Anas bin Maalik Radiyallahu 'Anhu says that the ring of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was ,made of silver and the gem stone was from Abyssinia.

Commentary.

According to the majority of the 'ulama it is permissible to wear a ring made of silver. The Hanafis say it is not permissible to wear a ring made of bronze. iron, steel etc. In the early stages, Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not have a ring made, until it was known that the kings of Persia and other countries did not accept or take into consideration letters that had no seal (stamp) on them. He had begun sending letters to the kings inviting them to Islaam. A seal (stamp) was made in the sixth or seventh year hijri. The 'ulama give different opinions on the wearing of the ring. Some 'ulama say that it is makruh for any person besides the king and judge to wear a ring. The research of the Hanafi 'ulama (may Allah Increase their number and accept their efforts) in this matter, according to the saying of 'Shaami' is, that it is sunnah for the kings, judges, trustees and those who need a seal. Besides them it is permissible for others, but better not to use it. The reason is evident that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam only made one when it became necessary, before he began sending letters to the kings. This will be mentioned in hadith number six in this chapter. Abu Daawud and others have stated that besides the kings, others are prohibited from wearing a ring. Since it has been proven that many Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum wore a ring in the presence of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, and in other ahaadith that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had permitted it, this prohibition will be taken as that which is contrary to a more meritorious and desired act.

Hazrat Ibn Umar radiallahu anhu says that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam had a ring made of silver. He used it as a seal (Stamp) on letters etc., but did not wear it.

Commentary.

Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam wore a ring as has been stated in the ahaadith. The ulama give a few explanations to this hadith. Some have explained that it meant that he did not wear it continuously. Some are of the opinion that Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam possessed two rings, one had the seal and was used to put a stamp on letters etc. and he did not wear this ring. The other ring was used for wearing. In the same manner, the 'ulama have given many other explanations. According to this humble servant the most accepted explanation is that he did not wear it always.

It is reported in the hadith that Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam was once performing salaah, he was wearing a ring on the right hand. While performing salaah, his eyes fell on the ring. After that he stopped wearing the ring.

In the ahaadith a similar incident is mentioned regarding a printed cloth. While in salaah his sight fell on it. Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam removed this cloth and wore another one.

Since the ring was of importance it could not be discarded completely. Therefore he did not generally wear it. This is the nearest (most correct). It will be stated in the sixth hadith of the next chapter that the ring was mostly kept by Sayyidina Mu'ayqeeb radiallahu anhu.

Hazrat Anas radiallahu anhu reports that Rasululah sallallahu alayhe wasallam had a ring made of silver and its (inlaid) gem was also of sliver.

Commentary.

This hadith seems to contradict the one where it is mentioned that an Abyssinian stone was inlaid.

Those who are of the opinion that Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam had two rings, say that this hadith in context is similar to it being two rings. Bayhaqi and others also hold the same view, and according to him there no is complication.

Those who are of the opinion that Sayyidina Rasulluahsallallahu alayhe wasallam had one ring, give the explanation, that by Habshi (Abyssinian) it is meant Habshi colour or Habshi style, or the maker of it was a Habshi.

According to this humble servant the explanation is that there was more than one ring seems correct, because from the hadith it has been proved that at different times Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam had different rings. Sayyidina Rasulluahsallallahu alayhe wasallam had a ring made for himself. His servant gave him one as a present as is evident from different narrations stated in the book of 'Jam'ul Wasaa-il'.

Anas radiallahu anhu relates: "When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam intended to write letters to the kings of 'Ajam (non arabs), inviting them to Islam, the people said that they did not accept letters without a seal (stamp) on them. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam therefore had a ring made, the whiteness of which is still before my eyes."

Commentary.

The last sentence shows that he remembers this incident well. By whiteness the silver in the ring is referred to.

It is related from Hazrat Anas radiallahu anhu that the inscription engraved on the ring of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhe wasallam was 'Muhammad Rasullulah, of in the first line was engraved, in the second line 'Rasul, and in the third line 'Allah'.

Commentary.

Some 'ulama have written that 'Muhammad Rasulullah' was engraved in such a manner, that the word 'Allah' was engraved on the top. This stamp was round, and was read from the bottom. The muhaqqiqeen (research scholars) write that this is not proven from any hadith, but from the apparent words we find it was written thus: Muhammad... Rasul... Allah.

Anas Radiyallahu relates that: Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam made an intention to write letters to Kisra, Qaysur (Ceasar) and Najashi, inviting them to accept Islaam. The people said: '(O Rasulullah) those people do not accept letters without a stamp on it'. For this reason Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had a stamp made. The ring (loop) of which was silver, and had 'Muhammad Rasulullah' engraved on it".

Commentary.

Kisra is the title of the Persian kings. Qaysar (Ceasar) that of the Romans and Najaashi that of the Abyssinian kings. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam sent a letter to Kisra with Sayyidina Abdullah bin Hudhaa-fah Radiyallahu 'Anhu. Kisra tore the letter of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu- 'Alayhi Wasallam to pieces. When Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam heard this he said. 'May Allah tear his kingdom to pieces', and so did it happen. The letter to the king of the Romans was sent with Sayyidina Dihyah bin Khalifah Kalbi Radiyallahu 'Anhu. Although accepting the prophethood of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, he did not accept Islaam. The letter to Najaashi, the king of Abyssinia was sent with Sayyidina 'Amr bin Urnayyah Damri Radiyallahu 'Anhu, as is mentioned in 'Mawaahib Ladunniyyah' and other kitaabs. This is not the Najaashi that has been mentioned previously, and for whom Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had performed janaazah salaah. This was another Najaashi. It is not known whether he had accepted Islaam or not, as Mulla'Ali Qaari has written in his kitaab. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam wrote many letters which have been discussed in detail in the books of hadith and history. Special books have been written on this subject. In the above hadith, three letters are mentioned, of which a brief account seems appropriate here. One letter was written to Kisra, which is the title of the kings of Persia. The name of this Kisra was Aparvez, who was the grandson of Naw-sherwaan. The contents of the letter to him were as follows: In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful From Muhammad, Allah's Messenger, to the great ruler of Persia. Peace be upon the one who follows (accepts) righteousness and reposes a faith (imaan) in Allah and His Rasul, and bears witness that none is to be worshipped besides Allah, Who has no partners and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I call you towards Allah, for I am Allah's true Messenger, who has been sent to the whole world to warn those whose hearts are alive (because they have a little understanding-a man without sense is like a dead person), and complete the proof of Allah (Allah's existence) to non-believers (so that they may not say on the day of qiyaamah that we did not know). Accept Islaam so that you may live in peace. If you reject then the sin of all the fire-worshippers will be upon you, for they will be led astray by following you.

Sayyidina 'Abdullah bin Hudhaa-fah Radiyallahu 'Anhu was given this letter and instructed to give it to a governor of Kisra who was living in Bahrain. The letter was to be sent to Kisra through him. It was then delivered to Kisra with the governor's assistance. Kisra had this letter read out to him where after he tore it to pieces and threw it away. When Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam was informed of this he cursed Kisra. Later the son of Kisra, Sherwiyyah, killed him in a very brutal manner. This incident is written in the books of history. The second letter mentioned in the hadith was sent to Qaysar (Ceasar), the king of the Romans. According to historians his name was Hiraql. This letter was sent with Sayyidina Dihyah Kalbi Radiyallahu 'Anhu. Although the Qaysar did not accept Islaam, he respected the letter and kept it safely. When Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam heard of this he said: 'Kisra tore his country to pieces, and Qaysar guarded his'. The contents of the letter were as follows: In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful From Muhammad, Allah's servant and Messenger, to Hiraql, the great (ruler) of the Romans. Peace be upon the one that follows righteousness. After praise and salutations, I call you towards the Kalimah (Laa liaha illlallah Muhamamdur Rasulullah) of Islaam. Accept Islaam that you may live in peace. Allah will grant you a double reward, (because the Ahlul-Kitaab will receive double reward if they accept Islaam, as is mentioned in the Qur-aan at the end of Surah Hadid), and if you reject then the sin of the tillers of the land (farmers) who are under you, will be upon you. Oh People of the Book, come towards the kalimah, that is the same between us and you, and that is tauheed (the oneness of Allah), that we shall not worship anyone besides Allah and shall not make any partner unto Him, and that we shall not make anyone from among ourselves a god besides Allah (like the monks and priests are made gods) and if they reject (Oh you Muslims) then say to them that bear witness that we are Muslims (we openly proclaim our religion and now you are responsible for yourselves). -Bukhaari, I'laamus Saa-i-leen. The portion from, 'Oh People of the Book, come towards ... to the end, is an aayah of the Qur-aan in Surah Aali 'Imraan.

When Sayyidina Dihyah Kalbi Radiyallahu 'Anhu delivered this letter and it was read before the Qaysar, his nephew who was present, became very angry, and began saying, give this letter to me. The uncle (Qaysar) asked: 'What will you do with it?" He replied: 'This letter is not worth reading, your name was not mentioned first in the letter, but that of his (Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam). Instead of emperor he addresses you as a ruler etc. etc'. The Qaysar replied: 'You are stupid. Do you want me to throw away such a letter from a person to whom the Great Jibra-eel ('Alayhis Salaam) comes. If he is a prophet then he should write like this'. Sayyidina Dibyah Radiyallahu 'Anhu was accommodated with great honour and respect. The Qaysar was on a tour there at that time. When he was returning he called all the ministers of his kingdom, and said to them that, "I wish to bring your, attention to such a thing that is full of goodness and prosperity. And is a means to keep your country for long. Verily this person (i.e. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) is a prophet, follow him and pay allegiance to him". He delivered this long speech in a room where all the doors and windows were closed and locked. The ministers and others became so rash with anger that they caused a commotion and began jumping about violently, trying to run out. Since all the doors and windows were locked, this situation carried on for a while. The Qaysar calmed all those present and delivered another speech, and said: 'A person who has claimed prophethood has appeared. I was 'testing your reaction that how firm are you on you religion, and now I have gauged it'. As was normal a

Anas bin Maalik Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: "When Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam went to the toilet, he removed his ring".

Commentary.

As the name of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu was engraved on it, he never went to the toilet with it. For this reason the 'ulama have written that it is makruh to go to the toilet with anything that has a venerable name or sentence on it.

Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu says. "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam kept his ring in his mubaarak hands (possession). Then it was kept by Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu, then by 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu. Thereafter by 'Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu. In his ('Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu's) time it fell in the Well of 'Arees. The inscription on this ring was 'Muhammadur Rasulullah"'.

Commentary.

Bir 'Arees is a well near Masjid Quba. During the khilaafah of Sayyidina Uthrnaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu the ring remained with him for six years, then accidently it fell into the well. Sayyidina 'Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu ordered a thorough search of the well. For two days water of the well was pulled out, but it could not be found. The 'ulama write that from the time the ring fell in the well, mischief and revolt began, and increased in the later years of Sayyidina 'Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu's khilaafah. In this hadith Sayyidina Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu says, Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam kept the ring in his mubaarak hands, and in another hadith in this chapter he denies that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam wore a ring. This has already been explained. A special answer to the apparent contradictions in this hadith is that the meaning of Sayyidina Rasuluilah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam kept the ring in his hands is, he kept it in his possession. It does not necessarily mean that he wore it. It is stated in the following chapter that the ring was kept by Sayyidina Mu'ayqeeb Radiyallahu 'Anhu.