Hazrat Haatib Bin Abi Balta’ah’s Conversation with Muqauqis

Taking the letter (of Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Haatib Bin Abi Balta’ah (Radhiyallahu anhu) left as the envoy of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

When he reached Alexandria, he handed over the letter to Muqauqis. Muqauqis treated Hazrat Haatib with great honour and respect. He opened the letter and read it. After reading it, he said to Hazrat Haatib: “If he is a Nabi then why did he not curse me so that he could vanquish me thereby?”

Hazrat Haatib (Radhiyallahu anhu) gave the following incriminating response: “You follow Isa (Alaihis Salaam). Tell me, why did he not curse his enemies to vanquish them?”

Muqauqis repeated his question and Hazrat Haatib (Radhiyallahu anhu) gave the same answer. Then Muqauqis remained silent. Taking advantage of the silence, Hazrat Haatib (Radhiyallahu anhu) said:

“Before you there was a person (Fir’oun) who declared himself to be Rabbul A’laa (the Lord Most High). Then, Allah inflicted upon him punishment in this world and in the Aakhirah and took revenge from him so that he became a lesson for others. Let it not be that Allah seizes you and makes you a lesson for others.”

Listening to this, Muqauqis replied: “We are steadfast on one Deen. We will only leave it for a Deen that is better than ours.”

In reply to this Hazrat Haatib (Radhiyallahu anhu) resolutely gave a further invitation to Islam and said: “I am inviting you towards a Deen that is better than yours. Our invitation is towards the Deen of Allah, which makes all other religions obsolete.

Undoubtedly, this Nabi (whose envoy I am) has invited people to Islam. As a result, the Quraish became hellbent on persecuting him, the Yahood have become his implacable foes whilst the Ansaar were at the forefront of showing him friendship and love (as they became Muslims quickly).”

(Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Kee Saahbzaadiya)