Khatam: The Prophet's Seal

In the late sixth or the early seventh year A. H, the Prophet's Seal was made for sealing his letters to the governors of neighboring lands. This seal was round and a kind of ring seals on which the phrase " محمد رسول الله " had been carved in three lines. Its material and gem as it has been narrated was of Abyssinian stone and different metals such as Copper, Iron and Silver. After the decease of the Prophet, this seal was obtained by Abu Bakr, Omar and Osman to validate their letters and writings. In about the year 30 A. H, the Prophet's Seal fell in to the Aris Well (nearby Medina). This seal was no longer found but a similar one was made by Osman. So some of the Caliph's letters were sealed by the real Khatam in addition to those sealed letters the Prophet. The features of this seal in the old Islamic texts indicate the first measures and necessities for a governmental system in the early years of Islam. The use of writing instead of image, round form, three line composition and religious slogans have been used in Islamic seals since this point in time and was continued during the historical era of Islam.