LETTER TO THE KINGS OF HIMAYAR

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.



From Muhammad, Prophet of Allah--,



To Haris, etc.



May peace be on you, till you believe in Allah and His Prophet



Undoubtedly Allah is He Who is unique and Who has no associate. he sent Musa (Moses,A.S.) with miracles and created Isa (Jesus, A.S.) by His word. But the Jews say that "Uzair is son of Allah" and the Christians say that Isa (A.S.) is son of Allah and is one out of the three".



Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad



Note: The Kings of Himyar after listening to the letter, gladly accepted Islam, sent a delegation to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) to communicate the news of their acceptance of Islam. The Himyar dynasty ruled over the southern part of Yemen, in the time of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). Yemen then comprised the south Western portion of Arabia and its area was over 127 thousand square miles. The two brothers whom the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) addressed a letter also ruled over parts of Yemen.





SECOND LETTER TO THE KINGS OF THE HIMYAR







'The Holy Prophet expressed his deep sense of joy at the acceptance of Islam by the Kings of Himyar and communicated to them injunctions about Zakat and Jizia in the letter that follows:



In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.



From Muhammad, Prophet of Allah,



To Kings of Himyar



May peace be on you. I praise Allah, except Whom there is none to be worshipped.



Your messengers reached here at the time of my return from Room (Byzantium). They delivered your message; related details of your war against the infidels and conditions existing there. Allah has honoured you with His guidance. You should make the obedience of Allah and His Prophet obligatory on you.



Keep saying prayers, paying Zakat and fifth of the benefits gained in religious wars, for Allah and His Prophet.



Allah has fixed the payment of charity money on landed property and it is Ushr (One tenth of the produce in rainfed; and canal irrigated lands and in the case of well-irrigated lands, it is at the rate of half Ushr(One twentieth). As Zakat per 40 camels one she-camel; per 30 camels, one young camel; per 5 camels a goat and per 10 camels two goats, be given.



A young goat per 40 sheep, and goats. This is the rate of Zakat on cattle.



This rate of Zakat has been made obligatory on the Muslims. Whoever gives more than this, it is a source of more Sawa Recompense) for him.



But whoever pays the fixed amount; and proclaims his (acceptance of) Islam and helps the Muslims against infidels is a Muslim. Similarly all the duties and responsibilities of the Muslims shall be applicable to him.



For the fulfilment of this promise, I give the guarantee of Allah and His Prophet.



If a Jew or a Christian embraces Islam, he shall be treated in the same manner. Whoever wishes to continue in Jewish or Christian religion, shall not be forced to change his religion, but he shall have to pay Jiziya, the rate of which for each adult is one dinar, or its equivalent in value, cloth of the same value. Whoever shall pay this amount to the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.), the responsibility for his protection shall be that of Allah and His Prophet. Whoever refuses Jiziya, shall be regarded as an enemy of Allah and His Prophet.'



Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad