Long before social media, humans were already writing bios. They were not called that, of course. They were engravings. Short sentences carved onto rings, stones and seals. Words chosen carefully, not for an audience, but for remembrance. A reminder worn on the hand, close to the pulse.
Imam Abu Hanifa had engraved on his ring: βSay what is good, or remain silent.β Imam Malik engraved: βAllah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.β Imam Al-Qurtubiβs ring read: βO Ali ibn Ahmad, fear Allah and you will be guided.β The Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid ibn Abdul Malik carried a sentence heavier than power itself: βO Walid, you will die.β Abu Al-Atahiya engraved: βWhat has been decreed will occur, whether the servant is content or displeased.β Tahir ibn Al-Husayn, the governor of Khorasan, engraved: βLowering oneself before the truth is honor.β
These were not decorations. They were boundaries. Anchors.
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