The Book of Dress – Kitab al-Libas
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to write to the Byzantines, it was said to him, “Those people do not read your letter unless it is stamped.” So the Prophet (ﷺ) took a silver ring and got ‘Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah’ engraved on it… as if I am now looking at its glitter in his hand.
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ بْنُ أَبِي إِيَاسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَمَّا أَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَكْتُبَ إِلَى الرُّومِ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُمْ لَنْ يَقْرَءُوا كِتَابَكَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ مَخْتُومًا. فَاتَّخَذَ خَاتَمًا مِنْ فِضَّةٍ، وَنَقْشُهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ. فَكَأَنَّمَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَى بَيَاضِهِ فِي يَدِهِ.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5875
NOTE
1. al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in his commentary of this hadith explained that the Prophet (ﷺ) adopted a ring to seal letters to foreign rulers. Al-Khattabi suggested that rings were not customary among the Arabs and that the Prophet initially wore gold before abandoning it. However, Ibn Hajar’s teacher challenged this view, noting that rings were known and used among the Arabs. — Fathul Baari, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
2. Ibn Hajar further discussed the disagreement over whether men without positions of authority may wear rings. While some scholars relied on a narration restricting ring-wearing to people of authority, others cited reports of Companions wearing rings. Ibn Hajar considered wearing a ring without an official purpose less preferable for men, but noted that ordinary silver rings for personal adornment are not necessarily prohibited. He also mentioned that Imam Malik considered the hadith of prohibition of rings for me a weak narration. — Fathul Baari, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
3. Finally, Ibn Hajar reconciled differing reports about when the Prophet adopted his ring, concluding that it was probably towards the end of the sixth or beginning of the seventh year after Hijrah, in preparation for sending letters to foreign rulers. — Fathul Baari, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
*O Allah, adorn us with the beauty of faith, make our clothing a means of covering and well-being, purify our hearts from arrogance and pride, and grant us humility and piety. Make Your blessings upon us a means of helping us obey You, and do not make them a cause of conceit or extravagance. Ãmeen*
🌙 JUMU’AH MUBARAK — A PRAYER FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE HEART
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem.
On this blessed Friday, as the call to prayer echoes and our hearts turn towards Almighty Allah, may we remember the beautiful days behind us, the loved ones whose voices still live in our memories, the prayers once whispered by our parents, and the countless blessings we sometimes forget to acknowledge.
Life is a journey of arrivals and departures, laughter and tears, trials and triumphs. Yet through every season, Allah’s mercy remains our greatest refuge.
The Holy Qur’an reminds us:
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
Alā bidhikrillāhi taṭmaʾinnul-qulūb.
“Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”
— Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:28)
Ya Allah, on this sacred Jumu’ah, forgive our shortcomings, accept our silent prayers, heal our hidden wounds and replace our anxieties with tranquillity.
Bless our parents, living and departed. Grant those who have returned to You the highest gardens of Jannatul Firdaus. Preserve our families, protect our children and grandchildren, strengthen our faith and bless our remaining years with good health, wisdom, dignity and peace.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي ٱلْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār.
“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201)
Ya Allah, let our tomorrows be kinder than our yesterdays. May the years ahead bring us closer to You, and may our final moments be filled with faith, forgiveness and Your infinite mercy.
May we never outlive our gratitude, lose our compassion or forget those who helped us along life’s journey.
Āmīn, Yā Rabbal-ʿĀlamīn.
🤲 Jumu’ah Mubarak. May Allah’s light illuminate our hearts, our homes and our beloved Nigeria.
JUMU’AH MUBARAK
On this blessed Friday, we remember cherished moments, departed loved ones and Allah’s endless mercy.
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
Alā bidhikrillāhi taṭmaʾinnul-qulūb.
“Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” — Qur’an 13:28.
Ya Allah, forgive our sins, bless our families, grant our departed Jannatul Firdaus, heal our hearts and guide our footsteps. May our remaining years overflow with faith, gratitude, good health, peace and divine blessings.
Āmīn, Yā Rabbal-ʿĀlamīn.
🤲 Jumu’ah Mubarak!
Amiida Fraser MFR
The National Patriots.
Member APC-PCC Strategic Communications Team.
