Description
After Heraclius, Caesar of the Byzantine Empire, had captured Constantinople from the Persians in 628 C.E., he went to Jerusalem to thank God for his victory. In the ancient holy city, he received a most extraordinary letter from a land further to the East:
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. From Muhammad, slave and messenger of God, to Heraclius, ruler of Byzantium. Peace upon all who follow Guidance: I call you with the call to submission to God. Surrender to God, and you will be safe. Surrender to God, and God will give you a double reward. If you turn away, then the misdeeds of the peasants will be your fault. People of the Book, come to a Word common to both of us, that we worship only God.
Heraclius summoned a noble Arab to inquire about the author of this letter. Afterwards he declared, "I asked what he enjoins upon you, and you stated that he enjoins you to worship God, and not to associate anything with God, and not to worship the fetishes of your anc
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