Correcting Answering Islam's Article "THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHET TO THE OMANI PEOPLE"

by

Bassam Zawadi

The article could be accessed here 

The problem seems to be the English translation of the letter that the Prophet sent to the rules of Oman. 

When you read the Arabic, it is not clear at all as the style of Arabic writing is completely different to what we know today. So I do not know the complete translation of the letter. 

However there is a problem when you look at the Arabic letter photograph.  Any Arab could clearly understand and see that the first two lines say, "Bismillahi Al Rahman Al Raheem, Min Muhammad Rasool Allah", which means "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, from Muhammad the Messenger of Allah"

But when you look at the English translation given that statement is not there:

"Peace be upon the one who follows the right path! I call you to Islam. Accept my call, and you shall be unharmed. I am God's Messenger to mankind, and the word shall be carried out upon the miscreants. If, therefore, you recognize Islam, I shall bestow power upon you. But if you refuse to accept Islam, your power shall vanish, my horses shall camp on the expanse of your territory and my prophecy shall prevail in your kingdom."

Therefore, this translation seems to be suspicious to me. Especially when I compare it to the style of the other Prophet's letters. 

Taken from http://www.islamvision.org/LetterstoMonarchs.asp...

LETTERS OF THE PROPHET (pbuh)

Of the many letters sent by the Prophet (Peace be upon him), those written to Heraclius, the Emperor of Byzantine empire, Chosroes II, the Emperor of Iran, Negus, the king of Abyssinia and Muqauqis, the ruler of Egypt, are remarkably significant.

Dihya b. Khalifa al-kalbi, who was assigned to deliver the letter to Heraclius, got it forwarded to the Emperor through the ruler of Busra. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) wrote in this letter(3):

"In the name of Allah, the beneficient, the Merciful, this letter is from Muhammad, the slave and Messenger of God, To Heraclius, the great King of Rome. Blessed are those who follow the guidance"

"After this, verily I call you to Islam. Embrace Islam that you may find peace, and God will give you a double reward. If you reject then on you shall rest the sin of your subjects and followers.(4)

O people of the Book come to that, which is common between you and us; that we will serve none but Allah, nor associate aught with him, nor take others for lords besides God. But if you turn away, then say: bear witness that we are Muslims." (5)

The letter sent to the Chosroes II with Abdullah bin Hudhafa read:

"In the name of Allah, the beneficient, the Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of God, to Kisra, the great King of Persia.

"Peace be upon him who follows the guidance, believes in Allah and His Prophet, bears witness that there is no God but Allah and that I am the Prophet of Allah for the entire humanity so that every man alive is warned of the awe of God. Embrace Islam that you may find peace; otherwise on you shall rest the sin of the Magis." (Al-Tabari, Vol. III, p. 90)

 In the letter (6) addressed to Negus, with 'Amr ibn Umayya Al-Damri the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had written that:

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Negus, the great King of Abyssinia.

"Peace be upon him who follows the guidance."

"After this, Glory be to Allah besides whom there is no God, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Peace, the Faithful, the Protector. I bear witness that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the Spirit of God, and His Word that He cast unto Mary, the Virgin, the good, the pure, so that she conceived Jesus. God created him from His Spirit and His breathing as He created Adam by His hand and His breathing. I call you to God, the Unique, without any associate, and to His obedience and to follow me and to believe in that, which came to me, for I am the Messenger of God. I invite you and your men to the Great Lord. I have accomplished my task and my admonitions, so receive my advice. Peace be upon him who follows the Guidance."(Tabaqat Ibn S'ad, Vol. III, p. 15).

The Letter sent to Muqauqis, the chief of the Copts of Egypt, with Hatib ibn Abi Balta'a said:

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Muqauqis, the Chief of the Copts."

"Peace be upon him who follows the guidance. "

"After this, I call you to Islam that you may find peace, and God will give you a double reward. If you reject, then on you shall be the sin of your countrymen. O people of the Book, come to that which is common between you and us; that we will serve none but Allah, nor associate aught with him, nor take others for lords besides God. But if you turn away, then say: bear witness that we are Muslims." (Mawahib Landuniyah, Vol. III. Pp. 247-48)

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