The Prophet Muḥammad’s Ring:Raw Materials, Status, and Gender in Early Islam

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this article is to illuminate the medieval legal discussion of the Prophet Muḥammad’s ring as an object of multiple meanings: personal adornment and fashion on one hand and religious, ruling status symbol on the other hand. The article will focus on the descriptions of Muḥammad’s ring in two complementary aspects; materially, meaning the ring itself, and symbolically, meaning the message. The Prophet Muḥammad’s signet is an example of a well-known commodity that was singularized, became unique and sacred, hence, its subjective power and value was strengthened. The Prophet’s ring lost its value as commodity and became unique to the Prophet and his believers, a declarative public representation of the connection between the divine power and his earthly messenger. It became a manifestation of the Prophet’s exclusiveness and prestige, and it serves as a means to identify him and his unique status.