The Prophet, , was the finest man to have ever lived, in terms of his physical as well as his moral features.
He had the smoothest palms. He was the sweetest smelling person, the most brilliant, the best companion, the most knowing of Allah The Almighty and the one who feared Him most. In this regard, ‘Abdullaah ibn Ash-Shikhkheer, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I once went to the Prophet while he was praying, and a sound emanated from his breast like the sound of a boiling pot because of his crying.” [Abu Daawood, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
The Prophet, , was the most courageous, the most generous, the fairest in judgment, and the most tolerant in dealing with others. He was the most diligent in worship, the most patient and the humblest before Allah The Almighty. He was the most merciful to people and the most modest. He never avenged himself on anybody nor got angry for his own sake. It was only if any of the sacred ordinances of Allah were violated that he would seek justice for the sake of Allah. If it happened that he became angry for the sake of Allah, no one could stop him. When it came to what is right, all people, the powerful and weak, relatives and non-relatives, the noble and the meek, would be the same in his sight.
He never criticized food. If he liked it, he would eat it; otherwise, he would just leave it. He would eat the available lawful food and never ordered that something specific should be brought. He would accept gifts and reward those who gave them, but could not accept charity for himself.
Moreover, the Prophet, , would mend his shoes, patch his garments, help his wives with the housework, milk his goat and serve himself. He was the most humble of people. If anyone, rich or poor, noble or otherwise, invited him, he would respond to the invitation. He would love the needy, attend their funerals and visit their sick. He never despised anyone for being poor, and never esteemed kings for their sovereignty. He would ride horses, camels, donkeys and mules, and let others ride behind him. He would never let anyone walk behind him. [Ahmad, Ibn Maajah, Al-Haakim and Ibn Hibbaan]
His ring, which included a stone, was made of silver, and he would wear it on the smallest finger on his right hand, and at times on the left. Although he was given the keys to the treasures of the earth, he would tie a stone to his stomach out of hunger because he had chosen the Hereafter.
With regard to his physical characteristics, the Prophet, , was of average height; neither very tall nor very short. Also, he was neither very light nor very dark; rather, he had a pinkish complexion. His hair was neither very curly nor excessively straight. His feet were big and his face was fair and beautiful. He was broad shouldered and of medium height. His hair was thick and would hang down to his earlobes, and at other times to his shoulders or to the middle of his ears. His beard was thick, his fingers and toes were stout and his bones were big. He had a long fine line of hair that extended from his chest to his navel. When he walked, he would lean forward as if walking downhill. No one before or after him was like him. His mouth and eyes were large and his heels were not fleshy. He was more beautiful than the full moon, and his face would shine like it. The seal of prophethood was a red piece of flesh, the size of a pigeon’s egg, that was located between his shoulders. This seal was also said to have some hairs located between his shoulders. He would part his hair and apply oil to it. He did not trim his beard but would to comb it, and he also ordered his Companions to leave their beards untrimmed. He would also order his Companions to apply kohl before sleeping. In this regard he said:
· “Apply kohl when you go to bed, as it sharpens the eyesight and causes the eyelashes to grow.” [At-Tirmithi, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
· “The best type of kohl is Ithmid, which sharpens eyesight and causes the eyelashes to grow.” [At-Tirmithi, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
The Prophet, , had a few white hairs on his head and beard, which were almost twenty in number. When he wore oil on his head and beard, the white hairs would not show, and vice versa. In this context, he said:
· “[Soorah] Hoode and its sisters [chapters] turned my hair white.”
· “The chapters of Hoode, Al-Waaqi‘ah, Al-Mursalaat, ‘Amma Yatasaa’aloon, and Itha Ash-Shamsu Kuwwirat have turned my hair white.” [At-Tirmithi]
His white hairs would turn red when he dyed them with henna. He would like wearing a Qamees (gown) and Habarah (a type of garment). He would also put on a turban and wear a lower garment that would reach his mid-shins. [At-Tirmithi, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
The Prophet, , would like wearing perfume. He said: “Men’s perfume is to be smelled but not seen, and women’s perfume is to be seen but not smelled.” [At-Tirmithi, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
Additionally, the Prophet, , would beautify himself for the occasions of ‘Eed and when receiving delegates, and he would love cleanliness in all matters. He hated to see anyone standing up for him, so none of the Companions would do so as they knew how he felt about this. [Ahmad]
He loved the Siwaak (toothstick) and would use it first thing upon entering his home and whenever he woke up at night for prayer. He would sleep at the beginning of the night and then wake up for the Tahajjud (optional night) prayer. He would prolong his prayer at night until his feet would swell and then perform the Witr payer before dawn. He loved to listen to the Quran recited by others. He would visit those who were ill, attend funerals and pray over the deceased. He was abundantly modest. Anything that he disliked would show on his face. He would like concealment and subtlety. He would rely on Allah The Almighty in the most perfect way, as he was the master of those who rely on Him.
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I served the Prophet for ten years and he never sent me for anything that I would return without completing except that he would say: ‘Had it been decreed, it would have happened,’ or: ‘Had it been predestined, it would have happened.’” [Ahmad]
Along with his belief in the Divine Decree, the Prophet, , would utilize every available worldly means of achieving anything. He never betrayed anyone; rather, he would forbid betrayal. Allah The Almighty preserved him from the corrupt practices of the pre-Islamic era. [Al-Bukhari]
He was a shepherd when he was young, as were all the prophets prior to him. [Al-Bukhari] The stones would greet him before his commissioning as a prophet. [Muslim]