The seal affixed on important letters by Prophet (SAW) was in the custody of?

The correct answer is Hazrat Khuzaifa (RA).

In the early years of the Islamic state in Madinah, particularly after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in 6 AH, the Prophet (SAW) decided to expand the message of Islam by writing letters to the great kings and emperors of the world. It was during this time that he was informed by his companions that foreign rulers, such as the Byzantine Emperor and the Persian Chosroes, did not accept or read letters unless they bore an official seal. To comply with this international diplomatic protocol, a ring was made for the Prophet (SAW), which served as his official state seal. The responsibility of safeguarding this sacred and politically significant item was entrusted to Hazrat Khuzaifa ibn al-Yaman (RA).

The Design and Purpose of the Seal

The seal was crafted from silver and was worn as a ring. It featured a unique design consisting of three lines: the top line read "Allah," the middle line "Rasul," and the bottom line "Muhammad." This was done out of deep respect, ensuring the name of Allah was placed at the highest point. The seal was used to verify the authenticity of correspondence sent to leaders such as Heraclius of the Byzantine Empire, the Negus of Abyssinia, and the Muqawqis of Egypt. Because this seal represented the authority of the Prophet (SAW) and the nascent Islamic state, its custody was a matter of extreme security and trust.

Why Hazrat Khuzaifa (RA) was Chosen

Hazrat Khuzaifa (RA) was known by the distinct title of "Sahib-us-Sirr" or the "Keeper of the Secret." The Prophet (SAW) had entrusted him with information that was not shared with anyone else, including the names of the hypocrites (Munafiqeen) within the community. His selection as the custodian of the seal was a natural extension of this trust. He was a man of exceptional discretion, intelligence, and loyalty. In the context of 7th-century diplomacy, the seal was equivalent to a state signature; if it fell into the wrong hands, it could be used to forge decrees or misguide the Ummah. Hazrat Khuzaifa’s (RA) role ensured that the official "signature" of the Prophet (SAW) remained protected at all times.

The Historical Path of the Seal

The custody of the seal did not end with the passing of the Prophet (SAW). Historically, the ring passed into the hands of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. It was held by Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), then Hazrat Umar (RA), and finally Hazrat Uthman (RA). It remained a symbol of administrative continuity and central authority for the Islamic Caliphate. History records that the original ring remained with Hazrat Uthman (RA) for six years of his Caliphate until it accidentally fell into the Well of Aris near the Quba Mosque. Despite an exhaustive three-day search of the well, the original seal was never recovered—an event that many historians mark as a symbolic turning point in the challenges faced during that era.

Legacy in Islamic Governance

The custodianship of Hazrat Khuzaifa (RA) highlights the organized nature of the Prophet’s (SAW) administration. It shows that even in the earliest days of Islam, there was a clear system of protocol, documentation, and security. By studying the role of Hazrat Khuzaifa (RA), we gain insight into how the Prophet (SAW) utilized the specific talents of his companions—assigning the roles of military leadership to some, judicial duties to others, and the high-trust role of state secrecy and seal-keeping to Hazrat Khuzaifa (RA).