The Inscriptions on the Rings of the Fatimid Caliphs:Their Symbolism and Political-Religious Significance

Abstract

This study explores the inscriptions engraved on the rings of the Fatimid caliphs, examining their symbolic, political, and religious significance. These inscriptions, often characterized by their brevity and rhetorical precision, encapsulated key ideological and theological concepts. The ring, with its engraved inscription, functioned as a potent symbol of authority, adopted by rulers and political leaders since antiquity. The tradition was continued by Muslim caliphs, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who wore a ring inscribed with the words “Muḥammad Rasūl Allāh” (Muhammad is the Messenger of God). Fatimid caliphs adopted this practice, commissioning both official and personal rings bearing eloquent and meaningful phrases that reflected their faith, trust in God, and devotion to divine will. The study is divided into two main sections. The first provides a critical analysis of the inscriptions, tracing their heritage-based sources, thematic content, stylistic features, and the political, religious, and literary messages they conveyed. It also enumerates the inscriptions attributed to each Fatimid caliph. These inscriptions reflect the caliphs’ religious conviction, their sense of divine mission, and their role as protectors of the faith and the community. They serve as concentrated expressions of their personal and political identities. The second section compiles and documents the surviving inscriptions, organizing them chronologically according to the reigns of the respective caliphs. It includes detailed documentation, variant readings, and visual interpretations of the inscriptions.