Letter to the Vicegerent of Egypt, Called Muqawqas
The Prophet wrote to Juraij bin Matta [Rahmat-al-lil'alameen1/178; Dr. Hamidullah said that his name was Binyamin], called Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt and Alexandria saying:
"In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.From Muhammad slave of Allâh and His Messenger toMuqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt.Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Thereafter, Iinvite you to accept Islam. Therefore, if you want security,accept Islam. If you accept Islam, Allâh, the Sublime, shallreward you doubly. But if you refuse to do so, you will bear theburden of the transgression of all the Copts."Say (O Muhammad O people of the Scripture (Jews andChristians), come to a word that is just between us and you,that we worship none but AllÃH(subhanahu watala), and that we associate nopartners with Him, and that none of us shall take others aslords besides AllÃH(subhanahu watala) Then, if they turn away, say: ˜Bearwitness that we are Muslims."
[Al-Qur'an 3:64]
Hatib bin Abi Balta, who was chosen to communicate The Message, requested an audience with Muqawqas before impartingthe contents of the letter. He addressed Egypt’s vicegerent saying:"There used to be someone before you who had arrogated the status of the Supreme Lord, so AllAH(subhanahu watala) punished him and made an example of him in the Here after, and in this life; therefore, take warning and never set a bad example to others." Muqawqas answered: "We are in no position to relinquish our religion except for a better one." Hatib resumed: "We invite you to embrace Islam,which will suffice you all what you may lose. Our Prophet has called people to profess this Faith, Quraish and the Jews stood against him as bitter enemies, where as Christians stood closest tohis Call. Upon my life, Moses(pbuh) news about Christ is identical to the latter good tidings about the advent of Muhammad; like wise,this invitation of ours to you to embrace Islam is similar to your invitation to the people of Torah to accept the New Testament.
Once a Prophet rises in a nation, he is eligible for positive response, hence you are subject to the same Divine Law. Bear in mind that we have not come to dissuade you from religion of  Christ but rather bidding you to adhere to its tenets."Muqawqas meditated over the contents of the letter deeply and said: "I havecome to the conviction that this Prophet bids nothing abominable;he is neither a straying magician nor a lying soothsayer. He bearsthe true manifest seeds of Prophethood, and so I will consider theaffair deeply." He took the parchment and ordered that it be kept inan ivory casket. He called a scribe to write the following reply in Arabic:
"In the Name of AllAH(subhana hu watala), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.From Muqawqas to Muhammad bin Abdullah(pbuh).Peace be upon you. I have read your letter and understood its contents, and what you are calling for. I already know that thecoming of a Prophet is still due, but I used to believe he wouldbe born in Syria. I am sending you as presents two maids, whocome from noble Coptic families; clothing and a steed forriding on. Peace be upon you."
It is note worthy that Muqawqas did not avail himself of this priceless opportunity and he did not embrace Islam. The presents were accepted; Maria, the first maid, stayed with the Prophet
and gave birth to his son Ibrahim; the other Sirin, was given to Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari.
