by The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was a unique man in all aspects even in his appearance. Many individuals gave descriptions of Allah’s Messenger, but few had the advantage of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Strong family ties gave Ali the opportunity to grow up in the Prophets (ﷺ) household which allowed him to acquire precise and detailed knowledge of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).[1][2]
Description of the Prophet (ﷺ)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was an individual that would leave people awe-inspired when they met him. His personality and character left even his enemies with a sense of respect for him (ﷺ). Those who described him said he was of average stature; not tall or short with a large build; big bones and large joints. His (ﷺ) head was large and his (ﷺ) face was not fat or fleshy, but slightly rounded and not long; with a whitish complexion mixed with a reddish colour. His (ﷺ) eyes were very black with long lashes. His (ﷺ) head was covered with wavy hair; not very curly, but not straight. He (ﷺ) had an average amount of body hair that was mostly on his arms and legs and a long narrow line of hair from his chest to his navel. Between his shoulders was the seal of the Prophets. When he (ﷺ) walked he (ﷺ) did so with powerful strides filled with strength and vigour; lifting his legs while leaning forward as if walking downhill; like he (ﷺ) was descending from a high place.
Narrations Sahih (Sound)
Amir al-Mu’mineen ‘Ali said, “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was not tall and not short; he had large hands and feet, and his face reddish colour; he had a long narrow line of hair from his chest to his navel; he was of big build, and when he walked, he learned forward slightly as if he was walking downhill. (Manner of walking means that He (ﷺ) was strong, and when he walked, he walked on the front part of his foot, because of his strength).[3] I have never seen anyone like him before or since.[4]
Ali ibn Abi Talib said, “I washed the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and I started looking to see what I would expect in one who was deceased, but I did not see anything. He looked good in life and in death (ﷺ).[5] While I was washing him, “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, how good you look in life and in death.” [6]
Chapter: Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
باب صِفَةِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم
Narrated Abu ‘Is-haq: Al-Bara’ was asked, “Was the face of the Prophet (as bright) as a sword?” He said, “No, but (as bright) as a moon.” [7]
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ سُئِلَ الْبَرَاءُ أَكَانَ وَجْهُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِثْلَ السَّيْفِ قَالَ لاَ بَلْ مِثْلَ الْقَمَرِ
Narrations Hasan (Good)
Chapter on Virtues
كتاب المناقب عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
Narrated ‘Ali: “The Prophet (ﷺ) was not tall nor was he short, his hands and feet were thick, his head was large, he was big-boned, he had a long Masrubah (the line of hair from the chest to the navel), and whenever he walked, he leaned forward as if he was going down a decline. I have not seen anyone before him nor after him that resembled him (ﷺ).” [8]
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمَسْعُودِيُّ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ هُرْمُزَ، عَنْ نَافِعِ بْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالطَّوِيلِ وَلاَ بِالْقَصِيرِ شَثْنَ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ ضَخْمَ الرَّأْسِ ضَخْمَ الْكَرَادِيسِ طَوِيلَ الْمَسْرُبَةِ إِذَا مَشَى تَكَفَّأَ تَكَفُّؤًا كَأَنَّمَا انْحَطَّ مِنْ صَبَبٍ لَمْ أَرَ قَبْلَهُ وَلاَ بَعْدَهُ مِثْلَهُ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ
Narrations Da’if (Weak)
Chapters on Virtues
كتاب المناقب عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
Narrated Ibrahim bin Muhammad, one of the offspring of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib: said: “When ‘Ali [may Allah be pleased with him] described the Prophet (ﷺ) he would say: ‘He was not extremely tall (Mummaghit), nor was he extremely short (Mutaraddid), and he was of medium height in relation to the people. The wave of his hair was not completely curly (Qatat), nor straight, but it was in between. He did not have a large head, nor a small head (Mukaltham), his face was round and a blended-white color (Mushrab), his eyes were dark black (Ad’aj), his eye-lashes were long (Ahdab). He was big-boned and broad shouldered (Al-Katad), his body hair was well-placed, and he had a Masrubah, his hands and feet were thick (Shathn). When he walked he walked briskly (Taqalla’), he leaned forward as if he was walking on a decline (Sabab). And if he turned his head, his body turned as well, between his two shoulders was the seal of Prophethood, and he was the seal of the Prophets. He was the most generous of people [in hand, and the most big-hearted of them] in breast. He was the most truthful of people in speech, the softest of them in nature, and the most noble of them in his relations (‘Ishrah). Whoever saw him for the first time (Badihah) would fear him, and whoever got to know him, loved him. The one who tried to describe him would have to say: ‘I have not seen before him or after him anyone who resembles him (ﷺ).'” [9]
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي حَلِيمَةَ مِنْ قَصْرِ الأَحْنَفِ وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ الضَّبِّيُّ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ الْمَعْنَى وَاحِدٌ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، مَوْلَى غُفْرَةَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، مِنْ وَلَدِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ قَالَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ رضى الله عنه إِذَا وَصَفَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِالطَّوِيلِ الْمُمَغَّطِ وَلاَ بِالْقَصِيرِ الْمُتَرَدِّدِ وَكَانَ رَبْعَةً مِنَ الْقَوْمِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْجَعْدِ الْقَطَطِ وَلاَ بِالسَّبِطِ كَانَ جَعْدًا رَجِلاً وَلَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْمُطَهَّمِ وَلاَ بِالْمُكَلْثَمِ وَكَانَ فِي الْوَجْهِ تَدْوِيرٌ أَبْيَضُ مُشْرَبٌ أَدْعَجُ الْعَيْنَيْنِ أَهْدَبُ الأَشْفَارِ جَلِيلُ الْمُشَاشِ وَالْكَتِدِ أَجْرَدُ ذُو مَسْرُبَةٍ شَثْنُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ إِذَا مَشَى تَقَلَّعَ كَأَنَّمَا يَمْشِي فِي صَبَبٍ وَإِذَا الْتَفَتَ الْتَفَتَ مَعًا بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ خَاتَمُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَهُوَ خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ أَجْوَدُ النَّاسِ كَفًّا وَأَشْرَحُهُمْ صَدْرًا وَأَصْدَقُ النَّاسِ لَهْجَةً وَأَلْيَنُهُمْ عَرِيكَةً وَأَكْرَمُهُمْ عِشْرَةً مَنْ رَآهُ بَدِيهَةً هَابَهُ وَمَنْ خَالَطَهُ مَعْرِفَةً أَحَبَّهُ يَقُولُ نَاعِتُهُ لَمْ أَرَ قَبْلَهُ وَلاَ بَعْدَهُ مِثْلَهُ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لَيْسَ إِسْنَادُهُ بِمُتَّصِلٍ . قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ سَمِعْتُ الأَصْمَعِيَّ يَقُولُ فِي تَفْسِيرِهِ صِفَةَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُمَغَّطِ الذَّاهِبُ طُولاً . وَسَمِعْتُ أَعْرَابِيًّا يَقُولُ تَمَغَّطَ فِي نَشَّابَةٍ أَىْ مَدَّهَا مَدًّا شَدِيدًا . وَأَمَّا الْمُتَرَدِّدُ فَالدَّاخِلُ بَعْضُهُ فِي بَعْضٍ قِصَرًا وَأَمَّا الْقَطَطُ فَالشَّدِيدُ الْجُعُودَةِ وَالرَّجِلُ الَّذِي فِي شَعَرِهِ حُجُونَةٌ قَلِيلاً وَأَمَّا الْمُطَهَّمُ فَالْبَادِنُ الْكَثِيرُ اللَّحْمِ وَأَمَّا الْمُكَلْثَمُ فَالْمُدَوَّرُ الْوَجْهِ . وَأَمَّا الْمُشْرَبُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي فِي بَيَاضِهِ حُمْرَةٌ وَالأَدْعَجُ الشَّدِيدُ سَوَادِ الْعَيْنِ وَالأَهْدَبُ الطَّوِيلُ الأَشْفَارِ وَالْكَتِدُ مُجْتَمَعُ الْكَتِفَيْنِ وَهُوَ الْكَاهِلُ وَالْمَسْرُبَةُ هُوَ الشَّعْرُ الدَّقِيقُ الَّذِي هُوَ كَأَنَّهُ قَضِيبٌ مِنَ الصَّدْرِ إِلَى السُّرَّةِ . وَالشَّثْنُ الْغَلِيظُ الأَصَابِعِ مِنَ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ وَالتَّقَلُّعُ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ بِقُوَّةٍ وَالصَّبَبُ الْحُدُورُ يَقُولُ انْحَدَرْنَا فِي صَبُوبٍ وَصَبَبٍ وَقَوْلُهُ جَلِيلُ الْمُشَاشِ يُرِيدُ رُءُوسَ الْمَنَاكِبِ وَالْعَشِيرَةُ الصُّحْبَةُ وَالْعَشِيرُ الصَّاحِبُ وَالْبَدِيهَةُ الْمُفَاجَأَةُ يُقَالَ بَدَهْتُهُ بِأَمْرٍ أَىْ فَجَأْتُهُ
Additional Narrations
The Noble Features Of Rasoolullah
باب ما جاء في خلق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
It is reported from Ali (Radiallahu Anhu): “Rasullullah (ﷺ) 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. There was a thin line of hair from the chest to the navel. When Rasulullah (ﷺ) 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”.[10]
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا الْمَسْعُودِيُّ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ هُرْمُزَ، عَنْ نَافِعِ بْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، قَالَ: لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالطَّوِيلِ، وَلا بِالْقَصِيرِ، شَثْنُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ، ضَخْمُ الرَّأْسِ، ضَخْمُ الْكَرَادِيسِ، طَوِيلُ الْمَسْرُبَةِ، إِذَا مَشَى تَكَفَّأَ تَكَفُّؤًا، كَأَنَّمَا يَنْحَطُّ مِنْ صَبَبٍ، لَمْ أَرَ قَبْلَهُ، وَلا بَعْدَهُ مِثْلَهُ، صلى الله عليه وسلم
It is related from Ibrahim bin Muhammad (Radiallahu anhu) who is from the sons (grand sons of Ali radiallahu anhu, that whenever Ali radiallahu anhu described the noble features of Rasulullah (ﷺ), he used to say: “Rasulullah (ﷺ) 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 blessed 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 (ﷺ) was white with redness in it. The blessed eyes of Rasulullah (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) were fully fleshed. When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigor, 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 (ﷺ) faced the person he spoke to, with his chest and body. Some scholars have translated this as, when Sayyidina Rasulullah (ﷺ) 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 the 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) ro’b (awe) is also one of the special qualities granted to him (ﷺ). 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 (ﷺ) neither before nor after him.” [11]
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ الضَّبِّيُّ الْبَصْرِيُّ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، وَأَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَبِي حَلِيمَةَ، وَالْمَعْنَى وَاحِدٌ، قَالُوا: حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ مَوْلَى غُفْرَةَ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ مِنْ وَلَدِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، قَالَ: كَانَ عَلِيٌّ إِذَا وَصَفَ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، قَالَ: لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالطَّوِيلِ الْمُمَّغِطِ، وَلا بِالْقَصِيرِ الْمُتَرَدِّدِ، وَكَانَ رَبْعَةً مِنَ الْقَوْمِ، لَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْجَعْدِ الْقَطَطِ، وَلا بِالسَّبْطِ، كَانَ جَعْدًا رَجِلا، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْمُطَهَّمِ، وَلا بِالْمُكَلْثَمِ، وَكَانَ فِي وَجْهِهِ تَدْوِيرٌ، أَبْيَضُ مُشَرَبٌ، أَدْعَجُ الْعَيْنَيْنِ، أَهْدَبُ الأَشْفَارِ، جَلِيلُ الْمُشَاشِ وَالْكَتَدِ، أَجْرَدُ، ذُو مَسْرُبَةٍ، شَثْنُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ، إِذَا مَشَى كَأَنَّمَا يَنْحَطُّ فِي صَبَبٍ، وَإِذَا الْتَفَتَ الْتَفَتَ مَعًا، بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ خَاتَمُ النُّبُوَّةِ، وَهُوَ خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ، أَجْوَدُ النَّاسِ صَدْرًا، وَأَصْدَقُ النَّاسِ لَهْجَةً، وَأَلْيَنُهُمْ عَرِيكَةً، وَأَكْرَمُهُمْ عِشْرَةً، مَنْ رَآهُ بَدِيهَةً هَابَهُ، وَمَنْ خَالَطَهُ مَعْرِفَةً أَحَبَّهُ، يَقُولُ نَاعِتُهُ: لَمْ أَرَ قَبْلَهُ، وَلا بَعْدَهُ مِثْلَهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم
Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib said, when his father described the Prophet (ﷺ) he said, “He was not very tall or very short, he was of average height. His hair was neither curly nor straight, and he was not fat or fleshy in his face and cheeks, but there was some roundness, with large hands and feet. When he walk he moved energetically, as if walking downhill, and when he turned, he turned with all his body.” [12]
It was narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a large head, large eyes and long eyelashes.[13]
Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib said, “He had a thick beard, a reddish face and large hands and feet. When he walked, he leaned forward as if climbing up, and when he turned, he turned with all his body (a sign of courage).” [14]
Notes
- Jump up↑ Ali ibn Abi Talib by Dr. Ali Muhammad Salabi vol.1, pg.124
- Jump up↑ Al-Murtada pg.39-43
- Jump up↑ Ali ibn Abi Talib by Dr. Ali Muhammad Salabi vol.1, pg.124, pg.638
- Jump up↑ Musnad Ahmed, 1/96 no.746. Al-Albani classed it’s chain of narration as sound in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhi
- Jump up↑ Al-Albani: Sahih Sunan ibn Majah 1/247; al-Hakim: al-Mustabrak, 3/59. It is sound according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim although they do not narrate it, and Adh-Dhahabi agreed with him; Ali ibn Abi Talib by Dr. Ali Muhammad Salabi vol.1, pg.125, pg.638
- Jump up↑ As Seerh an Nabawiyyah by ibn Hisham 2/262; Ali ibn Abi Talib by Dr. Ali Muhammad Salabi vol.1, pg.125, pg.638
- Jump up↑ Sahih al-Bukhari 3552, In-book reference: Book 61, Hadith 61: Chapter: The description of the Prophet (ﷺ)
- Jump up↑ Hasan (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3637 – Arabic reference: Book 49, Hadith 3997
- Jump up↑ Da’if (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3638 – Arabic reference: Book 49, Hadith 3999
- Jump up↑ Shama’il Muhammadiyah by Muhammad ibn Isa at-Tirmidhi Book 1, Hadith 5 – Arabic reference : Book 1, Hadith 5
- Jump up↑ Shama’il Muhammadiyah by Muhammad ibn Isa at-Tirmidhi Book 1, Hadith 6 – Arabic reference : Book 1, Hadith 7
- Jump up↑ Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, 5/599. It is reliable ghareeb, and its chain of narration is not complete; Ali ibn Abi Talib by Dr. Ali Muhammad Salabi vol.1, pg.124, pg.638
- Jump up↑ Hasn ibn Moosa ar-Rawi from Hammad Abd-Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Aqeel ibn Muhammad ibn Ali
- Jump up↑ Musnad Ahmed, 1/89 with a sound chain of narration; Ali Ibn Abi Talib by Dr. Sallabi Vol.1, pg.124, pg.638