The Prophet [pbuh] despatched
‘Al-‘Ala’ bin Al-Hadrami to the governor of Bahrain, carrying a
letter inviting him to embrace Islam. In reply, Al-Mundhir bin
Sawa wrote the following letter:
"Allâh’s Messenger
[pbuh]! I
received your injunctions. Prior to this, I read your letter,
which you wrote to the people of Bahrain extending to them an
invitation to Islam. Islam appealed to some of them and they
entered the fold of Islam, while others did not find it appealing.
In my country, there live Magians and Jews, and therefore you may
inform me of the treatment to be extended to them."
The Prophet [pbuh] wrote the
following letter in reply to his:
"In the Name of Allâh,
the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad,
Messenger of Allâh to Mundhir bin Sawa.
Peace be on you! I
praise Allâh with no associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad
is His slave and Messenger.
Thereafter, I remind
you of Allâh, the Mighty, the Glorious. Whoever accepts
admonition, does it for his own good. Whoever follows my
messengers and acts in accordance with their guidance, he, in
fact, accepts my advice.
My messengers have
highly praised your behaviour. You shall continue in your present
office. Give the new Muslims full chance to preach their religion.
I accept your recommendation regarding the people of Bahrain, and
I pardon the offences of the offenders; therefore, you may also
forgive them.
Of the people of
Bahrain whoever wants to go on in their Jewish or Magian faith,
should be made to pay Jizya (poll-tax)."
[Za'd
Al-Ma'ad
3/61,62]