The Prophet [pbuh] wrote to Juraij
bin Matta [Rahmat-al-lil'alameen 1/178;
Dr. Hamidullah said that his name was Binyamin], called
Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt and Alexandria saying:
"In the Name of Allâh,
the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad slave of
Allâh and His Messenger to Muqawqas, vicegerent of
Egypt.
Peace be upon him who
follows true guidance. Thereafter, I invite you to accept Islam.
Therefore, if you want security, accept Islam. If you accept
Islam, Allâh, the Sublime, shall reward you doubly. But if you
refuse to do so, you will bear the burden of the transgression of
all the Copts.
"Say
(O Muhammad ([pbuh]: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and
Christians), come to a word that is just between us and you,
that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate no
partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as
lords besides Allâh.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear
witness that we are Muslims.’ " [Al-Qur'an 3:64]
Hatib bin Abi
Balta‘a, who was
chosen to communicate the message, requested an audience with
Muqawqas before imparting the contents of the letter. He addressed
Egypt’s vicegerent saying: "There used to be someone before you
who had arrogated the status of the Supreme Lord, so Allâh
punished him and made an example of him in the Hereafter, and in
this life; therefore, take warning and never set a bad example to
others." Muqawqas answered: "We are in no position to relinquish
our religion except for a better one." Hatib resumed: "We invite
you to embrace Islam, which will suffice you all what you may
lose. Our Prophet has called people to profess this Faith, Quraish
and the Jews stood against him as bitter enemies, whereas
Christians stood closest to his Call. Upon my life, Moses’s news
about Christ is identical to the latter’s good tidings about the
advent of Muhammad; likewise, this invitation of ours to you to
embrace Islam is similar to your invitation to the people of Torah
to accept the New Testament. Once a Prophet rises in a nation, he
is eligible for positive response, hence you are subject to the
same Divine Law. Bear in mind that we have not come to dissuade
you from religion of Christ but rather bidding you to adhere to
its tenets." Muqawqas meditated over the contents of the letter
deeply and said: "I have come to the conviction that this Prophet
bids nothing abominable; he is neither a straying magician nor a
lying soothsayer. He bears the true manifest seeds of Prophethood,
and so I will consider the affair deeply." He took the parchment
and ordered that it be kept in an ivory casket. He called a scribe
to write the following reply in Arabic:
"In the Name of Allâh,
the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muqawqas to
Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah.
Peace be upon you. I
have read your letter and understood its contents, and what you
are calling for. I already know that the coming of a Prophet is
still due, but I used to believe he would be born in Syria. I am
sending you as presents two maids, who come from noble Coptic
families; clothing and a steed for riding on. Peace be upon
you."
It is noteworthy that Muqawqas did
not avail himself of this priceless opportunity and he did not
embrace Islam. The presents were accepted; Maria, the first maid,
stayed with the Prophet [pbuh], and gave birth to his son
Ibrahîm; the other Sirin, was given to Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari.