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The preceding chapters of this book discussed examples of the Prophet (saas)'s morality, as revealed in the Qur'an, and which is an example to all of mankind. We have considered various aspects of his just, compassionate, merciful, peaceful, conciliatory, mild, patient, Allah-fearing, modest and determined disposition. As well as verses from the Qur'an, statements from the Prophet (saas)'s companions that have come down to us also contain a great deal of information about the Prophet (saas). Many details, such as his relations with his family and the believers around him, details of his daily life, his physical appearance, the feelings of awe he inspired in those who saw him, the food he enjoyed, his clothes and smile are all described by Islamic scholars with the term "outward form" (shamail). The term comprises such ideas as "character, temperament, behavior and attitudes." Even if the concept of "shamail" originally had a broader meaning, it became more specific over time and eventually became a term used to describe the details of the kind of life the Prophet (saas) led and his personality traits. Every detail of the character and manner of this chosen servant of Allah, whom He favored over all beings, is at the same time a reflection of his superior morality. The main intention for the composition of this chapter on the outward form of the Prophet (saas) is to examine those of his features that have been described in sources that have come down to us, and for us to draw inspiration from them for our own lives. The physical beauty of the Prophet (saas) The companions of the Prophet (saas) have passed on a great many detail about him, from the beauty of that blessed individual's external appearance, his radiance and disposition that left those who beheld him in awe, to his smile, and many other beautiful aspects that Allah had manifested in him. There were a fair number of such companions, and they have given many details of his great beauty. Those Muslims who lived at the same time as the Prophet (saas) have described many aspects of the servant of Allah. While some of those describe him in broad terms, others have given long and detailed descriptions. Some of these accounts are as follows: The Prophet (saas)'s external appearance and beauty His companions described the beauty of the Prophet (saas) in these terms: "The Prophet (saas) had a most handsome constitution. Some gave the smile of his beauty to that of the full moon…His nose was thin… His face was smooth…His beard was thick…His neck was the most beautiful…If the rays of the sun fell on his neck, it appeared like a cup of silver mixed with gold… The place between his shoulders was wide."67 Anas bin Malik (ra) says: "The Messenger of Allah, was not
excessively tall or short. He was not very pallid nor dark. He did
not have curly hair or lank hair. Allah commissioned him at the
age of forty. He stayed in Mecca ten years and at Medina for ten
years and Allah the Mighty, the Majestic made him die when he was
sixty. There were not twenty white hairs in his hair or beard, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace."68
"Rasulullah (saas) was so clean, clear, beautiful and handsome."69 Anas bin Malik (ra) says: "The Prophet (saas) was neither tall nor short. He was handsome. His hair was neither delicate nor curly. He was neither very white, nor very brown."70
Baraa bin Aazib (ra) relates: "I never saw someone more handsome than Rasullullah. His hair reached his shoulders. The portion between his two shoulders was wide. He was neither very tall nor very short."71 Ibrahim b. Muhammed (ra), one of the grandsons of Ali (ra), informs us: "When Ali (ra) described the Prophet (saas) he said: 'He was neither very tall nor excessively short, but was a man of medium size. He had neither very curly nor flowing hair but a mixture of both... He was reddish-white, he had wide black eyes and long eyelashes. He had protruding joints and shoulder-blades… Between his shoulders was the seal of prophecy... He had a finer chest than anyone else, was truer in utterance than anyone else, had the gentlest nature and the noblest lineage. Those who saw him stood suddenly in awe of him and those who shared his acquaintance loved him. Those who described him said they had never seen anyone like him before or since'."72
Hassan (ra) says: "He had great qualities and attributes, others also held him in high esteem. His blessed face shone like the full moon. He was slightly taller than a man of middle height, but shorter than a tall person...His blessed 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…Rasulullah (saas) had a very luminous complexion (color), and a wide forehead. His eye brows were of dense and fine hair … ... His neck was beautiful and thin, like the neck of a statue shaved clean, the color of which was clear, shining and beautiful like silver. All the parts of his body were of moderate size. His body was proportionately jointed…"73 Abu Huraira (ra) describes: "The complexion of Rasulullah (saas) was white with redness in it. The blessed eyes of Rasulullah (saas) were extremely black. His eyelashes were long."74 "His forehead was wide and the place between his eyebrows was bright like pure silver and eye-balls were black tinged with reddish hue. The hairs of his eye lashes were profuse… When he smiled or laughed, they (his teeth) shone like lightning. His lip was most beautiful…His beard was thick…His neck was most beautiful, neither long, nor short. If the rays of the sun fell on his neck, it appeared like a cup of silver mixed with gold. His chest was broad. It was even like a mirror and white like the moon light… His shoulders were wide. His palms were softer than wool."75
Umm Ma'bad (ra), who was known for her generosity, uprightness and courage, was visited by the Prophet (saas) during the Prophet (saas)'s migration from Mecca to Medina, but failed to recognize him. However, she described him to her husband, who recognized the Prophet (saas) from her description: "He was innocently bright and had a broad countenance. His manners were fine... He had black attractive eyes... His hair glossy and black, inclined to curl, he wore long. His voice was very commanding. His head was well formed and set on a slender neck. His expression was pensive and contemplative, serene and sublime. The stranger was fascinated from the distance, but no sooner he became intimate with him, than this fascination was changed into attachment and respect. His expression was very sweet and distinct. His speech was well set and free from the use of superfluous words, as if it were rosary of beads. His stature was neither too high nor too small. He was singularly bright and fresh. He was always surrounded by his Companions. Whenever he uttered something, the listeners would hear him with rapt attention and whenever he issued a commandment, they vied with each other in carrying it out. He was a master and a commander."76 As we can discern from those who saw him in person, the Prophet (saas) was extraordinarily handsome, with a finely proportioned body and a face that took one's breath away. He also had a very athletic and powerful build. The Prophet (saas)'s appearance Ahmet Cevdet Pasha, an important scholar from Ottoman times, wrote a study that effectively summarized descriptions of the Prophet (saas)'s features. That appeared in Part IV of the Qisas al-Anbiya (Stories of the Prophets), under the heading "Some Attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (saas)": "The blessed one had a beautiful appearance, his limbs were in perfect proportion, his body was well-formed, his forehead and chest and the distance between his shoulders were broad. His neck was slender and pure as silver, his shoulders, biceps and calves were large and thick, his wrists were long, his fingers also long, and his hands and fingers rather thick. His blessed skin was softer than silk. On his perfect countenance were a well-proportioned head, curved eyebrows, a long nose and an oval face. His eyelashes were long, his eyes black and beautiful, the space between his largish eyebrows was clear, though his eyebrows were close together. That chosen Prophet (saas) was shining in appearance. In other words, he was neither light nor dark, but somewhere between the two, white like a red rose, light and limpid, and the light shone from his face. His teeth were as white as pearls and bright, and the light gleamed from his front teeth as he spoke. When he laughed, it was as if his mouth gave off rays like soft lightning… His senses were exceedingly powerful. He could hear from a long way off and see further than anyone. In essence, he had a body formed in perfection and uniqueness, and blessed … Anyone suddenly seeing him would be consumed with love, and anyone speaking with him would feel great love in his heart and soul. The wise respected him in accordance with their degree. He greatly honoured his relatives. He would not, however, treat them better than those more worthy than them. He treated his servants well. Whatever he wore or ate, he would give to them to wear and eat. He was generous, beneficial, compassionate, forgiving, brave and mild. In speech, he kept to his word. In essence, his excellent morality, sharp powers of reasoning were greater than those of all other people and worthy of great praise. In eating and apparel he contented himself with the very poorest degree and refrained from excess."77
The Prophet (saas)'s seal of Prophethood Allah favored the Prophet Muhammad (saas) over all beings, and declared him to be "the Final Seal of the Prophets." (Surat al-Ahzab: 40) No prophet would be sent after him, and the Qur'an would be the last revelation to guide people onto the true way. Allah manifested that unique feature of the Prophet (saas) with a mark on his body. In Islamic sources and oral accounts, that sign between the Prophet (saas)'s shoulder blades is known as "the seal of Prophethood." It is reported by Wahb bin Munebbih (ra) that the other prophets also had similar marks, but that that of the Prophet (saas) was different: "Allah never sent down a prophet who did not have the sign of prophethood on his right hand. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) was the only exception to this. His sign of prophethood was (not on his right hand) but between his shoulder blades. When asked about it, the Prophet said, 'This mark between my shoulder blades is like the marks on the prophets before me' …"78 Jaabir bin Samurah (ra) relates that: "I saw the Seal of Prophethood of Rasullullah (saas) between his two shoulders, the size of which was like that of a pigeon's egg."79 Ibrahim bin Muhammad (ra), one of the grandchildren of Ali (ra), reports: "Whenever Ali (ra) described the nobel features of Rasulullah (saas), he used to say: 'The seal of Prophethood was situated between his shoulders. He was a last of all prophets'."80 Abu Nadrah (ra) says: "I asked Abu Sa'eed Khudari (ra) about the Seal of Prophethood of Rasulullah (saas) He said: 'It was a piece of raised flesh that was on Rasulullah (saas)'s back'."81 "The place between his shoulders were wide and therein there was impression or seal of Prophethood inclined a little towards the right shoulder."82
Another report comes from Assib bin Yazid (ra): "I saw the seal in between his shoulders."83 There are different descriptions of the length of the Prophet (saas)'s hair. It is natural that there should be discrepancies between them, as the people these accounts have come down from saw him at different times, when his hair may have been of different lengths. Yet, what can be recognized from these descriptions was that the Prophet (saas)'s hair was at ear-level at its shortest and at shoulder-length at its longest. Anas bin Malik (ra) recalls : "The hair of Rasulullah (saas) reached till half of his ears."84 Aisha (ra) reports: "The blessed hair of Rasulullah (saas) was longer than those that reached the ear lobes, and shorter than those that reached the shoulders."85 Baraa bin Aazib (ra) says: "Rasulullah (saas) was of average height, and the portion between the two shoulders was wide. His hair reached his ear lobes."86 Umm Haani, the daughter of Abu Taalib (ra) offers the following description: "Rasulullah (saas) came to Mecca once after the hijrah (migration). His blessed hair had four plaits."87
The grooming of the Prophet (saas)'s hair and beard The Prophet (saas) attached the greatest importance to cleanliness, and therefore, to his hair and beard too. It is reported in some sources that he always carried with him a comb, mirror, miswak (a small natural toothbrush), tooth-pick, scissors and a kuhl bottle.88 The Prophet (saas) advised his companions to do the same, and said: "He who has hair should honor it ."89 Some other reports that have reached us of his hair and beard are: Hassan (ra) said: "He had a thick, dense beard."90 Anas bin Malik (ra) reports: "Sayyidina Rasulullah (saas) often rubbed oil in his head…"91 Simak bin Harb (ra) reports: "Jaabir bin Samurah (ra) was asked a question regarding the white hair of Rasulullah He replied: 'When Rasulullah (saas) oiled his hair, it (white hair) did not show. When he did not oil it, it showed'."92 The Prophet (saas) set an example for the believers with the importance he attached to his appearance and cleanliness. One account describes the Prophet (saas)'s attitude to such matters: "The Prophet (saas) once intended to go to his companions and so he put on his turban and dressed his hairs…He said: 'Yes, Allah loves the actions of His servant who refines his body in order to meet his friends and brothers'."93 The Prophet (saas)'s manner of dress
"No one who has even an atom's-weight of pride in his heart will enter Paradise." A man asked him, "What if he likes his clothes and shoes to look good?" (Meaning, is this counted as pride?) The Prophet (saas) said: "Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Pride means denying the truth and looking down on other people."94 He regarded dressing well and looking good as a demonstration of the blessings of Allah: "Allah loves to see the result of His blessing on His creatures."95 Jundub ibn Makith (r.a.) said: "Whenever a delegation came to meet the Messenger of Allah, he would wear his best clothes and order his leading Companions to do likewise. I saw the Prophet (saas) on the day that the delegation of Kindah came to meet him; he was wearing a Yemeni garment, and Abu Bakr and 'Umar were dressed similarly."96 Another hadith relates: "Eat what you like, and wear what you like provided that it is free from two things : extravagance and vainglory."97
"The Messenger of Allah was in the mosque, when a man with unkempt hair and an untidy beard came in. The Prophet (saas) pointed to him, as if indicating to him that he should tidy up his hair and beard. The man went and did so, then returned. The Prophet (saas) said, 'Is this not better than that any one of you should come with unkempt hair?'"98 According to the hadith narrated by one of the companions of the Prophet (saas), the Prophet (saas) told his Companions, when they were travelling to meet some brothers in faith: "You are going to visit your brothers, so repair your saddles and make sure that you are dressed well, so that you will stand out among people like an adornment, for Allah does not love ugliness."99 Some of the information that was conveyed through the inner circle of the Prophet (saas) about his clothing are below: Umar (ra) relates: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (saas) ask for a new garment. He put it on, and when it reached his knees he said, 'Praise be to Allah, Who has given me clothes with which to cover myself and make myself look beautiful in this life.'"100
"The Holy Prophet (saas) liked kurta (long shirt) most."101 Qurrah bin Ilyaas (ra) describes: "I came with a group from the tribe of Muzeenah to pay allegiance to Rasulullah (saas). The button loop of Rasulullah (saas) was open."102 Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (ra) states: "I have never seen someone with long hair and red clothing more handsome than Rasullullah (saas). His hair reached his shoulders."103 Another report comes from Fazl ibn Abbas (ra): "The Holy Prophet (saas) said: 'Adopt white clothes; it is the best attire.'"104 Aisha (ra) reported that: "Allah's Apostle (saas) went out one morning wearing a cloak made of (camel's or sheep's) black hair with patterns of camel saddles upon it."105
The Prophet (saas)'s outdoor clothes Ubayd bin Khaalid (ra) reports that: "I was once going to Madina. I heard a person from behind me say: 'Wear your lungi (loose dress) higher because it avoids physical and spiritual impurities.' (The lungi will remain cleaner and will not become dirty by being dragged on the ground.) When I turned to see who was talking I saw that it was Rasulullah (saas)."106 Salamah bin Akwa (ra) informs us that: "Uthmaan (ra) wore his lungi till the middle of his shin and said: 'This is how my master Rasulullah (saas) wore his lungi.'"107 The Prophet (saas)'s ring and seal
Anas bin Malik (ra) says: "Rasulullah (saas) had a ring made
of silver and its (inlaid) gem was also of silver."108 "Rasullullah (saas) therefore had a ring made, the whiteness of which is still before my eyes."109 "The inscription engraved on the ring of Rasulullah (saas) was 'Muhammad Rasulullah,' of which in the first line was engraved 'Muhammad,' in the second line 'Rasul,' and in the third line 'Allah'."110 The Prophet (saas)'s manner of walking Abu Huraira (ra) reports: "I did not see anyone more handsome than Rasulullah (saas). It was as if the brightness of the sun had shone from his blessed face. I did not see anyone walk faster than him, as is the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with him and he walked at his normal pace."111 One of Ali (ra)'s grandchildren, Ibrahim bin Muhammad (ra), says that the Prophet (saas) had an easy manner of walking: When 'Ali (ra) described Rasulullah (saas), he used to say: 'When he walked, because of the speed and force of the legs, it seemed as if he was descending from a high place'."112 Hassan (ra) describes how: "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 a rather 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 blessed glance was focused more to the ground than towards the sky. His noble habit was to look at something with a slight glance. He made salaam (greeted) first to whomsoever he met."113
  
67. Imam Ghazzali's Ihya
Ulum-Id-Din (The Book of Religious Learnings), Islamic Book Service,
New Delhi, 2001,Volume II, p.251
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His
companions have handed down a great many details about the Prophet
(saas)'s manner of dress. In addition to these, the Prophet (saas)'s
advice to the believers about how they should dress reveal the importance
he attached to this subject. For example, one hadith reports him
as saying:
