THE NOBLE
FEATURES OF RASULULLAH
(SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WASALLAM)
Shamaa-il Tirmidhi Contents
Chapter Contents
Hazrat Sheikh-ul Hadeeth Maulana Muhammad Zakaria (R.A.) writes in Khasa'Ile
Nabawi -- in explanation of SHAMA'ILE TIRMIDHI:-
Imaam Tirmidhi has quoted in this chapter those ahaadith that have been
narrated on the noble features of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam). It is impossible to accurately describe actual beauty and elegance
of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).
To draw a pen-picture of his appearance is beyond one's capability,
but the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) have endeavoured, according to their
capabilities, to preserve what little they could, of which some is written
here. Qurtubi says: "The full beauty and elegance of Sayyidina Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) has not been made manifest, otherwise it would
not have been possible for man to look at him". The Sahabah (Radiallahu
anhum), have done the ummah an immense favour by conveying to them the
perfect intrinsic knowledge, as well as the perfect conspicuous elegance
and beauty of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). When
an unfulfilled lover is deprived of meeting the beloved then he stands
in front of the beloved's house remembering the features of his beloved,
in an attempt to gain some solace. It is from habits and features that
the heart is appeased.
Imaam Tirmidhi has collected from these about 400 ahaadith and divided
them into fifty five chapters. In the first chapter fourteen ahaadith are
quoted.
(1) HADEETH NO. 1.
Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) reports: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)
was neither tall nor was he short (like a dwarf--He was of medium stature).
In complexion, he was he was neither very white like lime, nor very dark,
nor brown which results in darkness (he was illuminant, more luminous than
even the full-moon on the 14th night).
The hair of Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was neither very
straight nor very curly (but slightly wavy). When he attained the age of
forty, Allah the Almighty granted him nubuwwah (prophethood).He lived for
ten years in Makkah (commentary) and in Madina for ten years. At that time
there were not more than twenty white hair on his mubarak (blessed) head
and beard." (This will be described in detail in the chapter on white
hair of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).
COMMENTARY.
Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was of a medium stature,
but slightly taller. This has been reported in a narration from Sayyidina
Hind bin Abi Haalah (Radiallahu Anhu) and others. An objection may arise
concerning these two hadeeth, that it is stated in one hadeeth that when
Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) used to stand up in
a group, he appeared to be the tallest among them. This was not due to
his hight, but was a result of a Mu'jizah (Miracle). In the manner that
no one had reached a higher status than Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) in `Kamalaate Ma'nawiyyah', (super intellectual status)
likewise in the `Surah Zaahiri' (outward appearance) no one could excel
him.
It is stated in the hadeeth under discussion that Sayyidina Rasullullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) lived for ten years in Makkah Mukarramah after
nubuwwah (prophethood). For this reason it is stated that he attained the
age of sixty years. This is contrary to what has been reported in the other
ahaadith, where it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) lived there for thirteen years and attained the age of sixty
three years. In some ahaadith it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) attained the age of sixty five years. At the end of this
kitaab all three ahaadith will be quoted. Imaam Bukhari (R.A.) says:
"Most narrations show that Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)
lived for sixty three years." The ulama (scholars) have summed up these
ahaadith in two ways. First, that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) received nubuwwah (prophethood) at the age of forty and risaalah
three years thereafter, and after that he lived for ten years in Makkah
Mukaraamah. According to this, the three years between nubuwwah and risaalah
have been in the hadeeth under discussion.
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(2) HADEETH NO. 2.
Anas bin Malik (Radiallhu Anhu) reports, "Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) was of a medium stature, he was neither very tall nor very short.
He was very handsome, of medium built and his hair was neither very curly
nor very straight (but was slightly wavy). He had a wheat-coloured complexion.
When he walked, he leaned forward slightly".
COMMENTARY.
In this hadeeth Sayyidina Anas (Radiallhu Anhu) states that the complexion
of Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was wheat coloured. In the
previous hadith, also narrated by Sayyidina Anas (Radiallahu Anhu), he
states that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) did not
have a wheat-coloured complexion. This has been mentioned in the translation
of the hadeeth. Actually, what is derived from the two hadeeth is
that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was not of such
a dark complexion that decrease the lightness and beauty of a person, but
had a radiant and light colour, which slightly wheat-coloured.
In this hadeeth the word `Yata-kaf-fa-oo' is used regarding the walking
of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The scholars interpret
this word in several ways. Some say it means to walk at a fast pace.
Some are of the opinion that it means to lean a bit forward while walking.
Some say it means to lift the leg with force. All three explanations
are correct because the walk of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) fulfilled all three descriptions and the word also conveys these
three meanings. Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)
walked quickly and not like the Romeos of this age who walk like women.
It was also the noble habit of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) to walk with slight forward inclination of the head and shoulders.
He did not walk with chest pushed out with pride. He lifted his legs
as men do while walking and did not drag his legs on the ground.
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(3) HADEETH NO. 3.
Baraa bin Aazib (Radiallahu anhu) relates that: "Rasullullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) was a man of a medium build, (slightly tall, as explained
before); he had broad shoulders (from which we may gather that he had a
wide chest); he had dense hair which reached his ear-lobes; he wore a red
striped lungi (a cloth worn around the legs) and shawl. I never saw
anybody or anything more handsome than him".
COMMENTARY.
In this hadeeth the word `Rajulun Marbu'un' is used, which if the letter
`Jeem' has a dammah (pesh), means a man. This could be correct.
This type of word is used in the Arabic language for connecting words,
but because no special quality or attribute is derived, some Muhadditheen
(scholars of hadeeth) are of the opinion that if the letter `Jeem' has
a fatah (zabar) on it, it means something that is between straight and
bent. It may also be possible that in this case it refers to the
description of the hair of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam),
and as described before, his mubarak (blessed) hair had a slight curl in
it. From this hadeeth, some scholars are of the opinion that it is
permissible for men to wear red coloured clothing. According to the
Hanafis there is a detailed explanation on this subject. Before selecting
red clothing, the scholars should be consulted regarding its permissibility.
The scholars have written that in this hadeeth the Sahabi did not see
`anything' more handsome and beautiful than Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam). This is said because besides human beings, the
moon, sun, etc. are also included.
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(4) HADEETH NO. 4.
Baraa bin Aazib (Radiallahu Anhu) reports: "I never seen someone with
long hair and red clothing more handsome than Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam). His hair reached his shoulders. The portion between
his two shoulders was wide. He was neither very tall nor very short".
COMMENTARY.
The description of the hair of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) in this hadeeth is different one mentioned before. There
it is stated that his hair reached his ear-lobes. In reality there
is no difference between the two hadeeth, as the hair does not remain the
same length but grows. Sometimes the hair was shortened, sometimes
longer hair was kept.
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(5) HADEETH NO. 5.
It is reported from Ali (Radiallahu Anhu): "Rasullullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam was neither very tall nor very short. The soles of
both feet were very fleshed. (This quality is praiseworthy in a man
as it denotes strength and courage but is not praiseworthy for a woman).
He had a large head. The joints of the bones was also large.
The was a thin line of hair from the chest to the navel. When Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) walked, it appeared that he was descending
from a high place". Ali (Radiallahu Anhu) says: "I did not see anyone
like him neither before him, nor after him".
COMMENTARY.
The use of a sentence like: "I have not seen anyone like him", is primarily
for emphasis. By describing Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) in this manner, there is however no exaggeration because the
complete beauty of appearance of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) cannot be fully described. Munaawi wrote that every person
is required to believe that with whatever physical qualities and attributes
of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) is described, no other
person can compare with it. This is not merely a belief. Books
on Seerah (History of the Prophet peace be upon him) and ahaadeeth are
replete with descriptions of his beautiful qualities. Therein it
is stated that Allah Ta'aala bestowed fully on the Prophet (peace be upon
him) all the inner kamaalat (perfection) and Zaahiri (apparent) beauty.
Two verses (couplets) are narrated from Sayyiditina Aa'ishah (Radiallahu
Anha), the meaning of which is: "that if the friends of Zulaikha could
see the blessed face of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), they would
have cut their hearts instead of their hands". How true! If you wish
to read more about the love of the Sahabah (Radiallahu Anhum---male and
female---for Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) read Chapter
Eight of my book `Stories of the Sahabah' (Radiallahu Anhum).
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(6) HADITH NO: 6.
It is related from Ebrahim bin Muhammad (Radiallahu anhu) who is from
the sons (grand sons of Ali radiallahu anhu, that whenever Ali radiallahu
anhu described the nobel features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam),
he used to say: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was neither very
tall nor short, but of a medium stature among people. His hair was
neither very curly nor very straight, but had a slight wave in it.
He did not have a big body nor a round face, but his mubaarak face was
slightly round (meaning he did not have a fully round face nor a fully
elongated face, bur in between the two). The complexion of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was white with redness in it. The mubaarak
eyes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were extremely black.
His eyelashes were long. The joints of the body (e.g. elbows and
knees etc.) were large, likewise the portion between the two shoulders
was broad and fully fleshed. There was no hair (more than normal)
on his body. (Some people have profuse hair on their body. Sayyidina
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) did not have hair on the parts
of his body, besides places like the arms and legs etc.) He had a
thin line of hair running from the chest to the navel. The hands
and feet of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were fully fleshed.
When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigour, as if he were descending
to a low-lying place. When he addressed a person he turned his whole
body towards that person. (He did not only turn his face towards the person
he addressed, as this is considered impolite, and sometimes, it even denotes
pride. Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) faced the
person he spoke to, with his chest and body. Some scholars have translated
this as, when Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) addressed
someone, he completely turned his face towards that person, and did not
give a side glance. This is not a suitable translation). The
seal of Prophethood was situated between his shoulders. He was a
last of all prophets. He was the most generous and the most truthful.
He was the most kind-hearted and came from a most noble family. (It
means his character, family back-ground and everything else was of the
best). Any person who saw him suddenly would become awe-inspired.
Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had such a great personality
and dignity, that the person who saw him for the first time, because of
his awe-inspiring personality, would be overcome with a feeling of profound
respect. Firstly, there is a ro`b (awe) for physical beauty, with
this when other Kamaalat are added what more could then be said of the
ro'b (awe). Besides, the special attributes and qualities granted
to Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) ro'b (awe) is also
one of the special qualities granted to him). Anyone who came in
close contact with him, and knew his excellent character was smitten with
the love of his excellent attributes. Anyone who described his noble
features can only say: "I have not seen anyone like Rasulullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) neither before nor after him."
(7) HADITH NO. 7
Hasan bin Ali (Radiallahu anhu) reported: "I inquired from my maternal
uncle (Sayyiditina Fatimah Radiallahu anha's step brother) Hind bin Abi
Haalah (Radiallahu anhu) about the noble features of the Rasulullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam). He had often described the noble features of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) in detail. I felt that I should hear from
him personally, some of the noble features of Raulullah (Sallallahu alalihe
wasallam), so that I could make his discription a proof and testimony for
myself and also memorise them, and, if possible, try to emulate and adopt
them. (The age of Sayyidna Hasan (Radiallahu anhu) at the time of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)'s death was seven years. In view of his age
he did not have the opportunity to realise fully the features of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The uncle descirbed the noble features by
saying: "He had great qualities and attributes in him, others also held
him in high estemm. His mubarak face shone like the full moon. He was slightly
taller than a man of middle height, but shorter than a tall person. His
mubarak head was moderately large. His mubarak hair was slightly twisted.
If his hair became parted naturally in the middle he left it so, otherwise
he did not habitually make an effort to part his hair in the middle. (This
is a more respected transaltion).
A question may arise that Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)
habitually parted his hair as stated in Ahadith. The Ulama say that this
was in the early periods where Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)
did not make an effort to do so. According to this humble servant, the
answer to this is bit difficult, because it was the principal of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) to oppose the ways of the non- beleivers,
and agree to the ways of Ahlul Kitab, he did not part his hair in the middle.
For this reason, according to some Ulama, the bets translation will be
that he only parted his hair in the middle if it could be easily done,
and when this could not be done easily, and a comb etc. was needed to do
it, then he did not part his hair in the middle. Occasionally he used to
part his hair in the middle with a comb etc. When the hair of Rasulullah
(Sallallalhu alaihe wasallallam) was abundant, it used to pass over his
ear- lobes). Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a very luminous
complexion (colour), and a wide forehead. He had dense and fine hair on
his eye brows. Both eye brows were seperate and did not meet each other
in the middle. There was a vein between them that used to expand when he
became angry. His nose was prominemt and had a nur and lustre on it. When
one first looked at him, it seemed as if he had a large nose, but looking
at it carefully showed that the lustre and beauty made it look large, otherwise
in itself the nose was not large."
His beard was full and dense. The pupil of his eye was black. His cheeks
were full and full of flesh. The mouth of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) was moderately wide. (He did not have a small mouth). His teeth
were thin and bright. The front teeth had a slight space between them.
There was a thin line of hair from the chest to the navel. His neck was
beautiful and thin, like the neck of a statue shaved clean, the colour
of which was clear, shining and beautiful like silver. All the parts of
his body were of moderate size, and fully fleshed. His body was proportionately
jointed. His chest and stomach were in line, but his chest was broad and
wide. The space between his shoulders was wide. The bones of his joints
were strong and large (denoting strength). When he removed his clothing,
his body looked bright and had a lustre (or rather those parts of the body
that were not covered by his clothing were also bright and shining, compared
with those parts of the body that were covered by his clothing. According
to this humble servant the latter translation is more appropriate). Between
the chest and navel there was a thin line of hair. Besides this line neither
the chest nor the stomach had other hair on it. Both sides, the shoulders
and the upper portion of the chest had hair. His forearm was long and palms
were wide. The palms and both feet were fully fleshed. The fingers and
toes were moderately long. The soles of his feet were a bit deep. His feet
were smooth, because of their cleanliness and smoothness the water did
not remain there but flowed away quickly. When he walked, he lifted his
legs with vigour, leaned slightly forward and placed his feet softly on
the ground. He walked at a quick pace and took rather a long step. He did
not take small steps. When he walked it seemed as if he was descending
to a lower place. When he looked at something he turned his whole body
towards it. He always looked down. His sight was focused more to the ground
than towards the sky (A question may arise here that it is reported in
Abu Daawud that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) usually looked
towards the sky. Both are reconciled thus: His habit was to look down towards
the ground, but he also waited for the wahi (revelation), therefore while
waiting he often looked towards the sky. Otherwise he usually looked down
towards the ground.
"Here the gaze of the killer hasn't lifted modestly.
There the hand of the lover rest on the heart of the deceased"
His modest habit was to look at something with a light eye,i.e. he looked
at a thing, with modesty and bashfulness, hence he did not stare at anything.
While walking he asked the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) to walk in front,
and he himself walked behind. He made salaam to whomsoever he met"
COMMENTARY
The Ulama say that Sayyidina (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) walked at
the back because of his humbleness. According to this humble servant, if
this is applied to his journeys it will be more appropriate. It was the
noble habit of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) are described.
Imam Tirmidi has mentioned this Hadith in many chapters where the speech
and humility of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) are described.
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(8) HADITH NUMBER 8
Jaabir bin Samurah (Radiallahu anhu) says: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) had a wide mouth. There were red lines in the whiteness
of his eyes. He had little flesh on his heels."
COMMENTARY
It is desirable for Arab men to have wide mouths. According to some
a wide mouth means eloquence (fluency of language). The translation adopted
in the description of the eyes has been taken from accepted sayings. However
in this Hadith, Imam Tirmidi has translated this to mean wide eyes, as
a narrator of this hadith has done, which according to the linguists is
not correct.
"These intoxicated eyes on which thousands of my kindred be
sacrificed.
That endless destroyer remains intoxicated day and night."
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(9) HADITH NUMBER 9
It is related from Jaabir (Radiallahu anhu) that he said: " I once
saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) on the night of a full moon.
On that night he wore red clothing. At times I looked at the full moon
and at times at Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) . Ultimately I
came to the conclusion that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was
more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon."
"If the illumination in the temple and sanctuary is through
the sun and moon, so what.
I desire you, what should I do with my sight."
(10) HADITH NUMBER 10
Abu-Ishaaq (Radiallahu anhu) says: "A person once asked Baraa bin Aazib
(Radiallahu anhu), "Was the face of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)
shining like a sword?" He replied: "No but like a full-moon with its roundness."
COMMENTARY
In making a comparison with a sword, it may have meant that Sayyidina
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a long face. However the glitter
of a sword has more whiteness than being luminous. For this reason Sayyidina
Baraa (Radiallahu anhu) gave the similarity of the full moon, and not that
of a sword. All these similarities are approximate descriptions, otherwise
even a thousand moons cannot give the brightness of Sayyidina Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).
An Arab poet says: "If you want to describe a shortcoming of a beloved,
then give the beloved a similitude of a full moon. This is enough to insult
him."
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(11) HADITH NUMBER 11
Abu Hurayrah (Radiallahu anhu) says: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe
wasallam) was so clean, clear, beautiful and handsome, as though his body
was covered and moulded in silver. His hair was slightly curled."
COMMENTARY
In the first narration mentioned by Sayyidina Anas (Radiallahu anhu),
it is denied that Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was
very white. From the above hadith, it does not mean that he had white complexion
like silver; rather he had a white and reddish complexion, in which the
beauty and brightness was overwhelming.
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(12) HADITH NUMBER 12
Jaabir bin Abdullah (Radiallahu anhu) narrates from Rasulullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) that he said: "The Ambiyaa (Prophets) were shown to me.
I saw Musa (Alaihis salaam), he had a thin body, like one from among the
tribe of Shanu'ah. I saw Esa (Alaihis salaam). From among all those whom
I have seen, he somewhat resembled Urwah bin Masud. I saw Ebrahim (Alaihis
salaam). From among all those that I have seen,I, more or less, look like
him. In the same manner I saw Jibra-eel (Alaihis salaam). From among all
those I had seen, he more or less looked like Dihyah Kalbi."
COMMENTARY
This was on the night of mi'raaj or in a dream. Imaam Bukhaari (Rahmatullahi
alaihe) has narrated both, on the night of mi'raaj and also in a dream.
There is no confusion or difficulty in these differences, because he may
have seen them on both occasions. The translation of the description of
Sayyidina Musa (Alaihis salaam) as having a light body, in my opinion,
is made from more accurate sayings. Some Ulama in the translation of this
sentence, have expressed other opinions. These three Ambiyaa (Prophets)
were described because Sayyidina Musa (Alaihis salaam) and Sayyidina Esa
(Alaihis salaam) are the nabis of the Bani Israel and Sayyidina Ebrahim
(Alaihis salaam), besides being the great grandfather of Sayyidina Rsulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), was also accepted by all Arabs.
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(13) HADITH NUMBER 13
Sa'eed Jariri (Radiallahu anhu) says: "I heard Abu Tufayl (Radiallahu
anhu) say: "There is no one left on the face of this Earth, besides me
who had seen Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)." I asked him to describe
to me the noble features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). He
said: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a white complexion,
which was slightly reddish, and had a medium sized body."
COMMENTARY
Sayyidina Abu Tufayl (Radiallahu anhu) was the last one among the Sahabah
(Radiallahu anhum) to pass away. He died in the year 110 Hijri. That is
why he said, that there was no one left besides him who had seen Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The ulama say that he used the phrase `face
of the earth' because Sayyidina Esa (Alaihis salaam) is also from the ones
who had seen Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), and is
present in the skies (heavens).
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(14) HADITH NUMBER 14
Ibn Abbas (Radiallahu anhu) says: "The front teeth of Rasulullah (Sallallahu
alaihe wasallam) were a bit wide (spread out). They were spaced out and
not close together. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) talked,
an illumination emitting from his teeth could be seen."
COMMENTARY.
According to the Ulama, it is a well known fact that it was something
similar to nur which emitted from his teeth.
The opinions of Allaamah Munaawi is that it was something sensory,
and not a similarity, which emitted miraculously from between the teeth
of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).
With modesty lower the head and with grace, smile.
How easy it is for the beautiful to strike like lightning.
Everything of his noble features was perfect and beautiful. In the manner
that is real and intrinsic beauty had reached its last stage, in the same
manner his zaahiri (apparent) beauty had also reached its fullest and proper
stage.
Allahumma sali 'alaa Sayyidina Muhammadiw wa 'alaa aalihi biqadri husnihi
wa jamaalihi.
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