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Islamic History · July 2, 2026

Seyf b. Dhī Yazan’s Disclosure to Abdulmuttalib of Written Reports About Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Found in a Book Kept by the Yemeni Ruler

Seyf b. Dhī Yazan’s Disclosure to Abdulmuttalib of Written Reports About Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Found in a Book: After Seyf b. Dhī Yazan was appointed by Kisrā as the ruler of Yemen and ascended …

Seyf b. Dhī Yazan’s Disclosure to Abdulmuttalib of Written Reports About Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Found in a Book Kept by the Yemeni Ruler

Seyf b. Dhī Yazan’s Disclosure to Abdulmuttalib of Written Reports About Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Found in a Book: After Seyf b. Dhī Yazan was appointed by Kisrā as the ruler of Yemen and ascended the throne,248 delegations of Arabs from all directions came to congratulate him.249 At the head of the ten-person congratulatory delegation from Mecca was Abdulmuttalib b. Hāshim.250 Abdulmuttalib and his companions greeted the ruler with the royal salutation.251 Abdulmuttalib, as the representative, stood before the ruler.252 He asked the ruler for permission to speak.253 Seyf b. Dhī Yazan said: “If you are among those who can speak before kings, you are granted permission.254 Go ahead and speak!”

he said.255 Abdulmuttalib, after stating his worthiness for the position in which Seyf b. Dhī Yazan was found, his own nobility, that his father was a very virtuous ruler, and that he himself was a worthy successor, said: “O ruler! We are the people of Allah’s inviolable Sanctuary and the custodians of His House (the Kaʿba); we are a delegation to congratulate your victory, not a visiting delegation!” (Murūj, 1/42-43.) The ruler Seyf asked: “O speaker! Who are you?” Abdulmuttalib replied: “I am Abdulmuttalib b. Hāshim.” The ruler said: “So, you are the son of our sister!”256 Abdulmuttalib said: “Yes!” Upon this, the ruler said: “Come closer to me!”

When he approached, the ruler said to both him and his companions:257 “So, you are the Quraysh al-Abāṭiḥ?” They replied: “Yes!”258 The ruler said: “Welcome, welcome! You have come to a king in whose presence you will find safety and peace, and who bestows abundant gifts! The king listened to your initial words and understood your kinship, and accepted the reason for your visit. As long as you stay here, you are worthy of being conversed with day and night,259 of being sat with and spoken to, of being praised,260 of being honored, and when you depart, of being bestowed with gifts.261 You are noble,262 illustrious263 people!”

After saying this, he ordered his retinue to take them to the guest and ambassador residence and host them. His order was carried out. They stayed there for a month. One day, the ruler sent word to Abdulmuttalib:264 “Only you, come to me from among your companions!” When Abdulmuttalib arrived in the ruler’s presence, he found him alone. There was no one else with him. Abdulmuttalib’s mother, Lady Salma, was from the Khazraj. The Khazraj were from the Sabaean lineage of Yemen. Seyf b. Dhī Yazan was also from the Himyar b. Saba lineage. (Suhaylī, 2/88.) The ruler drew Abdulmuttalib near and seated him with himself on his throne.265 “Welcome! You are most welcome!”

After this,266 he said: “O Abdulmuttalib! I will entrust you with a secret of something I know, a secret which, if it were anyone else in your place, I would not reveal! But I have seen its source in you. Therefore, I will disclose it to you! Until the Exalted Allah gives permission in this matter, let this secret remain safe and protected with you! Surely, Allah will fulfill His command. In the Hidden Book, in the knowledge we have reserved for ourselves and kept closed to others, I have found a very great and illustrious report that concerns the honor of life and the virtue of death, that generally concerns all people and your companions, but especially you!”267 Abdulmuttalib said: “O ruler!

May all the nomadic peoples be sacrificed for you in succession! What is that great and illustrious report?” The ruler said: “A child will be born in the region of Tihāma. As a sign, there will be a mark between his two shoulder blades!268 Until the Day of Resurrection, there will be imamate in him, and leadership in you!”269 Abdulmuttalib said: “May no act that would bring curse or aversion issue from Your Excellency!” and greeted him with the royal salutation and supplication: “If it were not necessary to consider the awe and grandeur of the royal station, I would have asked Your Excellency to kindly clarify further the good news that would increase my joy!”

Upon this, the ruler said: “This is the time when He will be born. Indeed, perhaps He has already been born! His name will be Muḥammad; his father and mother will have passed away! His care will be undertaken by his grandfather and uncle! Allah will send Him as a prophet who delivers clear proclamations! From among us, He will have Anṣār (helpers)! He will make His friends mighty through them, and His enemies abased through them! He will conquer the most precious lands of the earth! With His birth, the fire-temple will be extinguished! The One and Only al-Raḥmān will be worshipped! Disbelief and transgressions will be forbidden! Idols will be broken! Satan will be stoned and cast out! His word will distinguish between truth and falsehood, His judgment will be pure justice, complete and perfectly upright!

He will always command and practice good, and forbid and eliminate evil!” Abdulmuttalib said: “May your life be long, your reign enduring, your honor and glory exalted! Would the ruler kindly make some further clarifications that would gladden me in this matter?” The ruler Seyf said: “By the veiled House of Allah (Baytullāh), by the miracles and the heavenly books, O Abdulmuttalib! There is no doubt, you are certainly his ancestor!” Upon this, Abdulmuttalib prostrated to the ground out of joy. The ruler said: “Raise your head from the ground! Your heart is at ease. Your life is lengthened. Your status is elevated! Of what I have told you, is there anything you have realized or attained?”

Abdulmuttalib said: “Yes, O ruler! I had a very beloved son, for whom I was most concerned. I married him to Āmina bint Wahb b. ʿAbd Manāf, the daughter of one of the nobles of your people. Āmina gave birth to a child.270 I named him Muḥammad.271 There is also a mark between his two shoulder blades! All the signs you have described are present in him.272 His father and mother have also passed away. His care has been undertaken by me and his uncle.” Upon this, the ruler Seyf said: “What I have told you about him is as you have said. Protect your son well! Beware of the Jews concerning him!

For the Jews are his enemies! However, Allah will not give them any way or opportunity in this matter. Of the things I have disclosed to you, keep them sealed from your companions in the delegation! Do not say, ‘Let me reveal them!’ I am not sure that they and their sons will not envy the leadership that will be with you and cause him troubles.

If I knew that I would not die before he is sent as a prophet, I would go with my cavalry and infantry,273 make Yathrib (Medina) the land of emigration,274 and the capital of my state!275 I have found in the Speaking Book and in the Former Knowledge that Yathrib will be his land of emigration and victory,276 the place where his mission will be established, and where his grave and helpers will be found!277 How I wish I could protect him from calamities and disasters!” The ruler then gave each delegate of the Quraysh delegation ten slaves, ten maidservants,278 a hundred camels,279 five ratl (ritl) of gold, ten ratl of silver,280 two sets of Yemeni garments, and a box filled with ambergris;

Sources

  1. al-Balādhurī, Ansāb, 1/81.
  2. 247. Ibn Ishāq, Ibn Hishām, 1/178, Ibn Saʿd, 1/119, Yaʿqūbī, 2/13, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/22, Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, 1/34, al-Dhahabī, Tārīkh, p. 54. Ibn Qutayba, Maʿārif, p. 278.
  3. 249. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/23, al-Masʿūdī, Murūj, 2/82-83, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/9, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/122, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/328, 329, al-Ḥalabī, 1/186. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/9, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329. Royal Salutation: “Anʿim ṣabāḥan = May your mornings be blessed! Abaytallānat = May no act that would bring curse or aversion issue from Your Excellency!” (Ibn Qutayba, Maʿārif, p. 13, 271, al-Masʿūdī, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/122, al-Ḥalabī, 1/186.)
  4. 253. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/24, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/9-10, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/122, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Ḥalabī, 1/186. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/96, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/10, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/122, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/240.
  5. 255. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/24, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/12.
  6. 257. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/25, al-Masʿūdī, Murūj, 2/84, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/96, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/11, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/122-123, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Ḥalabī, 1/187. Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/123.
  7. 259. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/25, al-Masʿūdī, Murūj, 2/84, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/10, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Ḥalabī, 1/186. Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/123. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/10, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/122-123, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Diyārbakrī 1/240, al-Ḥalabī, 1/187. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/97, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/10, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329. Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/123.
  8. 264. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/25, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/10, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/123, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Diyārbakrī, 2/240, al-Ḥalabī, 1/186-187. Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/123. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/95.
  9. 267. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/25-26, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/97, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/11-12, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/123, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/204, al-Ḥalabī, 1/187.
  10. 268. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/26, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/97, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/10-12, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/203, al-Ḥalabī, 1/187.
  11. 269. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/26, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/97, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/12, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/203, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/240, al-Ḥalabī, 1/186.
  12. 270. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/26-27, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/97, 98, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/11-13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/126-127, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/329-330, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/203, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/240-241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/187-188. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/97-98, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/12-13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/127, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/330, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/203, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241.
  13. 272. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/27, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98.
  14. 273. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/27, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98-99, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/128, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/330, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/203, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/188.
  15. 274. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/27-28. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98-99, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/1, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/128, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/203-204, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/188.
  16. 276. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/28. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/128, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/330, al-Suyūṭī, Khaṣāʾiṣ, 1/204, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/188.
  17. 278. Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, 2/28, Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/128, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/330, Ibn Khaldūn, Tārīkh, vol. 2, part 1, p. 64, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/188. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/128, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/330, Ibn Khaldūn, Tārīkh, vol. 2, part 1, p. 64, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/188. Abū Nuʿaym, Dalāʾil, 1/98, al-Bayhaqī, Dalāʾil, 2/13, Ibn al-Jawzī, 1/128, Ibn Kathīr, Bidāya, 2/330, al-Diyārbakrī, 1/241, al-Ḥalabī, 1/188.