Prophet Muhammad Detailed Description: How did he look like

The one who delves into the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, before and after his mission, finds his faith and love for the Prophet, peace be upon him, increasing until he loves him more than himself, whether he was a disbeliever who embraced Islam or turned away, while being certain that he is the messenger of the Lord of the Worlds.

And if those who came after the companions missed seeing the Prophet and beholding him – peace and blessings be upon him – the companions described his character and manners as if we were seeing him with our own eyes – peace and blessings be upon him – so that we may emulate his morals to the best of our abilities.

Regarding the description of the Prophet, peace be upon him, by Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib, he said: “He was neither excessively tall nor short, neither very curly-haired nor completely straight-haired. He was of moderate build among his people, neither obese nor thin. He had a round face, white with a tinge of redness, his eyes were dark and outlined with long eyelashes, his eyebrows were well-defined, and his joints were large. Whoever saw him suddenly would be awed by him, and whoever accompanied him would love him. No one before or after him was seen like him.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhi]

Anas reported: “The Prophet, peace be upon him, was the best among people, the bravest among them, and the most generous among them.” [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Al-Hasan ibn Ali said: “I asked my uncle Hind ibn Abi Hala – who was articulate – about the description of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. He said: ‘The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was dignified and awe-inspiring. His face shone like the full moon on a moonlit night. He was taller than average but shorter than very tall. His hair was neither very curly nor completely straight. He had a broad forehead, thick eyebrows, a thin line of hair between them, and a vein on his forehead that would swell when he was angry.

His nose was aquiline with a radiant glow, as if one who did not know him might think it was a finely crafted piece of silver. His beard was dense, his cheeks were smooth, his mouth was wide, indicating eloquence. His teeth were clear and spaced apart. His neck was long and slender like a silver jug handle.

He had a well-proportioned body, strong and compact, neither too fat nor too thin, with a broad chest and a space between his shoulders. His joints were large, his abdomen and chest were level, and he had well-developed muscles. His waist was slim, with hair flowing down to it, his chest and stomach were bare except for that.

His arms, shoulders, and upper chest were hairy, his forearms were long, his palms and soles were wide, and his fingers and toes were plump. His footsteps were steady, and when he walked, it was as if he descended from a height.

When he turned, he would turn his whole body, looking down more than up, most of his glances were directed downwards. He would lead with his companions and initiate greetings with them.'”

I asked: “Describe his speech for me.”

He said: “He was thoughtful and contemplative, always concerned, never at rest. He did not speak unnecessarily, and when he spoke, he started and ended with his lips. He spoke concisely, neither too much nor too little. He was well-mannered, neither harsh nor demeaning.

He appreciated blessings even if they were small, he did not rebuke a giver nor overly praise them. The world and what it contained did not anger him, nor did he desire it. When confronted with the truth, he did not know anyone, nothing would provoke his anger, and he did not get angry for himself or seek revenge. When he gestured, he gestured with his entire hand, and when he marveled, he turned his hand.

When he spoke, he would connect his fingers and tap his right thumb with his left palm. When he was angry or turned away, he would look down, and when he laughed, he would lower his gaze. Most of his laughter was smiling, and he refrained from excessive laughter.

These are the qualities that al-Husayn kept to himself for a while, then he told me about them. I found that he had already known about them before I asked, and he asked me about what I had asked him. I found out that he had asked his father about his entrance, his assembly, and his appearance, and he did not leave anything out.”

So, his practice with regard to the nation was to prioritize people of excellence with his permission and distribute them according to their status in religion. Among them were those in need, those in greater need, and those with various needs. He would engage with them in what would benefit and inform them of what was appropriate for them, saying, “Let the witness inform the absent,” and “Inform me of a need of someone who cannot express it to me; for whoever conveys a need to a ruler that the ruler cannot address, Allah will make his feet firm on the Day of Resurrection.”

He would not mention anything beyond this, nor would he accept from anyone else. They would enter as guests and not leave except after being fed, and they would leave with humility.”

He said: I asked him about his departure: How did he behave upon leaving? He said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would restrain his tongue except for what concerned them. He would unite them and not divide them. He would honor the noble of every people and appoint them over them, and he would warn people against every evil.”

He said: “He would warn people and guard against them without turning away from any of them for their wealth or character.

He would check on his companions and ask people about the conditions of others. He would enhance good behavior and correct it, and he would criticize bad behavior and weaken it. He was fair in all matters, not neglecting for fear of negligence or weariness. He was prepared for every situation, not deviating from what is right nor exceeding it. Those who associated with him, their best were his advisors, and the greatest among them with him was the best in support and assistance.”

So, I asked him about his gatherings, and he said: “He, peace be upon him, would neither sit nor stand except for a purpose. He would not frequent places and would discourage others from doing so. When he reached a group, he would sit where the gathering ended, and he would command this. He would give each of his companions a share until no one among them would think anyone was more generous to him than the Prophet, whether sitting or standing with him in a matter of need. He would patiently attend to their needs until they were satisfied, and whoever asked him a need, he would only respond to it or with a suitable suggestion.

He had broadened their horizons with his manners, and he became like a father to them, and they became equal to him in truth. His gathering was a gathering of patience, modesty, patience, and trustworthiness. Voices were not raised there, the sacred was not violated, and its prohibitions were not feared. They were equal and humble, honoring the elders and showing compassion to the young, prioritizing those in need and protecting strangers.”

He said: I said, “How was his demeanor in his gatherings?” He said: “He, peace be upon him, was always cheerful, easy-going, not harsh, gentle in demeanor, not rude or coarse, nor argumentative, vulgar, or reproachful. He would ignore what did not concern him, and he would not despair of anyone.

He would not disappoint a group, leaving himself from three things: disputes, excessive speech, and what did not concern him.

And he left people from three things: he would not blame or reproach anyone, nor seek their faults, nor speak except in what he hoped for reward. When he spoke, the listeners would be as if birds were perched on their heads, and when he fell silent, they would speak. They would not argue in his presence, and whoever spoke would be listened to until he finished.

Their conversation was orderly, and he would laugh with them, marveling at what they marveled at, enduring the stranger’s harshness in speech and questioning, even if his companions encouraged them to ask him. And he would say, ‘If you see someone in need, direct him.’

He would only accept praise from someone equal to him, and he would not interrupt anyone until they had finished, then he would interject with either a conclusion or a standing.”

He said: I said, “How was his silence?” He said: “His silence, peace be upon him, was on four occasions: patience, caution, judgment, and contemplation.

As for his judgment, it was in equalizing sight and hearing among people, and as for his contemplation – or he said, reflection – it was in what remains and perishes. Patience was collected in endurance, so nothing would provoke him or vex him. Caution was collected in four things: taking what is good for emulation, leaving what is ugly for avoidance, exerting effort in advising his community, and standing up for them in this world and the Hereafter.” [Narrated by al-Tabarani in “Al-Kabeer,” and some of its wording has supporting evidence in “Al-Sahihain” and “The Four Sunan.”]