37/13. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2092e — Letters Sealed with Silver Ring
The Prophet (SAW) Acquired A Ring When He Wanted To Send Letters To The Non-Arabs
Hadith About the Prophet's Silver Seal Ring for Kings
Sahih Muslim : 2092e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2092e
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا نُوحُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ أَخِيهِ، خَالِدِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَرَادَ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ إِلَى كِسْرَى وَقَيْصَرَ وَالنَّجَاشِيِّ . فَقِيلَ إِنَّهُمْ لاَ يَقْبَلُونَ كِتَابًا إِلاَّ بِخَاتِمٍ . فَصَاغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَاتَمًا حَلَقَةً فِضَّةً وَنَقَشَ فِيهِ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ .
Anas Narrated from:
When Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) decided to write to the Kisra (the King of Persia), Caesar (Emperor of Rome), and the Negus (the Emperor of Abyssinia), it was said to him that they would not accept the letter without the seal over it; so Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) got a seal made, the ring of which was made of silver and there was engraved on it: "Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2092eIn-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 97USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 24, Hadith 5218
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2092e
This hadith says that the Prophet wanted to write to Kisra, Caesar, and the Negus. He was told that they would not accept a letter unless it had a seal. So the Messenger of Allah had a seal made, and the ring was made of silver. The engraving on it was Muhammad, Messenger of Allah. This narration is closely searched as Prophet letter to Caesar seal, Prophet silver seal ring, and Sahih Muslim 2092e. The wording gives a practical reason for the ring: it was used as a seal for letters. It also preserves the exact inscription. The explanation should stay with these details and not add outside stories about the letters.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet intended to write to Kisra, Caesar, and the Negus.
- A seal was needed for those letters to be accepted.
- The seal ring was made of silver.
- The engraving was Muhammad, Messenger of Allah.
