(10th Year of the Migration, the month of Rabiul-Awwal /AD 631)

The Messenger of God sent Khalid b. Walid to Sons of Harith b. Ka’b living around Najran in Yemen with four hundred mujahids.[1]

The order of the Messenger of God to Khalid b. Walid was as follows:

“Invite them to Islam for three days. If they agree, do whatever is necessary; if they avoid agreeing, fight them.”[2]

Khalid arrived somewhere near Najran with the mujahids under his command. He sent cavalrymen from different directions as envoys and invited Sons of Harith b. Ka’b to Islam three days on end. Finally, the people of Najran accepted the invitation and became Muslims.[3]

Thereupon, Khalid stayed with them for a while to teach them about the decrees of Islam. Then, he informed the Messenger of God about the situation by writing a letter. He asked the Prophet what he should do. 

The Reply of the Prophet to Khalid

The Messenger of God wrote the following reply to Khalid’s letter and sent it to him.

“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim!

From the Messenger of God Muhammad to Khalid b. Walid…

Peace be upon you!

I praise God, except whom there is no God, for what you did.

I received the letter brought by the envoy. You wrote in your letter that Sons of Harith b. Ka’b became Muslims without resisting, believed in God, who has no partners, witnessed that Muhammad is God’s slave and Messenger and that God guided them to the true path.

Give them the good news that they will receive the bounties of the hereafter if they act in accordance with the orders of God and His Messenger; frighten them with torture in the hereafter if they act contrarily to the orders of God and His Messenger.

Now, you can come back. Bring their envoys with you.

May God’s peace, mercy and blessing be upon you.”[4]

Khalid b. Walid Comes to Madinah with the Delegation of Sons of Harith

Upon the order of the Messenger of God, Khalid came toMadinah with a delegation of Sons of Harith. The envoys went to the presence of the Messenger of God and informed him that they had become Muslims. 

The Prophet appointed Qays b. Husayn, who was among the envoys, as the governor and commander of Sons of Harith b. Ka’b.  

After staying in Madinah for a while, the envoys returned to their land with the gifts given by the Messenger of God.[5]


[1]Ibn Hisham, Sirah, Vol. 4, p. 239; Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat, Vol. 1, p. 339; Tabari, Tarikh, Vol. 3, p. 156.

[2]Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 239; Ibn Sa’d, ibid, Vol. 1, p. 339.

[3]Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 239; Ibn Sa’d, ibid, Vol. 1, p. 339; Tabari, Tarikh, Vol. 3, p. 156.

[4]Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 239-240; Tabari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 156.

[5]Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 239-240; Tabari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 157.