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His Appearance
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The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) was known for his extraordinary physical beauty and equally remarkable character. Qatādah said that every Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) sent by Allah (SWT) had a beautiful face and voice, and this was especially true for Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him). His companions could not find anything as beautiful as him, either before or after Islam. Unlike others who might have a beautiful appearance but poor character, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him)’s internal character was even more beautiful than his physical appearance.
One of his companions, ʿAbdullāh ibn Rawāḥah, described the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) ’s presence as divine, stating that even without speaking, his presence alone conveyed a divine beauty. This physical and spiritual beauty often led people to embrace Islam just by looking at him. An example is ʿAbdullāh ibn Salām, a head rabbi in Madinah, who recognised the truthfulness of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) just by seeing his face.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him)’s beauty is detailed in many Islamic texts. He was described as more beautiful than the full moon, which is a significant compliment considering the awe-inspiring sight of the moon in the desert. Anas ibn Mālik compared the moon to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him)’s face and concluded that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) ’s face was more radiant.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him)’s physical characteristics were perfectly balanced. He was of medium height, with bright skin that was neither too light nor too dark. His face was not too round nor too narrow. His eyes had a perfect contrast with the white sclera and black pupils, making them appear as if always adorned with antimony (kuḥl). His eyelashes were long, his eyebrows thick and slightly separated, and his forehead prominent with a vein visible when he was upset. His nose had a shining light, and his teeth were white and perfectly aligned, maintained by frequent use of the tooth-stick (siwāk).
His hair was wavy and varied in length but was often shoulder-length. He also had a thick beard, mostly black, with only a few grey hairs found upon his death at the age of 63. His neck was long and elegant, his shoulders and chest broad and strong. His limbs were large and well-defined, smoother than silk, and his body exuded a natural pleasant scent.
His companions described him as having a perfectly set body as if moulded in silver. He always had a smile, even when he was grieving or deep in thought. Smiling was an act of charity for him, and he did so to bring joy to his followers. Despite his constant smile, he often wept and prayed for his ummah (community), demonstrating his deep love and concern for them.
This description shows that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) was not only physically beautiful but also had great spiritual and moral qualities. His presence was impressive, and his character demonstrated his role as a Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) sent by Allah (SWT).
