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The Outward Appearance of the Prophet (saas)
The preceding chapters of this book discussed examples of the Prophet
(saas)'s morality, as revealed in the Qur'an, and which is an example
to all of mankind. We have considered various aspects of his just, compassionate,
merciful, peaceful, conciliatory, mild, patient, Allah-fearing, modest
and determined disposition.
As well as verses from the Qur'an, statements from the Prophet (saas)'s
companions that have come down to us also contain a great deal of information
about the Prophet (saas). Many details, such as his relations with his
family and the believers around him, details of his daily life, his physical
appearance, the feelings of awe he inspired in those who saw him, the
food he enjoyed, his clothes and smile are all described by Islamic scholars
with the term "outward form" (shamail). The term comprises such ideas
as "character, temperament, behavior and attitudes." Even if the concept
of "shamail" originally had a broader meaning, it became more specific
over time and eventually became a term used to describe the details of
the kind of life the Prophet (saas) led and his personality traits.
Every detail of the character and manner of this chosen servant of Allah,
whom He favored over all beings, is at the same time a reflection of his
superior morality. The main intention for the composition of this chapter
on the outward form of the Prophet (saas) is to examine those of his features
that have been described in sources that have come down to us, and for
us to draw inspiration from them for our own lives.
The physical beauty of the Prophet (saas)
The companions of the Prophet (saas) have passed on a great many detail
about him, from the beauty of that blessed individual's external appearance,
his radiance and disposition that left those who beheld him in awe, to
his smile, and many other beautiful aspects that Allah had manifested
in him. There were a fair number of such companions, and they have given
many details of his great beauty. Those Muslims who lived at the same
time as the Prophet (saas) have described many aspects of the servant
of Allah. While some of those describe him in broad terms, others have
given long and detailed descriptions. Some of these accounts are as follows:
The Prophet (saas)'s external appearance and beauty
His companions described the beauty of the Prophet (saas) in these terms:
"The Prophet (saas) had a most handsome constitution.
Some gave the smile of his beauty to that of the full moon…His nose was
thin… His face was smooth…His beard was thick…His neck was the most beautiful…If
the rays of the sun fell on his neck, it appeared like a cup of silver
mixed with gold… The place between his shoulders was wide."67
Anas bin Malik (ra) says:
"The Messenger of Allah, was not excessively tall or
short. He was not very pallid nor dark. He did not have curly hair or
lank hair. Allah commissioned him at the age of forty. He stayed in Mecca
ten years and at Medina for ten years and Allah the Mighty, the Majestic
made him die when he was sixty. There were not twenty white hairs in his
hair or beard, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."68
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
Baraa bin Aazib (ra) relates:
"I never saw someone more handsome than Rasullullah.
His hair reached his shoulders. The portion between his two shoulders
was wide. He was neither very tall nor very short."71
Ibrahim b. Muhammed (ra), one of the grandsons of Ali (ra), informs us:
"When Ali (ra) described the Prophet (saas) he said:
'He was neither very tall nor excessively short, but
was a man of medium size. He had neither very curly nor flowing hair but
a mixture of both... He was reddish-white, he had wide black eyes and
long eyelashes. He had protruding joints and shoulder-blades… Between
his shoulders was the seal of prophecy... He had a finer chest than anyone
else, was truer in utterance than anyone else, had the gentlest nature
and the noblest lineage. Those who saw him stood suddenly in awe of him
and those who shared his acquaintance loved him. Those who described him
said they had never seen anyone like him before or since'."72
Hassan (ra) says:
"He had great qualities and attributes, others also held him in high
esteem. His blessed face shone like the full moon. He was slightly taller
than a man of middle height, but shorter than a tall person...His blessed
hair was slightly twisted. If his hair became parted naturally in the
middle he left it so, otherwise he did not habitually make an effort to
part his hair in the middle…Rasulullah (saas) had a very luminous complexion
(color), and a wide forehead. His eye brows were of dense and fine hair
…
... His neck was beautiful and thin, like the neck
of a statue shaved clean, the color of which was clear, shining and beautiful
like silver. All the parts of his body were of moderate size. His body
was proportionately jointed…"73
Abu Huraira (ra) describes:
"The complexion of Rasulullah (saas) was white with
redness in it. The blessed eyes of Rasulullah (saas) were extremely black.
His eyelashes were long."74
"His forehead was wide and the place between his eyebrows
was bright like pure silver and 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
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.
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The Prophet (saas)'s seal of Prophethood
Allah favored the Prophet Muhammad (saas) over all beings, and declared
him to be "the Final Seal of the Prophets." (Surat
al-Ahzab: 40) No prophet would be sent after him, and the Qur'an
would be the last revelation to guide people onto the true way. Allah
manifested that unique feature of the Prophet (saas) with a mark on his
body.
In Islamic sources and oral accounts, that sign between the Prophet (saas)'s
shoulder blades is known as "the seal of Prophethood." It is reported
by Wahb bin Munebbih (ra) that the other prophets also had similar marks,
but that that of the Prophet (saas) was different:
"Allah never sent down a prophet who did not have the
sign of prophethood on his right hand. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) was
the only exception to this. His sign of prophethood was (not on his right
hand) but between his shoulder blades. When asked about it, the Prophet
said, 'This mark between my shoulder blades is like the marks on the prophets
before me' …"78
Jaabir bin Samurah (ra) relates that:
"I saw the Seal of Prophethood of Rasullullah (saas)
between his two shoulders, the size of which was like that of a pigeon's
egg."79
Ibrahim bin Muhammad (ra), one of the grandchildren of Ali (ra), reports:
"Whenever Ali (ra) described the nobel features of Rasulullah (saas),
he used to say:
'The seal of Prophethood was situated between his shoulders.
He was a last of all prophets'."80 Abu Nadrah (ra) says:
"I asked Abu Sa'eed Khudari (ra) about the Seal of
Prophethood of Rasulullah (saas) He said: 'It was a piece of raised flesh
that was on Rasulullah (saas)'s back'."81
"The place between his shoulders were wide and therein
there was impression or seal of Prophethood inclined a little towards
the right shoulder."82
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) |
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
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
"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:
"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
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