Abstract

The seal of Prophethood (Khātamu al-nubuwwa) Sīra, Shamā’il, Khasā’is, Dalā’il, genres have been used and utilized within Islamic historical sources as testaments to the prophethood of Muḥammad. The Seal of the Prophethood as a sign has also been mentioned within the religious sources of the People of the Book. According to some narrative traditions, a number of the People of the Book have sought out this sign and consequently embraced Islam. There are Muslim traditions that mention the Seal of the Prophet and also mention that it was seen by some of the Companions. These traditions can be found in Islamic historical sources, such as the works of Ibn Sa‘d, Ibn Isḥāq, and Ṭabarī, and within the topics that cover the birth of the Prophet, shaqq al-ṣadr (the splitting of the Prophet’s chest), bad’ al-waḥy (the beginning of revelation), Isrā’ wa Mi‘rāj (the Nocturnal Journey and Ascendence), and in the ḥadīth of Asmā b. Umays in the context of Prophet’s death. There have been those who have seen it as a hairy spot with a mole as well as those who attributed it miraculous properties. Even though there have been varying interpretations on the nature of the phenomenon of this Seal within the Muslim intellectual traditon, it ought to be taken as a distinctive feature of our Prophet and a distinctive physical sign of his prophethood; and the expectations of the People of the Book and the profusion of tradtions within various sources about the Seal of Prophethood have led us to conclude as such.