Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya

As salaamu 'alaykum.

On the eve of every jumu'a (Thursday night), I will post one prophetic tradition from imam Tirmidhi's, Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya. Learning about the prophet's characteristics, is an obligation upon every Muslim. One cannot truly love God without first loving His Rasul (sallallahu 'alayhi wa salaam). In order to love something, one must know all there is to know about the object. By learning about our Liege-Lord Muhammad's (sallallahu 'alayhi wa salaam) physical traits and manners, we will ascend in maqamat (spiritual ranks), thus, attaining the title of insan al-kamil (the perfect man).

May Allah ta'ala give us all tawfiq.

(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 hadith, that it is stated in one hadith 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 height, 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 hadith 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 ahadith, 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 ahadith it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) attained the age of sixty five years. At the end of this kitab all three ahadith will be quoted. Imam Bukhari (R.A.) says:

"Most narrations show that Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) lived for sixty three years." The 'ulama (scholars) have summed up these ahadith in two ways. First, that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) received nubuwwah (prophethood) at the age of forty and risalah three years thereafter, and after that he lived for ten years in Makkah Mukaramah. According to this, the three years between nubuwwah and risalah have been in the hadith under discussion.

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