CHOSROES II, SIROES, AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD (628 CE)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prevailed over the Meccans in the ‘Battle of Trench.’ Abu Sufyan had mustered an army of more than ten thousand with the support from his arab and Jewish allies. It was the largest army in the history of Arab warfare. They laid the seige of Medina, which lasted for about a month. In the end, the Meccan army left after their great loss of provisions and men from the rain and excessive wind storm.

The news of the outcome of this battle and Prophet Muhammad’s increasing authority in and around Medina alarmed the neighboring rulers. Before Chosroes II received Prophet’s letter, he sent an order to Badhan, his viceroy in the Yemen, asking for information about the Prophet’s strength. Badhan sent two envoys to Medina to gather the needed information. According to fashion prevalent at the Persian court, the envoys had shaved their beards and grown long moustaches. Their appearance was abhorrent to the Prophet and he asked, "Who asked you to do this?" "Our lord," they said, meaning Chosroes. The Prophet then said, “My Lord [Allah (The One True God)] has ordered me to grow my beard and cut short my moustache." After some deliberations, he sent them away telling them to see him the next day. That night the Archangel Gabriel (pbuh) told the Prophet that on the same day there had been an uprising in Persia in which Chosroes had been killed, and his son was now the ruler.

When the envoys returned, the Prophet told them of the bad news and asked them to convey it to the viceroy. Then he added: "Tell him that my religion and my empire will reach far beyond the kingdom of Chosroes; and say to him from me: Enter Islam, and I will confirm you in what you have, and I will appoint you king over the people of Yemen." The envoys returned to Sana, not knowing what to conclude, and delivered the message to Badhan. Upon hearing it, he said: "We will see what happens next. If what he said is true, then he is the prophet whom God has sent."

Within days, a messenger arrived from Siroes, the new Shah, informing Badhan what had happened, and demanded their allegiance. Instead of replying to Siroes, Badhan, the two envoys and other Persians close to him entered Islam. Badhan then sent a message to Medina proclaiming his Islam, and the Prophet confirmed his rule over the Yemen. This event was the fulfillment of the first flash of light from the trench.

The Prophet's letter reached Mada'in after the death of Chosroes, so it was delivered to his successor. Siroes was infuriated at the boldness of the Prophet addressing him on equal terms - “From Muhammad bin Abdullah to Chosroes the Chief of Persia.” The wording of the Prophet's letter was similar to those sent to other Kings. Siroes' sole answer was to tear it in pieces. Upon hearing this the Prophet said “Even so, O Lord, tear from him his kingdom.” The Prophet’s supplication was heard and Allah gave Muslims the dominion over Persia within ten years. It was fulfilled during the leadership of the Second Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra). Also, this was the beginning of the fulfillment of the third flash of light from the trench.

Allah: Allah is the proper name in Arabic for The One and Only God, The Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It is used by the Arab Christians and Jews for the God (Eloh-im in Hebrew; 'Allaha' in Aramaic, the mother tongue of Jesus, pbuh). The word Allah does not have a plural or gender. Allah does not have any associate or partner, and He does not beget nor was He begotten. SWT is an abbreviation of Arabic words that mean 'Glory Be To Him.'
pbuh: Peace Be Upon Him. This expression is used for all Prophets of Allah.
ra: Radiallahu Anhu (May Allah be pleased with him).