NÜBÜVVET MÜHRÜ
SEAL OF THE PROPHETHOOD

Summary/Abstract: It is narrated in the Hadith literature that there was a big spot in between the two shoulder blades of the Prophet of Islam. This ‘spot1 was described by the narrator, namely the Companions, based on their own perceptions and levels of understanding. It has also been named as the ‘seal of the prophethood’ (khâ- tam al-Nubuwwah) in the relevant sources. The question of what this definition meant has led to various interpretations. As understood from the life story of Salman al-Farisi, it is well assumed that the People of the Book knew about this ‘spot’. We understand from the sources that in the course of time this ‘seal’ has been given miraculous meanings to serve as one of the evidences to prove the prophethood of Muhammad (puh). As part of this understanding of the ‘extra- ordinariness’, in connection to the narrations of‘sharh as-Sadr’ (opening the chest) this spot has been assumed to have been put on as a seal by the angel after the birth of the Prophet, not before the birth. However, when these nar¬rations are analysed, it can be seen that they cannot be taken as authentic enough.

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