FU Online, Imam Bukhari's research delegation from the Faculty of Ushuluddin of the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta received a special gift from the leading Central Asian cleric, Habibullah Solih on Sunday (18/02) at his private residence in Tashkent.

The gift was a copy of the Prophet Muhammad's reply letter to Al-Mundzir bin Sawa, a ruler of Bahrain during the time of the Prophet.

In the letter, the Prophet conveyed a message of peace and protection for Al-Mundzir in leading his people with just wisdom, even if he did not embrace Islam, he was still permitted on condition of payment of tax (jizyah).

Habibullah Solih admitted that he obtained a copy of the historic letter at Cambridge London, according to him this valuable literacy is evidence that supports the opinion of some scholars who state that the Prophet Muhammad was not "ummi" (illiterate) but was able to write well. The special gift was also given as a symbol of respect for the delegation's efforts to conduct research activities on the "Legacy of Imam Bukhari" and the support of the Indonesian people for the plan to build the Soekarno Library and Park at the Imam Bukhari Tomb Complex in Samarkand as part of the 1000 Cahaya Indonesia program series for the Amirul Mukminin fil Hadith. In Arabic, the 76-year-old cleric expressed his joy at the 1000 Cahaya Indonesia initiative, "This is the beginning of a long journey full of blessings and mercy from Allah, considering that light is knowledge and everything that is contained in the Qur'an and hadith is light," said the cleric who has written a copy of the Qur'an Mushaf Utsman bin Affan in gold ink 7 times.

Responding to this, Dr. Rifqi Muhammad Fathi, MA, a lecturer in the field of Hadith studies at the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Syarif Hidayatullah expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet Habibullah Solih, a figure who devoted his life to writing the Qur'an and making beautiful calligraphy.
"Through this visit we also gained knowledge that behind the beautiful ornaments behind the motifs of Uzbekistan's architectural art and creative industry, there are semiotic symbols containing words of praise to Allah like a silent wirid amidst the beauty," explained Rifqi who was also appointed as Head of the Imam Bukhari Research Division.
The following is a copy of the letter signed with the Prophet's prophetic stamp addressed to Al Mundzir bin Sawa:
"Peace be upon you. Indeed I praise Allah to you. God, there is no god but Him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I remind you of Allah, because whoever does good, does good to himself. Whoever obeys my messenger and follows
their orders, then a has obeyed me. And whoever does good to them, he has done good
to me."
My messengers have spoken good things about you. I have given you assurance over your people, then
leave the Muslims in their Islamic state.
“As long as you do good, we will not knock you from your position. However, whoever remains a Jew or
Majusi, then he is obliged to pay the jizyah (protection tax)," the writing read.

re-post from the Kalimantan Post page https://kalimantanpost.com/2025/02/berkah-uin-cepat-salinan-surat-personal-rasulullah/