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Text and translation
English translation
5220. It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ wore a ring of gold for three days, and when his Companions saw it, gold rings became popular. Then he threw it away and we did not realize what he had done. Then he ordered that a ring of silver be
made, and that (the words): "Muḥammad Rasûl Allâh" be engraved on it. It remained on the hand of the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ until he died, then on the hand of Abû Bakr until he died, then on the hand of 'Umar until he died. Then (it remained) on the hand of 'Uthmân for the first six years of his duties, but when he had to write many letters, he gave it to a man from among Anṣâr who used to seal letters with it. Then the Anṣâr went out to a well belonging to 'Uthmân and the ring fell. They looked for it but could not find it. He ordered that a similar ring be made and engraved (the words): "Muḥammad Rasûl Allâh" on it. (Hasan)
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Commentary
1. The blessed signet ring of the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ remained after him in the hands of the Rightly Guided Caliphs or Khulafa by way of necessity and blessedness; not by way of owned property. When that signet ring was lost, the period of tribulations and corruption started. In other words, a thing of great blessing was lifted. It was, after all, the signet ring of the Seal of the Prophets.
2. 'Many letters': Hence, he encountered a hardship in sealing them again and again. He, therefore, appointed an Ansari to set the seals.
3. 'In the well': The name of this well was Aris (the well of Aris: Bir' Aris). In order to search for the signet ring, the well was emptied of its water; every inch of the well was combed, but the signet ring was not to be found.
4. 'He ordered that a similar ring be made': Although Allâh's Messenger ﷺ had forbidden people from engraving them. But this signet ring was fashioned as a replacement of the original ring of the Prophet ﷺ. Besides, the Prophet's ﷺ motive was to close the door of deception and false imitation. But due to the loss of the original, this apprehension does not remain in the event of its replication. Dubiousness and deception would have occurred, had there been so many signet rings bearing the same engraving. So to speak, the basis of commandments are their objectives or goals, not the apparent words. And this principle is worth retention.
