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Lesson The Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ possessed the most beautiful of characteristics and qualities. He was bestowed with the most exalted of noble traits, praiseworthy character, high manners. Whoever ponders upon his merits and qualities will find that he ﷺ was the single greatest human being that humanity has ever known.
He is the best of Allah's servants and the most beloved of them to Allah the Exalted. He is the friend of Allah, the chosen one, and the one selected by Him. He was the most complete of Allah's servants in worship and the purest of them in character, the kindest of souls, the best in treatment, and the most knowledgeable of Allah the Exalted and the most perfect of them in servitude to Him. Allah selected him to be His messenger and prophet for all of creation. He was the medium between Allah and people in leading them towards good and calling to guidance.
Allah chose him from the best and most prestigious of humanity in lineage. He distinguished him with the most complete human attributes in terms of character and manners. He also distinguished him with the most complete attributes in his glorious form, beautiful appearance, bright face, and lofty and exalted attributes, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him. Among his attributes ﷺ are the following:
1. The Description of the Stature of the Messenger ﷺ
On the authority of Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) in describing the Prophet ﷺ said: “He was of medium stature amongst his people, he was neither tall nor short.” Al-Bukhari (3547).
2. The Characteristics of His Honorable Face ﷺ
He ﷺ had the best of faces among people. His face was round but not extremely round. Rather it was pleasantly shaped, extremely beautiful, bright and glowing with radiance, shining like the face of the moon on the night of the full moon. His face would be a comforting sight to everyone who saw him. If he became pleased, the lines on his forehead would express his pleasure. His ears were perfectly shaped.
Characteristics of the Prophet's Face ﷺ
His beard ﷺ was hairy, black and round. The hair between his chin and his lower lip was prominent and raised. Under his lower lip, the hair transitioned perfectly into the hair of the beard as if it were part of it.
The Color of the Prophet's Skin ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ had the best skin color among people; his skin tone was white with a reddish complexion. His face was radiant, white and glowing. On the authority of Jubair ibn Mut'im that 'Ali ibn Abi Talib described the Prophet ﷺ saying: "He had a large head, a reddish white complexion, and a large beard.
4. The Hair of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ had a full, thick set of hair which would go down to the middle of his ears if it was short. When it became long, it would reach his shoulders. His hair was neither straight nor curly, but rather between the two. Sometimes he would have his hair over his forehead and other times, he would part his hair from the middle of his head, without bangs on his forehead.
Qatadah narrates: I asked Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), "How as the hair of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? He said, "His hair was wavy, neither curly nor straight, and would go down between his ears and shoulders" (Al-Bukhari 5905, Muslim 2338).
The white hair on his head and beard did not exceed 20 hairs, and the majority of them were was between his chin and lower lip. As for the white hair on his head, it was in the middle of his head.
The Prophet ﷺ used to comb his hair, maintain it, and beautify it without exaggeration and immersion in luxury and comfort, and he would start with the right side of his head.
5. Description of the Shoulders, Arms, and Hands of the Prophet ﷺ
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: "I have not touched silk nor a silk brocade softer than the palm of the Prophet ﷺ." (Al-Bukhari 3561, Muslim 2330).
6. Description of the Prophetic Seal
Near his left shoulder was the seal of prophecy, which is a raised protrusion similar to the color of his body, the size of a pigeon's egg, surrounded by moles. There was a collection of hair on the seal.
Jabir ibn Samura (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: “I saw the seal on his shoulder like an egg of a pigeon, resembling [the complexion of] his body.” Muslim (2344)
7. Description of His Chest and Stomach ﷺ
8. Description of the Legs and Feet of the Prophet ﷺ
His sweat had a scent more pleasant than musk. If anyone shook the Prophet's hand, his scent would remain on his hands the entire day. He would frequently use fragrances.
Anas narrates: "I have never smelled a musk or amber more pleasant and beautiful than the scent of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ" (Muslim 2330).
A comprehensive statement describing his noble character ﷺ
Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: {And verily you are of a great character} (Al-Qalam:4). When Gabriel came to the Prophet ﷺ for the first time, and he was stricken with fear, he told the Mother of the Believers Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her): "I was afraid that something might happen to me." She replied: "Rejoice! For by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. For by Allah, you keep good relations with your kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, entertain your guests generously, and assist those who are stricken with calamities." (Al-Bukhari 4953, Muslim 160)
1. The Integrity of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ was well-known for his trustworthiness and integrity to the extent that he was dubbed by his people pre-prophethood as "The Trustworthy One." In spite of their hostility toward him post-prophethood, they would continue to entrust their personal belongings with him.
2. His compassion and mercy ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ was compassionate and merciful towards his nation. Allah the Exalted said: {There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer from; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is compassionate and merciful}. (At-Tawbah:128). And He the Exalted and Mighty also said: {So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have scattered away from you} (Ale-Imran:159).
3. His Pardoning and Forgiving Nature ﷺ
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered Makkah as a conqueror, the great men of Makkah and its valiant stood before him submissively, after having displayed extreme enmity and abuse toward him and his companions for many years. Despite this, he only said to them: There is with him and hurt his companions for a number of years, so he only said to them: There is no blame on you today. Go, for you are free.
4. His Keenness to Guide the Creation ﷺ
He was so keen on guiding people that he almost destroyed himself out of grief towards them. The Almighty said: {Then perhaps you would kill yourself out of grief toward them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow} (Al-Kahf:6).
5. His Courage and Strength ﷺ
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the most courageous people, described the bravery of the Prophet ﷺ: "When the fighting intensified and the two sides met in battle, we sought shelter with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and no one was closer to the enemy than him" (Ahmad 1347).
