Holy prophet muhammad (p.b.u.h.) physical description.

Holy prophet muhammad (p.b.u.h.) physical description.

Hazrat Sheikh-ul Hadeeth Maulana Muhammad Zakaria (R.A.) writes in Khasa'Ile Nabawi -- in explanation of SHAMA'ILE TIRMIDHI:-

Imaam Tirmidhi has quoted in this chapter those ahaadith that have been narrated on the noble features of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). It is impossible to accurately describe actual beauty and elegance of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).

To draw a pen-picture of his appearance is beyond one's capability, but the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) have endeavoured, according to their capabilities, to preserve what little they could, of which some is written here. Qurtubi says: "The full beauty and elegance of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) has not been made manifest, otherwise it would not have been possible for man to look at him". The Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum), have done the ummah an immense favour by conveying to them the perfect intrinsic knowledge, as well as the perfect conspicuous elegance and beauty of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). When an unfulfilled lover is deprived of meeting the beloved then he stands in front of the beloved's house remembering the features of his beloved, in an attempt to gain some solace. It is from habits and features that the heart is appeased.

Imaam Tirmidhi has collected from these about 400 ahaadith and divided them into fifty five chapters. In the first chapter fourteen ahaadith are quoted.

(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 hadeeth, that it is stated in one hadeeth 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 hight, 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 hadeeth 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 ahaadith, 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 ahaadith it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) attained the age of sixty five years. At the end of this kitaab all three ahaadith will be quoted. Imaam Bukhari (R.A.) says:

"Most narrations show that Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) lived for sixty three years." The ulama (scholars) have summed up these ahaadith in two ways. First, that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) received nubuwwah (prophethood) at the age of forty and risaalah three years thereafter, and after that he lived for ten years in Makkah Mukaraamah. According to this, the three years between nubuwwah and risaalah have been in the hadeeth under discussion.
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(2) HADEETH NO. 2.

Anas bin Malik (Radiallhu Anhu) reports, "Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was of a medium stature, he was neither very tall nor very short. He was very handsome, of medium built and his hair was neither very curly nor very straight (but was slightly wavy). He had a wheat-coloured complexion. When he walked, he leaned forward slightly".

COMMENTARY.

In this hadeeth Sayyidina Anas (Radiallhu Anhu) states that the complexion of Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was wheat coloured. In the previous hadith, also narrated by Sayyidina Anas (Radiallahu Anhu), he states that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) did not have a wheat-coloured complexion. This has been mentioned in the translation of the hadeeth. Actually, what is derived from the two hadeeth is that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was not of such a dark complexion that decrease the lightness and beauty of a person, but had a radiant and light colour, which slightly wheat-coloured.

In this hadeeth the word `Yata-kaf-fa-oo' is used regarding the walking of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The scholars interpret this word in several ways. Some say it means to walk at a fast pace. Some are of the opinion that it means to lean a bit forward while walking. Some say it means to lift the leg with force. All three explanations are correct because the walk of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) fulfilled all three descriptions and the word also conveys these three meanings. Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) walked quickly and not like the Romeos of this age who walk like women. It was also the noble habit of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) to walk with slight forward inclination of the head and shoulders. He did not walk with chest pushed out with pride. He lifted his legs as men do while walking and did not drag his legs on the ground.
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(3) HADEETH NO. 3.

Baraa bin Aazib (Radiallahu anhu) relates that: "Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was a man of a medium build, (slightly tall, as explained before); he had broad shoulders (from which we may gather that he had a wide chest); he had dense hair which reached his ear-lobes; he wore a red striped lungi (a cloth worn around the legs) and shawl. I never saw anybody or anything more handsome than him".

COMMENTARY.

In this hadeeth the word `Rajulun Marbu'un' is used, which if the letter `Jeem' has a dammah (pesh), means a man. This could be correct. This type of word is used in the Arabic language for connecting words, but because no special quality or attribute is derived, some Muhadditheen (scholars of hadeeth) are of the opinion that if the letter `Jeem' has a fatah (zabar) on it, it means something that is between straight and bent. It may also be possible that in this case it refers to the description of the hair of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), and as described before, his mubarak (blessed) hair had a slight curl in it. From this hadeeth, some scholars are of the opinion that it is permissible for men to wear red coloured clothing. According to the Hanafis there is a detailed explanation on this subject. Before selecting red clothing, the scholars should be consulted regarding its permissibility.

The scholars have written that in this hadeeth the Sahabi did not see `anything' more handsome and beautiful than Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). This is said because besides human beings, the moon, sun, etc. are also included.
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(4) HADEETH NO. 4.

Baraa bin Aazib (Radiallahu Anhu) reports: "I never seen someone with long hair and red clothing more handsome than Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). His hair reached his shoulders. The portion between his two shoulders was wide. He was neither very tall nor very short".

COMMENTARY.
The description of the hair of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) in this hadeeth is different one mentioned before. There it is stated that his hair reached his ear-lobes. In reality there is no difference between the two hadeeth, as the hair does not remain the same length but grows. Sometimes the hair was shortened, sometimes longer hair was kept.
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(5) HADEETH NO. 5.
It is reported from Ali (Radiallahu Anhu): "Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam 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. The was a thin line of hair from the chest to the navel. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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".

COMMENTARY.
The use of a sentence like: "I have not seen anyone like him", is primarily for emphasis. By describing Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) in this manner, there is however no exaggeration because the complete beauty of appearance of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) cannot be fully described. Munaawi wrote that every person is required to believe that with whatever physical qualities and attributes of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) is described, no other person can compare with it. This is not merely a belief. Books on Seerah (History of the Prophet peace be upon him) and ahaadeeth are replete with descriptions of his beautiful qualities. Therein it is stated that Allah Ta'aala bestowed fully on the Prophet (peace be upon him) all the inner kamaalat (perfection) and Zaahiri (apparent) beauty. Two verses (couplets) are narrated from Sayyiditina Aa'ishah (Radiallahu Anha), the meaning of which is: "that if the friends of Zulaikha could see the blessed face of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), they would have cut their hearts instead of their hands". How true! If you wish to read more about the love of the Sahabah (Radiallahu Anhum---male and female---for Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) read Chapter Eight of my book `Stories of the Sahabah' (Radiallahu Anhum).
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(6) HADITH NO: 6.
It is related from Ebrahim bin Muhammad (Radiallahu anhu) who is from the sons (grand sons of Ali radiallahu anhu, that whenever Ali radiallahu anhu described the nobel features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), he used to say: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 mubaarak 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was white with redness in it. The mubaarak eyes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were fully fleshed. When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigour, 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) faced the person he spoke to, with his chest and body. Some scholars have translated this as, when Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 a 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) ro'b (awe) is also one of the special qualities granted to him). 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) neither before nor after him."

(7) HADITH NO. 7
Hasan bin Ali (Radiallahu anhu) reported: "I inquired from my maternal uncle (Sayyiditina Fatimah Radiallahu anha's step brother) Hind bin Abi Haalah (Radiallahu anhu) about the noble features of the Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). He had often described the noble features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) in detail. I felt that I should hear from him personally, some of the noble features of Raulullah (Sallallahu alalihe wasallam), so that I could make his discription a proof and testimony for myself and also memorise them, and, if possible, try to emulate and adopt them. (The age of Sayyidna Hasan (Radiallahu anhu) at the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)'s death was seven years. In view of his age he did not have the opportunity to realise fully the features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The uncle descirbed the noble features by saying: "He had great qualities and attributes in him, others also held him in high estemm. His mubarak face shone like the full moon. He was slightly taller than a man of middle height, but shorter than a tall person. His mubarak head was moderately large. His mubarak 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. (This is a more respected transaltion).

A question may arise that Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) habitually parted his hair as stated in Ahadith. The Ulama say that this was in the early periods where Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) did not make an effort to do so. According to this humble servant, the answer to this is bit difficult, because it was the principal of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) to oppose the ways of the non- beleivers, and agree to the ways of Ahlul Kitab, he did not part his hair in the middle. For this reason, according to some Ulama, the bets translation will be that he only parted his hair in the middle if it could be easily done, and when this could not be done easily, and a comb etc. was needed to do it, then he did not part his hair in the middle. Occasionally he used to part his hair in the middle with a comb etc. When the hair of Rasulullah (Sallallalhu alaihe wasallallam) was abundant, it used to pass over his ear- lobes). Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a very luminous complexion (colour), and a wide forehead. He had dense and fine hair on his eye brows. Both eye brows were seperate and did not meet each other in the middle. There was a vein between them that used to expand when he became angry. His nose was prominemt and had a nur and lustre on it. When one first looked at him, it seemed as if he had a large nose, but looking at it carefully showed that the lustre and beauty made it look large, otherwise in itself the nose was not large."

His beard was full and dense. The pupil of his eye was black. His cheeks were full and full of flesh. The mouth of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was moderately wide. (He did not have a small mouth). His teeth were thin and bright. The front teeth had a slight space between them. There was a thin line of hair from the chest to the navel. His neck was beautiful and thin, like the neck of a statue shaved clean, the colour of which was clear, shining and beautiful like silver. All the parts of his body were of moderate size, and fully fleshed. His body was proportionately jointed. His chest and stomach were in line, but his chest was broad and wide. The space between his shoulders was wide. The bones of his joints were strong and large (denoting strength). When he removed his clothing, his body looked bright and had a lustre (or rather those parts of the body that were not covered by his clothing were also bright and shining, compared with those parts of the body that were covered by his clothing. According to this humble servant the latter translation is more appropriate). Between the chest and navel there was a thin line of hair. Besides this line neither the chest nor the stomach had other hair on it. Both sides, the shoulders and the upper portion of the chest had hair. His forearm was long and palms were wide. The palms and both feet were fully fleshed. The fingers and toes were moderately long. The soles of his feet were a bit deep. His feet were smooth, because of their cleanliness and smoothness the water did not remain there but flowed away quickly. 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 rather a 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 sight was focused more to the ground than towards the sky (A question may arise here that it is reported in Abu Daawud that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) usually looked towards the sky. Both are reconciled thus: His habit was to look down towards the ground, but he also waited for the wahi (revelation), therefore while waiting he often looked towards the sky. Otherwise he usually looked down towards the ground.

"Here the gaze of the killer hasn't lifted modestly.
There the hand of the lover rest on the heart of the deceased"

His modest habit was to look at something with a light eye,i.e. he looked at a thing, with modesty and bashfulness, hence he did not stare at anything. While walking he asked the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) to walk in front, and he himself walked behind. He made salaam to whomsoever he met"

COMMENTARY
The Ulama say that Sayyidina (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) walked at the back because of his humbleness. According to this humble servant, if this is applied to his journeys it will be more appropriate. It was the noble habit of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) are described. Imam Tirmidi has mentioned this Hadith in many chapters where the speech and humility of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) are described.
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(8) HADITH NUMBER 8
Jaabir bin Samurah (Radiallahu anhu) says: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a wide mouth. There were red lines in the whiteness of his eyes. He had little flesh on his heels."

COMMENTARY
It is desirable for Arab men to have wide mouths. According to some a wide mouth means eloquence (fluency of language). The translation adopted in the description of the eyes has been taken from accepted sayings. However in this Hadith, Imam Tirmidi has translated this to mean wide eyes, as a narrator of this hadith has done, which according to the linguists is not correct.

"These intoxicated eyes on which thousands of my kindred be sacrificed.
That endless destroyer remains intoxicated day and night."
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(9) HADITH NUMBER 9
It is related from Jaabir (Radiallahu anhu) that he said: " I once saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) on the night of a full moon. On that night he wore red clothing. At times I looked at the full moon and at times at Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) . Ultimately I came to the conclusion that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon."

"If the illumination in the temple and sanctuary is through the sun and moon, so what.
I desire you, what should I do with my sight."


(10) HADITH NUMBER 10
Abu-Ishaaq (Radiallahu anhu) says: "A person once asked Baraa bin Aazib (Radiallahu anhu), "Was the face of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) shining like a sword?" He replied: "No but like a full-moon with its roundness."

COMMENTARY
In making a comparison with a sword, it may have meant that Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a long face. However the glitter of a sword has more whiteness than being luminous. For this reason Sayyidina Baraa (Radiallahu anhu) gave the similarity of the full moon, and not that of a sword. All these similarities are approximate descriptions, otherwise even a thousand moons cannot give the brightness of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).
An Arab poet says: "If you want to describe a shortcoming of a beloved, then give the beloved a similitude of a full moon. This is enough to insult him."
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(11) HADITH NUMBER 11
Abu Hurayrah (Radiallahu anhu) says: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was so clean, clear, beautiful and handsome, as though his body was covered and moulded in silver. His hair was slightly curled."

COMMENTARY
In the first narration mentioned by Sayyidina Anas (Radiallahu anhu), it is denied that Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was very white. From the above hadith, it does not mean that he had white complexion like silver; rather he had a white and reddish complexion, in which the beauty and brightness was overwhelming.
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(12) HADITH NUMBER 12
Jaabir bin Abdullah (Radiallahu anhu) narrates from Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) that he said: "The Ambiyaa (Prophets) were shown to me. I saw Musa (Alaihis salaam), he had a thin body, like one from among the tribe of Shanu'ah. I saw Esa (Alaihis salaam). From among all those whom I have seen, he somewhat resembled Urwah bin Masud. I saw Ebrahim (Alaihis salaam). From among all those that I have seen,I, more or less, look like him. In the same manner I saw Jibra-eel (Alaihis salaam). From among all those I had seen, he more or less looked like Dihyah Kalbi."

COMMENTARY
This was on the night of mi'raaj or in a dream. Imaam Bukhaari (Rahmatullahi alaihe) has narrated both, on the night of mi'raaj and also in a dream. There is no confusion or difficulty in these differences, because he may have seen them on both occasions. The translation of the description of Sayyidina Musa (Alaihis salaam) as having a light body, in my opinion, is made from more accurate sayings. Some Ulama in the translation of this sentence, have expressed other opinions. These three Ambiyaa (Prophets) were described because Sayyidina Musa (Alaihis salaam) and Sayyidina Esa (Alaihis salaam) are the nabis of the Bani Israel and Sayyidina Ebrahim (Alaihis salaam), besides being the great grandfather of Sayyidina Rsulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), was also accepted by all Arabs.
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(13) HADITH NUMBER 13
Sa'eed Jariri (Radiallahu anhu) says: "I heard Abu Tufayl (Radiallahu anhu) say: "There is no one left on the face of this Earth, besides me who had seen Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)." I asked him to describe to me the noble features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). He said: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had a white complexion, which was slightly reddish, and had a medium sized body."

COMMENTARY
Sayyidina Abu Tufayl (Radiallahu anhu) was the last one among the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) to pass away. He died in the year 110 Hijri. That is why he said, that there was no one left besides him who had seen Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The ulama say that he used the phrase `face of the earth' because Sayyidina Esa (Alaihis salaam) is also from the ones who had seen Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), and is present in the skies (heavens).
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(14) HADITH NUMBER 14
Ibn Abbas (Radiallahu anhu) says: "The front teeth of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were a bit wide (spread out). They were spaced out and not close together. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) talked, an illumination emitting from his teeth could be seen."

COMMENTARY.
According to the Ulama, it is a well known fact that it was something similar to nur which emitted from his teeth.
The opinions of Allaamah Munaawi is that it was something sensory, and not a similarity, which emitted miraculously from between the teeth of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).

With modesty lower the head and with grace, smile.
How easy it is for the beautiful to strike like lightning.

Everything of his noble features was perfect and beautiful. In the manner that is real and intrinsic beauty had reached its last stage, in the same manner his zaahiri (apparent) beauty had also reached its fullest and proper stage.

Allahumma sali 'alaa Sayyidina Muhammadiw wa 'alaa aalihi biqadri husnihi wa jamaalihi.



The Physical Description and Beauty of the Prophet

Ali (RA) described the noble features of the Prophet (may Allah peace and blessings be upon him): “Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) was neither assertively tall, nor reticently short, and he was an average-sized member of the population. His hair was neither crisply curled nor lank; it was loosely curled. He was neither plump nor chubby-cheeked, and in his face there was a rounded quality. He was white with a reddish tinge, dark black-eyed, with long eyelashes. He had splendid kneecaps, elbow joints and shoulder blades, free from hair. He had a strip of hair from the top of the chest to the navel. The palms of his hands and the soles of his feet were thickset. When he walked, he moved as if he were descending a declivity, and when he looked around, he looked around altogether. Between his shoulders was the Seal of Prophethood, for he is the Seal of the Prophets. He was the best of the people in generosity, the most truthful of the people in speech, the gentlest of them in temperament, and the noblest of them in social intercourse. If someone saw him unexpectedly, he was awestruck by him, and if someone associated with him knowingly, he loved him. His describer says: “I have never seen the like of him (Allah bless him and give him peace), neither before him nor after him.” (Shama'il Tirmidhi)

It is related from Jaabir (Radiallahu anhu) that he said: "I once saw Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alayhi Wasallam on the night of a full moon. On that night he wore red clothing. At times I looked at the full moon and at times at Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alayhi Wasallam. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alayhi Wasallam was more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon." (Shama'il Tirmidhi)



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

A text in which Ali (ra) describes the physical and moral beauty and the perfect behavior of the Prophet (saas), as well as the love and respect people feel for him.


"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



Your friend is only Allah and His Messenger and those who believe.
(Surat al-Ma'ida: 55)

He is Allah - there is no god but Him. He is the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible. He is the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful.
(Surat al-Hashr: 22)



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


Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah, If anyone turns away, we did not send you to them as their keeper.
(Surat an-Nisa: 80)




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 eyes 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




Take a charity from their wealth to purify and cleanse them and pray for them. Your prayers bring relief to them. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
(Surat at-Tawba: 103)



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
Another text in which Ali (ra) describes the Prophet's superior morality, his astonishing beauty and the perfection of his behavior.


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:
So believe in Allah and His Messenger and in the Light We have sent down. Allah is aware of what you do.
(Surat at-Taghabun: 8)


"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

The Prophet (saas)'s hair

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


Know that the Messenger of Allah is among you. If he were to obey you in many things, you would suffer for it. However, Allah has given you love of faith and made it pleasing to your hearts, and has made disbelief, deviance and disobedience hateful to you. People such as these are rightly guided.
(Surat al-Hujurat: 7)


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

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:

"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 Prophet (saas) would immediately warn any of his companions who were unkempt or failed to care for their appearance. One story on the subject is from 'Ata 'ibn Yassar (ra):

"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

Umm Salama (ra) reports that:

"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
The seal of the Prophet (saas) is available in the Topkapi Palace.


Anas bin Malik (ra) says:

"Rasulullah (saas) had a ring made of silver and its (inlaid) gem was also of silver."108

When the Prophet (saas) wanted to write to the leaders of foreign states, he ordered a seal-ring to be made.

"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
(Left) Painting called Lilium Auratum. 1871. (Right) The City of Fayoum by Gérome


The Prophet (saas)'s manner of sitting

Qaylah bint Makhramah (ra) reports:

"I saw Rasulullah (saas) in the masjid (in a very humble posture) sitting. Due to his awe-inspiring personality, I began shivering."114

Jaabir bin Samurah (ra) says:

"I observed Rasulullah (saas) lean on a pillow, which was on his left side."115



Who could do greater wrong than someone who invents a lie against Allah
when he has been called to Islam?
Allah does not guide wrongdoing people. (Surat as-Saff: 7)

The Prophet (saas)'s way of speaking

The Prophet (saas) was a man known for his effective, wise and concise manner of speaking. His messages had a great effect on people, and everyone took great pleasure in talking with him. A number of accounts that have come down from his companions also confirm that fact. These are some of them:


"The Prophet (saas) was the greatest of the Arabs in oratory and beauty of speech. He said: 'I am the greatest orator among the Arabs'."116
The Mosque of Sultan Hassan (right) by David Roberts.


Aisha (ra) describes the Prophet (saas)'s way of speaking thus:

"The speech of Rasulullah (saas) was not quick and continuous as that of yours. He spoke clearly, word by word."117

"They said: 'The Messenger of Allah used to talk little and every thing was expressed in this brief talk. In his speech, there was no defect of excess or brevity. The words came one after another like pearls. Whoever heard them remembered them. He was the sweetest in talk among his companions. He used to keep silent for long and not talk without necessity. He used not to talk evil words and what he talked was just."118

"He did not use ornamental words...."119

"... His companions did never dispute before him."120

"He used to smile much before his companions..."121




Aisha (ra) again says:

"He spoke in such a way that the words were spaced out so that those who sat with him remembered them."122

Abdullah bin Haarith (ra) reports that:

"I have not seen anyone who makes a person more cheerful than Rasulullah (saas)."123

Anas bin Malik (ra) tells us the following:

"Rasulullah (saas) used to mingle with us and joke."124

The Prophet (saas)'s pleasing scent

The Prophet (saas) attached great importance to cleanliness. He always smelt very fresh, clean and pleasant, and recommended that Muslims do the same. Accounts that have reached us from his companions give further details of this aspect of the Prophet (saas):

Jaabir bin Samura (ra) states:

"Whenever the Holy Prophet tread on any path, when someone passed by later, that they could recognize that the prophet had passed by there because they could smell the fragrance of his body."125

From Anas bin Malik (ra):

"I never felt a silk cloth, nor pure silk, nor any other thing softer than the palm of Rasulullah (saas). Nor did I smell any musk or any other fragrance, more sweet smelling than the fragrance of Rasullullah (saas)."126

Anas bin Malik (r.a) reports:

"I never smelt ambergris or musk as fragrant as the fragrance of the body of Allah's Messenger (saas) and I never touched brocade or silk and found it as soft as the body of Allah's Messenger (saas)."127

In Qisas al-Anbiya, the Prophet (saas) was described in this way:

"His body was clean and his scent beautiful. Whether or not he had used scent, his skin always had a lovely scent to it. If someone shook hands or conversed with him, or showed his friendship or affection, he would smell that clean scent all day, and if he laid that sacred hand on a child's head, that child could be distinguished from other children by that clean scent."128




The Prophet (saas)'s favorite foods

"He used not to take any hot food."129

"Meat was his most favorite curry."130

"The Holy Prophet (saas), amongst all other foods, liked pumpkin."131

"He used to eat the meat of hunted birds."132


... they will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say, 'This is what we were given before.' But they were only given a simulation of it.
(Surat al-Baqara: 25)



"He liked dried dates among dates."133


Aisha (ra) had this to say about the food the Prophet (saas) enjoyed:

"Rasulullah (saas) loved halva and honey."134

"Among foods, he liked mutton, broth, pumpkins, sweet things, honey, dates, milk, cream, melons, grapes and cucumbers. He also liked cold water."135

She adds:

"Rasulullah (saas) ate watermelon with fresh dates."136
Garden, by Pieter Gysels (1621-1690)


"He never condemned the food. He used to eat what he liked and did not eat what he did not like."137

"Rasulullah (saas) loved the meat of the forequarter."138

These are some of the things the Prophet (saas) said about certain foods:

"What a nice curry vinegar is."139

"The Prophet (saas) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes, it also arrests paralysis."140

"Illnesses are cured by means of three things: (one of them) is a drink of honey."141

"Use olive oil as a food and ointment for it comes from a blessed tree."142
Still-life painting by Ibrahim Safi.




What the Prophet (saas) liked to drink

Aisha tells us that:

"The drink most liked by Rasulullah (saas) was that which was sweet and cold."143

"Nabeez was prepared from dried grapes for the Prophet (saas) and dates were, also, put in it, or it was prepared from dried dates, and grapes, too, were put in it. "144

"The best of drinks to the Messenger of Allah was sweet cold drink."145

"The Holy Prophet (saas) said; besides milk there is nothing else that serves the purpose of both milk and water."146

This is what the Prophet (saas) had to say about milk:

"When one of you eats food, he should say: 'O Allah, bless us in it, and give us food (or nourishment) better than it.' When he is given milk to drink he should say: 'O Allah! Bless us in it and give us more of it, for no food or drink satisfies like milk'."147

What the Prophet (saas) said about water

The Prophet (saas) took great care to distribute water, particularly on journeys. On one particular journey, for instance, he stopped somewhere and asked for water from those around him. After washing his hands and face, he drank from the water, and told his companions; "pour some of its water on your faces and chests."148

After drinking water, he prayed:

"All praise is due to Allah Who has made it delicious and sweet by His grace and has not made it either salty or unsavory."149

On another occasion, the Prophet (saas) said:

"Water was created pure and nothing makes it impure except that which changes its color, taste and smell."150

Some of the Prophet (saas)'s finer traits

Imam Ghazzali, known as "Hujjatul Islam," collected and set out some of the Prophet (saas)'s traits as related by such great Islamic scholars as Tirmidhi, Tabarani, Muslim, Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Ibn Maja:


What is the Garden promised to those who have done their duty like? It has rivers flowing under it and its foodstuffs and cool shade never fail. That is the final fate of those who have done their duty. But the final fate of the disbelievers is the Fire.
(Surat ar-Ra'd: 35)



"The Holy Prophet (saas) was the most patient among men, the bravest, the best judge, and he who pardoned most. ... he was the most charitable man. He did not pass a single night hoarding a single dirham or dinar. Whenever any excess money came to him and if he did not then get anyone to accept it as charity, he did not return home till he gave it to the poor and the needy. He did not store up for more than a year the provision of his family members which Allah was pleased to give him. He used to take one fifth of what easily came to him out of dates and wheat. What remained in excess, he used to give in charity. He used to give away in charity to him who begged of him of anything, even out of his stored up provision.

He did not take any revenge for personal wrongs but he used take it for preservation of the honor of Allah.

He used to speak the truth even though it was sometimes a cause of trouble to himself and his companions.

He was the most modest, without pride, and his tongue was most eloquent without prolongation of speech. His constitution was the most beatiful. No worldly duties could keep him busy.

He used to go even to a distant place to see the sick, loved scents and hated a stench or bad smell, sat with the poor and the destitute, ate with them, honored those possessing honor, advised them to do good and show kindness to relatives. He did not treat harshly to anybody and accepted excuses offered to him.

He accepted sports and pastimes as lawful, played with his wives and held races with them.... He did not hate the poor for their poverty nor fear the kings for their mighty power. He used to call the people, high or low towards Allah. Allah adorned him with all the qualities and good administration

At the time when the Quran was being revealed to him, he used to smile most. When something happened, he entrusted it to Allah, kept himself free from his own strength and ability and said in invocation: 'O Allah, show me truth in a true manner or give me grace to give it up. You guide to the straight path whomsoever You will.'

Allah revealed the Quran to him and through it He taught him good manners." 151



For this We sent a Messenger to you from among you to recite Our Signs to you and purify you and teach you the Book and Wisdom and teach you things you did not know before.
(Surat al-Baqara: 151)




Hind bin Abi Haalah described prophet Muhammad saying, "He had great qualities and attributes in him, others also held him in high estemm. 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 head was moderately large.

His 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. Occasionally he used to part his hair in the middle with a comb etc. When the hair of the prophet was abundant, it used to pass over his ear- lobes)

His had a very luminous complexion color with pinky cheeks and lips,

He had a wide forehead.

He had dense and fine hair on his eye brows. Both eye brows were seperate and did not meet each other in the middle. There was a vein between them that used to expand when he became angry.

His nose was prominent and had a luster on it. When one first looked at him, it seemed as if he had a large nose, but looking at it carefully showed that the luster and beauty made it look large, otherwise in itself the nose was not large.

His beard was full and dense.

The pupil of his eye was black.

His cheeks were full and full of flesh.

His mouth was moderately wide.

His teeth were thin and bright. The front teeth had a slight space between them.

There was a thin line of hair from the chest to the navel.

His neck was beautiful and thin, like the neck of a statue shaved clean, the colour of which was clear, shining and beautiful like silver.

All the parts of his body were of moderate size, and fully fleshed.

His body was proportionately jointed.

His chest and stomach were in line, but his chest was broad and wide.

The space between his shoulders was wide.

The bones of his joints were strong and large (denoting strength).

Between the chest and navel there was a thin line of hair. Besides this line neither the chest nor the stomach had other hair on it. Both sides, the shoulders and the upper portion of the chest had hair.

His forearm was long and palms were wide and fleshed.

His both feet were fully fleshed.

The fingers and toes were moderately long.

The soles of his feet were a bit deep.

His feet were smooth, because of their cleanliness and smoothness the water did not remain there but flowed away quickly. When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigor, leaned slightly forward and placed his feet softly on the ground.

He walked at a quick pace and took rather a 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 sight was focused more to the ground than towards the sky. His modest habit was to look at something with a light eye, i.e. he looked at a thing, with modesty and bashfulness, hence he did not stare at anything.

While walking he asked his companions to walk in front, and he himself walked behind. He greeted whomsoever he met."




THE PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OF THE PROPHET

Face:
“His face shone like the moon.” - (Hind bin Abi Hala)
“His face was round like the moon.” – (Bara bin Azib)
“His face was not quite round but inclined to roundness.” – (Hazrat Ali(R.A))
“Broad forehead, slanting thick brows parted in the middle. A vein protruded between the two parts which became more prominent in anger.” (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Color:
“Neither white like lime, nor tanned, but brown with whiteness predominant.” – (Hazrath Anas(R.A))
“White, reddish.” – (Hazrath Ali(R.A))
“White but wholesome.” – (Abu Tufail)
“White and bright.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Eyes:
“Black, with long eyelashes.” (Hazrath Ali)
“Black and drooping. Habit of looking from the corner of the eyes in shyness.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)
“Red lines in the white parts, wide sockets, and natural grey corners.” – (Jabir bin Samra)

Nose:
“Somewhat high with unique brightness whereby it looked large at first sight.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Cheeks:
“Even and soft, a bit of flesh drooping at the lower end.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Mouth:
“Wide.” – (Jabir bin Samra)
“Moderately wide.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Teeth:
“Thin and bright, symmetrical, openings in front teeth.” – (Hazrath Ibn Abbas)
“When talking a light seemed to sparkle from the teeth.” – (Hazrath Anas)
Beard:
“Full and thick.” - (Hind bin Abi Hala)
Neck:
“Thin and long, beautifully chiselled like a statue Colour of the neck white like silver and handsome.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Head:
“Large but symmetrical.”- (Hind bin Abi Hala)

Hair:
“Neither quite straight, nor sheep like.” – (Qatada)
“Slightly curly.” – (Hazrath Anas)
“Thick, sometimes touching ear lobes and sometimes reaching upto shoulders.”- (Bara bin Azib)
“Parted in the middle.” - (Hind bin Abi Hala)
“The body did not have much hair. A line of hair running from the chest to the navel.” – (Hazrath Ali and Hind bin Abi Hala)
“There were some hair on shoulders, arms and upper chest.” (Hind bin Abi Hala)

General Structure:
“Body well built, bones joining limbs large and strong.”- (Hind bin Abi Hala)
“Body was not fat.” (Hazrath Ali)
“Neither tall nor short, small but middle-sized.” – (Hazrath Anas)
“Inclined to be tall. Among the people he appeared to rise higher than others.” – (Bara bin Azib)
“The abdomen was not protruding.” – (Umme-e-Mabad)
“Despite has poor conditions and lack of proper food his body was stronger and more virile than those of better nourished persons.” – (Al-Mawahib)
“I have not seen a braver and stronger man than the Prophet.” – (Ibn Umar)

Shoulder and Chest:
“Chest broad and even with the abdomen.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala)
“Chest broad.” – (Bara bin Azib)
“Width between shoulders more than usual.” – (Hind bin Abi Hala and Bara bin Azib)
“Portion between shoulders fleshy.” – (Hazrath Ali)
Arms and Hands :“Wrists large, palms wide and fingers symmetrically large.” (Hind bin Abi Hala)
“I have not touched any thick or thin silk or anything else which was softer and fleshier than Prophet’s palms.” – (Hazrath Anas)

Calfs and Feet:
“Calfs were not fleshy but symmetrical.” – (Jabir bin Samra)
“Feet were fleshy, lower parts of feet little hollow and feet so smooth that they could not retain water.” – (Jabir bin Samra)
“Very little flesh on heels.” – (Jabir bin Samra)

The most graphic description of the Prophet was given by an old woman at whose house the Prophet stopped on his way from the cave of Thaur to Medina and her goats gave so much milk that the Prophet and his companions were fully satisfied and yet there was much left over.
When the old woman’s husband returned home and expressed his surprise, the woman gave the description of the Prophet as follows:
“Handsome features, bright face, likeable temperament, neither the abdomen protruding nor hair of the head fallen out, graceful, handsome, eyes black and large, hair long and thick, voice clear, long neck, bright black of the eye, natural grey corners, thin and drooping eyelashes, black and curly hair, silent with dignity inclined to cordiality, graceful and captivating at a distance and very sweet and most handsome from near, talk sweet and words clear, neither more nor less than necessary, all talk consistent, middle-sized, neither short so as to look insignificant nor tall to look unbecoming, a fresh twig of handsome plant, charming to look at and well- built. His companions are so devoted that they always surround him, quietly listen to what he says and promptly obey what he orders. Obeyed, liked, neither verbose nor cryptic.”




His companions described the beauty of the Prophet (s) in these terms:
“The Prophet (s) 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.


Anas bin Malik (ra) says:
The Messenger of Allah (SWT), was not excessively tall or short. He was not very pallid nor dark. He did not have curly hair or lank hair. Allah (SWT) commissioned him at the age of forty. He stayed in Mecca ten years and at Medina for ten years and Allah (SWT) the Mighty, the Majestic made him die when he was sixty. There were not twenty white hairs in his hair or beard, may Allah (SWT) bless him and grant him peace.

Anas bin Malik (ra) says:
“The Prophet (s) was neither tall nor short. He was handsome. His hair was neither delicate nor curly. He was neither very white, nor very brown.

Abu Huraira (ra) describes:
“The complexion of Rasulullah (s) was white with redness in it. The blessed eyes of Rasulullah (s) were extremely black. His eyelashes were long.

Umm Ma’bad (ra), who was known for her generosity, uprightness and courage, was visited by the Prophet (s) during the Prophet (s) migration from Mecca to Medina, but failed to recognize him. However, she described him to her husband, who recognized the Prophet (s) 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. (Shaykh Safi ur-Rahmân al-Mubarakpoori, The Prophet’s Attributes and Manners From “The Sealed Nectar”, Islam’s Youth Voice)

Abu Huraira (ra) reports:
“I did not see anyone more handsome than Rasulullah (s). 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.”

“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.” (Shamaa-il Tirmidhi, Islamic Book Service Publications, New Delhi, 2000, p. 118)

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 (s) 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.

“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.




Allah and the angels sends durood on the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) Oh you who believe you too send durood on the Prophet'
Al Quran 33:56

The message of Allah Ta'ala to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has come down to us in the form of the Holy Quran and the teachings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) have reached us in the form of the Ahadith. Let us see what both the Holy

Quran and Ahadith say about Durood Shareef (Salawat):
Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu salluna allan nabiyi. Ya Ayyuhal ladheena aamanu
sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema.

Almighty Allah says: "Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). O you who believe! Send Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation". (Surah al-Ahzab: 56)

In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Malaa'ikah (Angles) and the Muslims have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). So, Durood Shareef is actually "a Du'a in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)."

Hadhrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally). (Mishkaat)

Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Ma'sud (radi Allahu anhu) also narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, the closest to me from among the people will be those who have read the most amount of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi)

It is now evident that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is in perfect obedience to the Divine Command and in complete conformity with the teachings of Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) of Islam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)


What is Durood Sharif?

Divine blessings on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is one of the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen. This "Divine Blessings" is called Durood Shareef. When Almighty Allah sends Durood and Salaams upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), He is actually blessing him. When the Malaa'ikah and the Muslims send Durood and Salaams to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), they are actually showing

Almighty Allah their respect for the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Muslims hope that, through the blessings of the Durood and Salaams, Almighty Allah will forgive them of their sins and increase their status in this world and in the Hereafter. The Malaa'ikah hope that Almighty Allah will increase their status.

Durood is a sure means of Allah Ta'ala granting blessings, peace, prosperity and favours of great magnitude on one who recites Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The reciter of Durood Shareef receives all the benefits in this world and utmost gain in the next world with addition to the love of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

The invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is styled in Arabic as "Salawat", in Persian as "Durood", and in Urdu as "Salawat-o-Salaam".

The reciter of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realise by himself that it is the spontaneous outpouring of his heart before the Great Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) of Islam, whose love and attachment is needed to get all the present day problems solved and obtain mercy in the next world. The more Durood Shareef we recite, the greater the gain and benefit will be achieved in both the worlds.

Hadhrat Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin ibn Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that, "Those who claim to love and revere the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) should increase their recital of the Durood Shareef in patience and perseverance until, through the mercy of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), they have the opportunity of witnessing his blessed countenance".

The special and exclusive aspect of this prayer is that Durood Shareef is immediately accepted by Allah Ta'ala. No one can doubt its acceptance, as Durood Shareef is being recited by Allah Ta'ala too. Not only this, but He has revealed this secret in the Holy Quran by saying: Wara fa'na laka dhikrak - "Have I not exalted thy name." Muslims are indeed very fortunate . Allah Ta'ala chose for them Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and final for mankind.

The person chose to deliver this message in this specific form and extra-ordinary style of love and hope was the most beloved of Allah Ta'ala and became the Light of Divinity, to be shed upon the entire universe. This Light devastated all the domains of darkness and depression. By reciting Durood Shareef (Salawat) we invite Light and drive away all darkness from our inner soul. Our mind becomes soft and love saturated.

If there is softness in everything, it tends beauty to it. People become ugly owing to lack of this essential beauty of the inner part of the mind. This ugliness cannot be glossed over by any amount of cosmetics. It is the Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which works wonders.

In the same manner, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) taught us Durood Shareef to attain salvation, perfect peace and maximum gain in this world as well as the next. The soul is the soil where the faith of Allah is to be implanted firmly and faithfully which requires continuous recitation of Durood Shareef to thrive and flourish. We have been told by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that Durood Shareef is itself Light and when Light enters the soul every aspiration is achieved and every goal is won. Nothing remains thereafter to worry about.


Human spirit today is depressed everywhere and mankind has come to the edge of destruction, decay and devastation. Everyone is engulfed in untold miseries and tragedies of a very great magnitude. Troubles and tortures, pain, poverty, hunger, ill-health, frustrations and accidents have broken the back of the human society. All this can evaporate with the recitation of Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who has clearly proclaimed that Durood Shareef is the panacea of all ills and that if any one comes across a calamity he should recite Durood Shareef in the maximum number.

Allah Ta'ala has promised that if anyone recites Durood only once, He showers ten blessings on the reciter immediately. It is narrated that once Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) walked a very long distance in the desert during summer at noon. He lost his consciousness due to thirst and hunger. After a while, when he regained his consciousness, Allah Ta'ala sent Hadhrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to go and inquire from Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) if he was thirsty or not. Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) replied that he was thirsty.

Allah Ta'ala told him that the thirst on the Day of Judgement will be a million times more than what Hadhrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) experienced. Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) was told that if he wished to get rid of that thirst on the hottest Day of Judgement, he would have to do one thing. When Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) enquired as to what should be done, Allah Ta'ala told him that he should recite Durood Shareef in abundance on His last Prophet, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) thanked Allah Ta'ala and immediately began reciting Durood Shareef on the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

From the above fact it is quite clear that Allah Ta'ala has given orders even to his Ambiya to recite Salawat on the last and final Prophet of Islam, and that Durood Shareef is not only panacea and a solution to the ills of this world but in the next too.

In another story, it is narrated that when Hadhrat Adam (alaihis salaam) saw Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) he wanted to be close to her, but Allah Ta'ala sent Hadhrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to stop him. Allah Ta'ala told him that if he wanted to take Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) as his wife, he should first pay Mahr (dowry). On his inquiry as to what the Mahr was, Allah Ta'ala told Hadhrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to inform him that the best way of paying the dowry is for him to recite Durood Shareef 3 times on His last Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Adam (alaihis salaam) did so, Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) was granted to him as his legal and legitimate wife.

The highest blessing that Islam has conferred on man is the concept of Tauheed or Unity of Allah in its purest form. This has been furnished to mankind through Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the last of the Prophets. It is a cardinal duty of every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain the highest respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his family. It should be clear that obedience to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is always to be charged with intense love and highest regard for him, for it is through love and esteem that truth can be comprehended and communion with the Creator can be vouch-safed. In fact, love is the motive force, reverence dissolves and implicit obedience to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which is the natural outcome.

It is therefore incumbent on those who love him, to pray to Allah Ta'ala and His Angels in wishing for him peace according to the Divine Command. This will reshape the life that is otherwise infested with turmoil. The reciter will get countless and matchless benefits in both the Worlds and can claim to be the lover of Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

As Muslims we should recite Durood Shareef in the Arabic language. Islam seeks to create a unified outlook and it is in the Arabic language alone that welds all Muslims into one great brotherhood. Besides, Arabic is the language of Heaven, it is the language of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), it is the language of the Angels and it is the language of Hadhrat Abu-Bakr, Hadhrat Umar, Hadhrat Uthman and Hadhrat Ali (radi Allahu anhuma).

The daily recitation of Durood Shareef has a tremendous effect on the human head, heart, mind and person. It purifies thoughts and intensifies actions. It makes passages for perfect peace and personal satisfaction.





xcellence
of
Duroods


Allah and the angels sends durood on the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) Oh you who believe you too send durood on the Prophet'
Al Quran 33:56


The message of Allah Ta'ala to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has come down to us in the form of the Holy Quran and the teachings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) have reached us in the form of the Ahadith. Let us see what both the Holy Quran and Ahadith say about Durood Shareef (Salawat):
Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu salluna allan nabiyi. Ya Ayyuhal ladheena aamanu
sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema.
Almighty Allah says: "Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). O you who believe! Send Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation". (Surah al-Ahzab: 56)
In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Malaa'ikah (Angles) and the Muslims have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). So, Durood Shareef is actually "a Du'a in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)."

Hadhrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally). (Mishkaat)
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Ma'sud (radi Allahu anhu) also narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, the closest to me from among the people will be those who have read the most amount of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi)

It is now evident that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is in perfect obedience to the Divine Command and in complete conformity with the teachings of Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) of Islam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)




The one who recites this Durood Sharif once, will receive the reward (sawab) of reciting
600,000 durood sharifs.
(Click image to enlarge)


WHAT IS DUROOD SHAREEF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF
Divine blessings on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is one of the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen. This "Divine Blessings" is called Durood Shareef. When Almighty Allah sends Durood and Salaams upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), He is actually blessing him. When the Malaa'ikah and the Muslims send Durood and Salaams to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), they are actually showing Almighty Allah their respect for the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Muslims hope that, through the blessings of the Durood and Salaams, Almighty Allah will forgive them of their sins and increase their status in this world and in the Hereafter. The Malaa'ikah hope that Almighty Allah will increase their status.

Durood is a sure means of Allah Ta'ala granting blessings, peace, prosperity and favours of great magnitude on one who recites Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The reciter of Durood Shareef receives all the benefits in this world and utmost gain in the next world with addition to the love of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
The invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is styled in Arabic as "Salawat", in Persian as "Durood", and in Urdu as "Salawat-o-Salaam".

The reciter of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realise by himself that it is the spontaneous outpouring of his heart before the Great Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) of Islam, whose love and attachment is needed to get all the present day problems solved and obtain mercy in the next world. The more Durood Shareef we recite, the greater the gain and benefit will be achieved in both the worlds.

Hadhrat Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin ibn Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that, "Those who claim to love and revere the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) should increase their recital of the Durood Shareef in patience and perseverance until, through the mercy of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), they have the opportunity of witnessing his blessed countenance".

The special and exclusive aspect of this prayer is that Durood Shareef is immediately accepted by Allah Ta'ala. No one can doubt its acceptance, as Durood Shareef is being recited by Allah Ta'ala too. Not only this, but He has revealed this secret in the Holy Quran by saying: Wara fa'na laka dhikrak - "Have I not exalted thy name." Muslims are indeed very fortunate . Allah Ta'ala chose for them Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and final for mankind. The person chose to deliver this message in this specific form and extra-ordinary style of love and hope was the most beloved of Allah Ta'ala and became the Light of Divinity, to be shed upon the entire universe. This Light devastated all the domains of darkness and depression. By reciting Durood Shareef (Salawat) we invite Light and drive away all darkness from our inner soul. Our mind becomes soft and love saturated. If there is softness in everything, it tends beauty to it. People become ugly owing to lack of this essential beauty of the inner part of the mind. This ugliness cannot be glossed over by any amount of cosmetics. It is the Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which works wonders.

In the same manner, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) taught us Durood Shareef to attain salvation, perfect peace and maximum gain in this world as well as the next. The soul is the soil where the faith of Allah is to be implanted firmly and faithfully which requires continuous recitation of Durood Shareef to thrive and flourish. We have been told by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that Durood Shareef is itself Light and when Light enters the soul every aspiration is achieved and every goal is won. Nothing remains thereafter to worry about.

The one who recites this Durood Sharif once, will have his sins forgiven equivalent to 80 years
(Click image to enlarge)


Human spirit today is depressed everywhere and mankind has come to the edge of destruction, decay and devastation. Everyone is engulfed in untold miseries and tragedies of a very great magnitude. Troubles and tortures, pain, poverty, hunger, ill-health, frustrations and accidents have broken the back of the human society. All this can evaporate with the recitation of Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who has clearly proclaimed that Durood Shareef is the panacea of all ills and that if any one comes across a calamity he should recite Durood Shareef in the maximum number.
Allah Ta'ala has promised that if anyone recites Durood only once, He showers ten blessings on the reciter immediately. It is narrated that once Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) walked a very long distance in the desert during summer at noon. He lost his consciousness due to thirst and hunger. After a while, when he regained his consciousness, Allah Ta'ala sent Hadhrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to go and inquire from Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) if he was thirsty or not. Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) replied that he was thirsty. Allah Ta'ala told him that the thirst on the Day of Judgement will be a million times more than what Hadhrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) experienced. Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) was told that if he wished to get rid of that thirst on the hottest Day of Judgement, he would have to do one thing. When Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) enquired as to what should be done, Allah Ta'ala told him that he should recite Durood Shareef in abundance on His last Prophet, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Musa (alaihis salaam) thanked Allah Ta'ala and immediately began reciting Durood Shareef on the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
From the above fact it is quite clear that Allah Ta'ala has given orders even to his Ambiya to recite Salawat on the last and final Prophet of Islam, and that Durood Shareef is not only panacea and a solution to the ills of this world but in the next too.
In another story, it is narrated that when Hadhrat Adam (alaihis salaam) saw Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) he wanted to be close to her, but Allah Ta'ala sent Hadhrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to stop him. Allah Ta'ala told him that if he wanted to take Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) as his wife, he should first pay Mahr (dowry). On his inquiry as to what the Mahr was, Allah Ta'ala told Hadhrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to inform him that the best way of paying the dowry is for him to recite Durood Shareef 3 times on His last Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Adam (alaihis salaam) did so, Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) was granted to him as his legal and legitimate wife.
The highest blessing that Islam has conferred on man is the concept of Tauheed or Unity of Allah in its purest form. This has been furnished to mankind through Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the last of the Prophets. It is a cardinal duty of every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain the highest respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his family. It should be clear that obedience to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is always to be charged with intense love and highest regard for him, for it is through love and esteem that truth can be comprehended and communion with the Creator can be vouch-safed. In fact, love is the motive force, reverence dissolves and implicit obedience to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which is the natural outcome. It is therefore incumbent on those who love him, to pray to Allah Ta'ala and His Angels in wishing for him peace according to the Divine Command. This will reshape the life that is otherwise infested with turmoil. The reciter will get countless and matchless benefits in both the Worlds and can claim to be the lover of Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
As Muslims we should recite Durood Shareef in the Arabic language. Islam seeks to create a unified outlook and it is in the Arabic language alone that welds all Muslims into one great brotherhood. Besides, Arabic is the language of Heaven, it is the language of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), it is the language of the Angels and it is the language of Hadhrat Abu-Bakr, Hadhrat Umar, Hadhrat Uthman and Hadhrat Ali (radi Allahu anhuma). The daily recitation of Durood Shareef has a tremendous effect on the human head, heart, mind and person. It purifies thoughts and intensifies actions. It makes passages for perfect peace and personal satisfaction.