Muqawqis (Ruler of Egypt)

Muqawqis adalah Coptic Christian ruler (atau Byzantine governor) dari Mesir yang received Nabi Muhammad ﷺ's letter di 7 AH / 628 M. The letter adalah carried oleh companion Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah. Muqawqis adalah identified oleh most modern para ulama as Cyrus dari Aleksandria, Chalcedonian bishop dan Byzantine governor dari Mesir, though some para ulama offer alternative identifications. His response ke Nabi ﷺ's letter adalah most respectful dari any dari major rulers yang received it. He read it, placed it carefully di ivory box, dan dictated diplomatic reply acknowledging Nabi ﷺ's message dengan respect but declining ke mualaf, citing his position dan difficulty dari changing his religion. He sent valuable gifts: two Coptic women (Maria dan her sister Sirin), thousand gold pieces, twenty fine garments, mule named Duldul, donkey named Ya'fur, dan large amount dari honey. The Prophet ﷺ accepted gifts. Maria al-Qibtiyyah became mother dari Nabi ﷺ's son Ibrahim. Muqawqis's respectful response contrasts sharply dengan arrogance dari Khosrow dan adalah part dari Seerah's portrayal dari different ways rulers dari dunia responded ke final message. When Muslim armies under Amr ibn al-As conquered Mesir di 641 M, Coptic Christian population — yang memiliki long been oppressed under Byzantine rule — largely welcomed conquest.