The seal of Prophethood

Q: I have a brother who uses the above illustrated picture on top of which the author of the drawing wrote: This is an illustration of the shape of the seal of Prophethood - referring to the above picture - which was between the shoulders of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Among its attributes as reported by Al-Tirmidhy is that whoever makes ablution and looks at it at the time of Fajr (Dawn) Prayer, Allah (Exalted be He) will protect him until the time of Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer; and whoever looks at it at the time of Maghrib, Allah (Exalted be He) will protect him until the Fajr Prayer. Likewise, anyone who looks at it at the beginning of the month, Allah (Exalted be He) will protect him until its end, and whoever looks at it at the beginning of the year, Allah (Exalted be He) will protect him until its end from all kinds of calamities and afflictions. Similarly, whoever looks at it when traveling, his journey will be blessed and secure, and if he dies this year, he will die as a believer. Then he said: I write this down and I hope from Allah that whoever looks at it will be endowed with sincere love and Iman (faith). (Part No. 4; Page No. 385) Whoever looks at it even once, will be protected from whatever he hates until he dies. Is this a lawful act, Mustahab (desirable) for Muslims? Or is it no more than a Bid‘ah (innovation in religion) which my brother must abandon?

A: Drawing the picture you mentioned in the question and the writing on top of it are unlawful. Al-Zurqany reported in “Sharah Al-Mawahib Al-Laduniyah” on the authority of Al-Hakim Al-Tirmidhy concerning the seal of Prophethood that it is like a pigeon’s egg written inside it, “Allah is One and has no partner”, and on its surface “You are triumphant wherever you go”. It was also reported by Abu Nu‘aym who said that this is not an authentic Hadith, and it was also said in Al-Mawrid that it is a Batil (false) Hadith. Therefore, it is clear that making or using the said picture is not permissible, and whoever draws it should refrain from doing so and repent to Allah (Exalted be He) for what he did. The true description of the seal of Prophethood between the shoulders of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was authentically narrated in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah under the Chapter on the seal of Prophethood in which he said: I saw the seal on the back of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), as if it were a pigeon’s egg. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.