Arab social media exploded yesterday after the IDF attack in Damascus. One of the most curious threads was about the rings that Shiite Iranians and their proxies have taken up wearing.
Here is a video that caused much happiness among the Sunnis who hate Iran and Shiites in general:
"Everyone who received this ring has been eliminated. We don't know if Bashar Al Assad received it or not.
I believe not because he is still alive."
Some background on the fashion of wearing these rings:
The wearing of rings holds a special significance in Shi’ite Islamic culture and history.
On the one hand, it’s a religious issue with long-standing customs. On the other hand, it is a socio-cultural custom associated with Arab and Persian customs and heritage.
The tradition can be traced back to Hadith literature, where Muhammad is mentioned several times wearing a ring on his hand. Some of these accounts provide a relatively thorough description, stating that it was a silver ring with an ‘Aqik stone placed in it and the inscription محمد رسول الله (Muhammad Rasul Allah – Muhammad the Messenger of God) carved on it.
According to these traditions, Muhammad used this ring to seal numerous letters and documents.
These many traditions gained widespread acceptance within the Muslim population, and it is now acknowledged that Muhammad wore at least one ring.
Other traditions mention the wearing of rings by various Imams and friends of the Prophet Muhammad. Despite the numerous traditions, wearing a ring is not a religious requirement but rather a custom that has developed over time and is viewed as having positive virtues.
These traditions and references can be found in both Shi’ite and Sunni traditions.
Due to the disparity and rivalry between the factions (and sometimes even across schools of thought within the same faction), slightly different traditions have arisen and have developed over time to serve the religious perceptions of each faction.