Talk:Seal of Muhammad

it took some effort (see talkpage history for blanked "notes to self") but I think I have now properly researched this. To be distinguished are

• the "relic" kept in Topkapi, by tradition this is the replica of the original signet ring made by Uthman
• the seal impressions on copies of "letters of Muhammad". Most of these are inked Ottoman copies (if dated to the 16th century possibly informed by Uthman's ring), but there are one or two documents which are candidates for being originals and it would be worthwhile to research if a seal impression can be seen on those, but these documents are in a very eroded state and nothing can be made out on photographs
• the "jihadi flag" seal design is based on such an inked "seal", derived from a facsimile in a 1983 edition published in Karachi. These flags were first seen in early 2006, and the seal design has had a great career in urban "lifestyle jihadists" since, to the point of actual signet rings offered in online shops (this is amusing as well as disturbing, as clearly any person wearing such a ring is implicittly claiming to assume the authority of Muhammad and as such the position of caliph)

--dab (𒁳) 13:41, 14 July 2014 (UTC)