The Seal of the Prophet

Here is a small object with a very big story.

After Prophet Muhammad founded an Islamic state in Medina, he sent letters to the leaders of nearby countries. In these letters, he invited them to accept Islam.

The letters were closed with a special seal. On the seal were the words “Allah, Muhammad, Rasul.” Rasul means “messenger.”

This seal was also used by other caliphs. A caliph was a leader of the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad. Later, Caliph Osman dropped the seal into a well. People tried to find it, but they could not. So a new seal was made.

The collection also includes swords linked to the first caliphs after Prophet Muhammad. They were Abu Bakr, Omar, Osman, and Ali. They were chosen by Muslim women and men.

The handles and cases of these swords were later decorated with great care by Ottoman jewelers. Their fine work shows deep respect for these important early leaders of Islam.