The Prophet's Features and Character

The Prophet's physical appearance was described in detail by his Companions:

The Prophet's Face

The Prophet's face was fair, attractive and round. Whenever he was pleased, his face shone bright like the full moon, but it would turn crimson when he was angry.

Al-Bara' [Radhiallahu Anahu (RA) / may Allah be pleased with him] said: "When he was asked: "Was the Messenger's face sword-like?" "No," He said, "it was moon-like." But in another version: he said, "His face was round." Rabi' Bint Muawwidh (RA) said: "Had you seen him, you would have felt that the sun was shining." Jabir Ibn Samurah (RA) said, "I saw him on one night of the full moon. I looked at him. He was dressed in a reddish garment. I compared him with the moon and found that, - for - he was better than the moon." (Mishkat Al-Masabih 2: 518)

If sweat appeared on his face, the beads glistened like pearls, and the fragrance of his perspiration excelled the smell of musk.

The bridge of the Prophet's nose was high. His mouth was wide, and there were spaces between each of his teeth. His teeth were bright, appearing like tiny hailstones when he smiled and they sparked as he talked.

The Prophet's beard was black, thick and full, covering most of his chest. A few gray hair showed by his ear lobes and chin.

Head, Neck and Hair

The Prophet [Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam (SAWS) / ] had a large head on a long neck. His hair was slightly curly, and he wore it parted in the middle. Sometimes he kept his hair so long that it touched both shoulders, while at other times it fell just above or below his ear lobes. He had a few gray hairs above his forehead, but there were no more than twenty gray hairs on his head and beard together.

Limbs

The Prophet (SAWS) was big-boned with large elbow, shoulders, knees, and wrists. His palms and feet were wide. His arms were heavy and hairy, and his heels and calves were light. He had broad hirsute shoulders, but his chest was brad and hairless, with only a line of hair running from his chest to his navel.

Build and Stature

The Prophet (SAWS) was of a medium build, being neither fat nor thin. He had a straight body. Although he was not particularly tall, he rose above most men in height.

Fragrance

Several of the Prophet's Companions have mentioned a fragrance, sweeter than any perfume, emanating from the Prophet's body. Anas (RA) said, "I never smelt any musk or any other such perfume that was as sweet as the fragrance of the Prophet (SAWS)." Jabir (RA) said, "The Prophet's fragrance lingered after he left, and we could tell which path he had taken by sniffing the air."

If the Prophet (SAWS) happened to shake hands with anyone, the fragrance would remain with that person for the whole day. When he spread his hand over a child's head, others would discern his fragrance on the child. Umm Sulaim (RA) used to collect some of the Prophet's sweat in a small bottle and would mix it with perfume.

The Prophet's Gait

The Prophet (SAWS) was swift-footed and had a firm step. He would rise sharply and walk swiftly but smoothly, as if going down a slope. He would turn swiftly and gracefully. The Prophet (SAWS) never seemed to tire when he walked, and nobody could keep pace with him. Abu Hurairah (RA) said, "I have never seen anyone who walked as quickly as the Prophet (SAWS). It looked as if the earth rolled itself up for him when he walked. We would tire ourselves out walking with him, while he would move on with ease."

Voice and Speech

The Prophet's voice was slightly loud, his speech eloquent. He looked dignified in silence and attractive while speaking. He always spoke to the point, and his words were explicit and distinct. Quite naturally, he was a powerful orator.

He was well versed in Arabic and quite familiar with the dialects and accents of every tribe. He spoke with those who hosted him using their own accents and dialects. He mastered and was quite eloquent at both Bedouin dialect as well as the clarity and the splendor of the aesthetic speech of town. Above all, there was the assistance of Allah embodied in the revealed Verses of the Qur'an.

Character

The Prophet (SAWS) usually seemed cheerful, and he liked to smile. Even when others were rude to him, he was never harsh and rude, unlike everybody, the more he was hurt or injured, the more clement and patient he became. The more insolence and ignorance anybody exercised against him, the more enduring he became. He never raised his voice in the market place.

If faced with a choice between two options, the Prophet (SAWS) would always choose the easier one, provided that it did not lead to sin. Above everything else, he avoided sinning or anything leading to the disobedience of Allah. He never sought revenge for any offense committed against himself, but when the Honor of Allah was at stake, he would certainly punish the offender.

His courage, his support and his power were distinguished. He was the most courageous. He witnessed awkward and difficult times and stood fast during them. More than once brave men and daring ones fled away leaving him alone; yet he stood with full composure facing the enemy without turning his back. All brave men must have experienced fleeing once or have been driven off the battlefield at one time except the Prophet (SAWS). '

Ali (RA) said: "Whenever the fight grew fierce and the eyes of fighters went red, we used to turn for help to the Prophet (SAWS) for support. He was always the closest to the enemy." (Ash-Shifa)

Anas (RA) said: " the people of Al-Madinah felt alarmed. People went out hurriedly towards the source of the sound, but the Prophet (SAWS) had already gone ahead of them. He was on the horse of Abu Talhah which had no saddle over it, and a sword was slung round his neck, and said to them: 'There is nothing to be afraid of.'" (Al-Bukhari)

He was the most modest and the first one to cast his eyes down. Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA) said: "He was shier than a virgin in her bedroom. When he hated a thing we read it on his face." (Al-Bukhari)

He would not stare at anybody's face. He would always cast his eyes down. He looked at the ground more than he looked skywards. The most he would look at a person was a glance at him. Everybody willingly and modestly obeyed him. He would never name a person whom he had heard ill news about - which he hated. Instead he would say: "Why do certain people do such and such…"

He never rebuked his servant, nor was he ever heard saying something unkind about anyone. Visiting the poor, the needy and entertaining them were some of his habits. If a slave invited him, he would accept the invitation. He always sat among his friends as if he was just an ordinary person. 'Aishah (RA) said that he used to repair his shoes, sew or mend his clothes and to do what ordinary men did in their houses. After all, he was a human being like others. He used to check his clothing (in case it had some insects on it). Milking the ewe and catering for himself were some of his normal jobs. (Mishkat Al-Masabih)

Even before his appointment as Allah's Messenger, the Prophet (SAWS) was known as Al-Amin (the Trustworthy). He was the keenest and the most attentive of people's trust and was very careful to pay people's due in full. The Prophet (SAWS) was the most amenable and the most yielding companion, seeing him unexpectedly one feared him and venerated him. He who had acquaintance with him, liked him. He who describes him says: "I have never seen such a person neither before nor after seeing him." (Al-Bukhari)

From: Who is Allah and His Prophet