The king of Rome was Hirqil (Heraclius) who first of all gathered information about the Prophet (pbuh). Then he advised his courtiers to accept the faith of Islam but they did not agree to his proposal and were ready to revolt. So the ruler did not accept the Faith lest he should lose his throne. The king collected information about the Prophet (pbuh) by issuing orders to present before him anyone coming from Makkah to Syria. Abu Sufyan was found and was presented to the ruler along with some other men. Abu Sufyan had several skirmishes with the Prophet (pbuh) and he was his strong critic.
Abu Sufyan says that he was brought to the town of Elia. The court was full of important royal officers and Hirqil was sitting wearing his crown. He asked his interpreter to ask who was close in kinship to the man who was pronouncing as Prophet (pbuh).
Abu Sufyan: I am his kin.
Hirqil: What is the nature of kinship ?
Abu Sufyan: He is my cousin. And I say so because none in the caravan except me is the descendant of Abd Manaf.
Hirqil: Call him to come in front and get his colleagues stand beside him. I shall ask him some questions. Direct colleagues to point out when Abu Sufyan told a lie.
Abu Sufyan said that he would have said many things but he did not as he was afraid of being contradicted by his colleagues.
Hirqil: What is his lineage?
Abu Sufyan: He comes of a good family.
Hirqil: Did any one make a claim like this before?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Hirqil: Did any one allege him to be a liar?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Hirqil: Was any one of his forefathers a king?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Hirqil: Who is accepting his religion, the rich or the poor?
Abu Sufyan: The poor.
Hirqil: Are his followers increasing or decreasing?
Abu Sufyan: They are increasing.
Hirqil: Do his followers retract in disgust?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Hirqil: Does he break pledges?
Abu Sufyan: No, but an agreement has been recently reached between us, and I hope he would deviate from the agreed terms.
Abu Sufyan said that he could not say anything beyond this against the Prophet (pbuh) lest his companions might contradict.
Hirqil: Did you have skirmishes with him?
Abu Sufyan: Yes.
Hirqil: What was the result?
Abu Sufyan: Sometimes he won and sometimes we did.
Hirqil: What is his message?
Abu Sufyan: He asks us to worship only one God and attribute no partners to Him in this respect. He also says not to worship idols or deities of ancestors. He directs us to offer prayers and give alms. He also exhorts us to be pious and God-fearing, observant of promises and trustworthy.
The letter of the Messenger (pbuh) to the chief of Bahrain Mundhir bin Sawi inviting him to embrace Islam. The king then asked his interpreter to explain to him (Abu Sufyan):
"You say that he is of a good lineage. Prophets are always of good lineage.
You also admit that none had made such claims earlier. Had this been the case, I would have concluded that he was also following them.
You admit that none had made any allegation against him of telling a lie before his declaration of being a Prophet. So it is not possible that he is telling a lie about God when he has not behaved as such in human dealings. You also admit that none among his ancestors was a ruler. Had it been so, there could have been a case for pretension to acquire a kingdom.
You again admit that the poor and destitute are entering upon his religious kingdom. And history speaks that only such people are first attracted to Prophets.
You also agree that the Muslims are increasing in number. This indicates the impact of Faith which goes on progressing till it is perfected.
You also admit that none retract from his Faith. This is the proof of the efficacy of Faith which once grounded in the heart, does not recoil. You agree that he never breaks his promises. Undoubtedly Prophets are made of such stuff.
You say that there had been battles between you and him, and sometimes you won and sometimes he had won. Prophets, too, are put to such tests but ultimately victory is theirs.
You told that he asks people to worship none but only one God. He also forbids idol worship or paying respect to other deities. He asks to offer prayers and be truthful, pious and trustworthy. These are doubtless the ways of the Prophets."
The king further added that he knew that a Prophet was about to appear but he never thought he would emerge from Arabia. He (Hirqil) further said:
"See, if your statements are true, he would sweep this country as well where I am reigning today. I long to be with him and wash his feet."
