The Reply of Muqauqis to Rasulullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Letter

Muqauqis gave the letter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to a servant to be put away for safekeeping. He then called a writer who knew Arabic to write a reply to the letter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and he dictated to the writer the following:

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

This letter is to Muhammad Bin Abdullah, from Muqauqis, Leader of the Copts

Peace be upon you

I have read your letter, and I understand what you have mentioned and what you are inviting us to. I knew from before that a Nabi was to come. But I thought that he would appear in the Land of Shaam.

I have treated your envoy with respect and honour, and I am sending with him for you two slave-girls (Maariyah and Seereen) who hold a distinguished rank among the Copts, some clothing and a mule for your use.

Peace

All of this is written in Mawaahib-e-Ladunniyah and afterwards it is written that after reading the letter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Muqauqis simply praised Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and together with his letter he sent the aforementioned gifts, but he did not accept Islam.

(Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam Kee Saahbzaadiya)