400 In the year of Deputations, 10th of the Hijrah, came a Christian embassy from Najran (towards Yaman, about 150 miles north of San 1 a). They were much impressed on hearing this passage of the Qur'an explaining the true position of Christ, and they entered into tributary relations with the new Muslim State . But ingrained habits and customs prevented them from accepting Islam as a body. The Prophet, firm in his faith, proposed a Mub a halah, i.e., a solemn meeting, in which both sides should summon not only their men, but their women and children, earnestly pray to Allah, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who should lie. Those who had a pure and sincere faith would not hesitate. The Christians declined, and they were dismissed in a spirit of tolerance with a promise of protection from the State in return for tribute, "the wages of rule," as it is called in the A' ini Akbari .