Hasan al-Kasham, a Yemeni collector living in Doha, the capital of Qatar, is to sell a letter that he claims is the original letter written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to the Byzantine king Heraclius. The Yemeni collector, who emphasizes that this is the original letter, says that scientific tests carried out Germany support his claim.

Al-Kashim, who says that he is the owner of the original letter, states that it was left to him by his family, who have taken great care of the work as it was a treasure of Islam.

Al-Kasham said: "I am looking for a place where this work will be taken under protection, where it will be given the value it deserves; I hope that with the message of tolerance of Islam that this letter, written to the state leaders and kings at the time of Prophet Muhammad, presents, will be passed down to those living now and future generations."

When asked "What do you say to the claims of the Istanbul Topkapı Palace Museum and the Ahl-i Beyt Society that they have the original of this letter?" the Yemeni collector replied "Those who claim that the letter I have is not original should prove their claims by scientific means."

Contents of the Letter (bu ayni haberin devami betulcum)

According to Sahihi Bukhari, Muslim and Ibn-i Hisham's book Siret-i Nabawi, the contents of the letter that Prophet Muhammad sent to the Byzantine King Heraclius are as follows:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

 This letter is to Heraclius, the ruler of the Byzantines, from Muhammad the servant of Allah and his Apostle.

Peace be upon him who follows the right path. Furthermore, I invite you to Islam; if you become a Muslim you will be saved, and Allah will double your reward; if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your subjects. I recite to you the statement of Allah:

O People of the Scriptures! Come to a word that is shared between you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah). (Al'i Imran 3/ 64)