Replica of a document attributed to the Prophet Muhammad

The photograph shows a replica, displayed at the Matenadaran, of a document attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is written in Arabic with elements of Ottoman script and mentions the Armenian people.

According to the source, in 626 the Prophet Muhammad issued a decree stating that the Armenian people must not be harmed, nor deprived of their lands and freedom of religion. The decree was carried to Jerusalem by his close companion Omar (Umar ibn al-Khattab). The original is kept in the archive of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

In the display case lies a long paper document rolled at both ends, with lines written in black and red ink. According to the label beside it, these are copies of letters of guarantee given to the Armenians by the Prophet Muhammad and Ali ibn Abu Talib.