abu Sufyan, even surprised at his own
answer as it sounded like he was preaching Islam.
Hercules stood up and said, "If all you
said is true, then I am sure that this Prophet's Kingdom will reach here
where I am standing. I was certain that a Prophet was coming, but I
didn't know that he would be born in Arabia. If I were to go there, I
would embrace Islam and wash the Prophet's feet with my own hands."
This was the way in which the Prophet
spread Islam. He impressed them by his truthfulness, honesty, noble
character and dedication in the service of Allah. He did not compel
people to accept Islam under threat of waging wars, nor did he compel
people to accept Islam by the force of the sword. He fought only in
defense, and only when the enemies waged war on him. |