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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Probe into the History of Ashura' Chapter 27: Abu Sufyan Admits the Greatness of the Holy Prophet According to Insanul Uyun, Seera-e Nabawiyya, Tarikh-e Tabari and Kamil Ibn Athir, when the Caesar received the Holy Prophet's letter he became curious and ordered a man from the Hijaz to be found out and brought to him so that he might make investigations about Muhammad.

By chance at that time Abu Sufyan and some other Qurayshites had gone to Syria for the purpose of trade. They were taken to Jerusalem and were presented at the Caesar's court. He asked them: "Who amongst you is most closely related to the man who claims to be the Prophet of Allah?" Abu Sufyan replied: "I am more closely related to him than all others". It was a fact because none of the Qurayshites in the caravan, except Abu Sufyan, was a descendant of Abd Munaf.

Caesar said: "What is your relationship with Muhammad?" Abu Sufyan replied: "He is the son of my uncle". Caesar said: "Come nearer". After this he ordered the companions of Abu Sufyan to stand behind him.

Then he turned to the interpreter and said: "Tell the companions of Abu Sufyan that I have made him sit before them so that I may question him about the man who claims to be the Prophet of Allah and I have made them sit behind him so that if he tells a lie they may not feel ashamed on account of looking him in the face and may contradict him.

Abu Sufyan used to say later: "I swear by Allah that if I had not been afraid that if I told a lie those persons would contradict me, I would have told a lie. However, I felt ashamed and spoke the truth against my wish". The following conversation took place between the Caesar and Abu Sufyan: Caesar: To what sort of family does this proclaimer of prophet hood belong? Abu Sufyan: He belongs to a noble family. Caesar: Did anyone amongst you make such a claim earlier? Abu Sufyan: No.

Caesar: Did he ever tell a lie before he claimed to be a Prophet? Abu Sufyan : No. Caesar: Has there been any king among his ancestors? Abu Sufyan: No. Caesar: How is his wisdom, understanding and intelligence? Abu Sufyan: We have not observed any defect in his wisdom, understanding and intelligence. Caesar: What kind of people has embraced this religion? The nobles and aristocrats or the middle class and the poor? Abu Sufyan: The middle class and the poor.

Caesar: Are his followers increasing or decreasing? Abu Sufyan: They are increasing day after day.