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 (R.A.A.) 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 (S.A.W.) and was highly moved by the account of the Holy Prophet. He remarked that exactly the same account of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) 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 (S.A.W.) 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 Mecca, but ultimately the Ghassani rule was effaced from Syria in the 14th Hijra i.e. 625 A.D.