The Benefit of the Hadith of Abu Sufyan and Heraclius in Sahih al-Bukhari

The questioner:
He says: In the long hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), regarding Abu Sufyan when Heraclius asked him about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), some students of knowledge say there is no benefit in it. What is your guidance?

The Shaykh:
Glory be to Allah, there is no benefit in it? You are the one who has no benefit. It is a hadith of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). You say there is no benefit? There is benefit. Heraclius acknowledged the attributes of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He said, "If I were to meet him, I would carry his sandals." (peace and blessings be upon him). But when he saw that his people would not accept, he preferred rule over Islam. We ask Allah for well-being. He knew that the Messenger was the truth, fearing for his kingdom, fearing for his kingdom. Otherwise, he acknowledged and knew the signs and attributes of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So how can one say there is no benefit in it?
If the disbelievers acknowledged the attributes of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), yes, you say there is no benefit? Yes.

The questioner:
May Allah reward you. Is it permissible?

The Shaykh:
Abu Sufyan, when Heraclius asked him, he was not a Muslim, but he avoided lying. He avoided lying about the Messenger, because the Arabs have a custom of not lying except rarely. So he avoided lying. Yes.