and that he would be the first to greet whoever met him with the salutation of peace. He further said, “long in silence” instead of “silent,” and, “he was neither a connoisseur of food nor one to eulogise it” in place of “he would not disparage a dish nor praise it,” along with other expressions that convey the same sense.
His word mutamāsik (well-built) means that his body was full and firm, neither slack nor flabby. Al-mutajarrid (one who has laid his garment aside) means bare-chested. Al-labba is the upper chest and throat. Al-sāʾir or al-sāʾil denotes something long and flowing. Al-akhmaṣ is the part of the sole that touches the ground, while al-mamsūḥ (smooth) describes a surface free of cracks, dirt, or roughness, so that water slides off it when it is struck.
The phrase zāla qalʿan means that he lifted his feet forcefully from the ground, unlike a person who swaggers and drags his sandals along the earth. Another reading is zāla qaʿlan, which conveys steadiness. Al-dharīʿ means swift.
“He would drive his companions”—that is, he let them walk ahead of him. Al-jāfī means haughty, al-muhīn lowly, and al-dhawq food itself. Ashāḥa means he shunned and turned away from something. Habb al-ghamām refers to hail; al-shakl to a form, style, or school; and al-ʿatād to whatever is prepared for a purpose, such as weapons and the like.
The statement, “lā tuʾabban fīhi al-ḥurum” means that what is inviolable was never maligned in his presence. “Nor were his slips broadcast”—that is, his gatherings contained no lapses that were spread about. Al-nathā in speech may be good or bad.
It has already been mentioned in the report of the Night Journey that he said: “I saw Abraham standing in prayer, and the one of mankind who most resembles him is your companion”—meaning himself—may Allah bless them both and grant them peace.
Isrāʾīl also related from Simāk, from ʿIkrima, from Ibn ʿAbbās, that Quraysh once went to a soothsayer and said, “Tell us who among us most closely resembles the master of this station.” She replied, “If you drag a cloak over this level ground and then walk upon it, I will inform you.” They did so, and when she observed the footprint of Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—she said, “This man is the closest of you in resemblance to him.” They remained thereafter