What was the Seal of the Prophet?

In Imam at-Tirmidhi’s work "Ash-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyya," it is described that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a seal of prophethood between his shoulder blades. The Seal of Prophethood was a piece of flesh, about the size of a pigeon’s egg, reddish in color, and protruding from the body. This seal was a sign of his true prophethood.

All scholars unanimously agree on this. However, there is a scholarly debate about whether the Seal of Prophethood was present at the Prophet’s birth or appeared later. The most accepted view is that the seal was placed between his shoulders when his chest was opened, his heart was cleansed of clotted blood, washed with Zamzam water, and then returned. Although it is said to be between the shoulders, leading scholars specify that it was closer to the left shoulder, near the heart.

This seal was mentioned in previous scriptures as one of the signs of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Knowledgeable people among the People of the Book were aware of this sign. Some of them, upon seeing this mark, believed and became Muslim. There are several hadiths about the Seal of Prophethood. Here are a few:

1. Sa’ib bin Yazid (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "My maternal uncle took me to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah! My nephew is ill.' The Prophet then stroked my head and prayed for me. He then performed ablution, and I drank some of the leftover water. I stood behind him and saw the seal between his shoulders. It was about the size of a partridge’s egg."

   Commentaries on this hadith mention that Sa’ib bin Yazid (may Allah be pleased with him) lived for 94 years thanks to the Prophet’s prayer and passed away without his back ever becoming bent.

2. In a narration from Jabir bin Samura (may Allah be pleased with him): "I saw the seal between the Prophet’s shoulders. It was red and about the size of a pigeon’s egg."

3. In a narration from Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him): When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) migrated to Madinah, Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him) brought some fresh dates and placed them before him. The Prophet asked, "O Salman, what is this?" Salman replied, "It is charity for you and your companions." The Prophet said, "Take it away, for we do not eat charity." The next day, Salman brought dates again and placed them before the Prophet. When asked, he replied, "It is a gift for you." The Prophet then told his companions to eat from it. Salman then saw the seal on the Prophet’s back and believed in him.

This sign had been described to Salman by his monk teacher, who told him that a prophet would appear from Hijaz, would accept gifts but not charity, and would have a seal between his shoulders. When Salman saw the Prophet refuse charity, he recognized the first sign. When he saw the Prophet eat from the gift, he recognized the second. Finally, upon seeing the seal between his shoulders, he believed. In conclusion, this seal was a clear proof of the Prophet’s true prophethood. It was mentioned in previous scriptures and was located near the left shoulder, close to the heart. Its size was like a pigeon’s egg, and according to most scholars, its color matched his skin. Most scholars say the seal appeared after the Prophet’s chest was opened, his heart cleansed of the portion for Satan, and filled with divine wisdom. Allah knows best!

Medet QURSHAKOV,

"Iman" magazine, No. 9, 2023