1022 — Abū Muhammad Yahyā ibn Muhammad ibn Sā'id also narrated to us, saying: Abū Muhammad Sufyān ibn Wakī' ibn al-Jarrāh narrated to us, saying: Abū Ja'far Jamī' ibn Umayr ibn ⦗1509⦘ Abd al-Rahmān al-Ijlī narrated to us, dictating it to us from his book. He said: A man from the Banū Tamīm, descended from Abū Hāla—the husband of Khadīja’s sister—who was known by the honorific Abū Abd Allāh, narrated to me from one of Abū Hāla’s sons, from al-Hasan ibn Alī, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said:
I asked my maternal uncle, Hind ibn Abī Hāla, who was skilled at describing people, about the appearance of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. I wished him to describe something of it to which I could hold fast. He said:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was stately—truly stately. His face shone like the full moon. He was taller than a man of medium stature, yet shorter than one who was conspicuously tall. He had a large head and slightly wavy hair. If his hair parted naturally, he wore it parted; otherwise, when it was full, it did not extend beyond his earlobes. His complexion was luminous, his forehead broad, and his eyebrows long, arched, and full without being joined. Between them was a vein that swelled when he became angry. He had a high, finely arched nose over which there was a radiance, so that anyone who did not examine him closely might think it more prominent than it was. His beard was thick, his cheeks smooth, his mouth broad, his teeth bright and slightly spaced, and he had a fine line of hair running down his torso. ⦗1510⦘ His neck was like the neck of a statue in the purity of silver. His build was well-proportioned; he was robust and firmly knit, with his abdomen level with his chest. He was broad-chested, wide between the shoulders, and large-jointed. The parts of his body uncovered by clothing were radiant. A line of hair joined the hollow at the base of his neck to his navel, while his chest and abdomen were otherwise free of hair. His forearms, shoulders, and upper chest were hairy. He had long forearms, broad palms, and substantial hands and feet. His extremities were long—the wording is either ‘extended’ or ‘flowing’; Sufyān ibn Wakī' was uncertain. The arches of his feet were high, and his feet were smooth, so that water ran off them. When he set off, he lifted his feet decisively. He walked leaning slightly forward, moving with calm ease. When he walked, it was as though he were descending a slope. When he turned, he turned with his entire body. He kept his gaze lowered and looked toward the earth more often than toward the sky. Most of his looks were brief glances. He walked behind his Companions and was the first to greet anyone he met.”
I said, “Describe his manner of speaking to me.”
He said:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was continually concerned and constantly reflective, and he knew no idleness. He remained silent for long periods and spoke only when necessary. He articulated his speech fully from beginning to end and spoke in concise words of comprehensive meaning. His words were full in meaning, neither disjointed nor deficient. He was gentle, neither coarse nor demeaning. He esteemed every blessing, however small, and found fault with none of them. As for food, he would neither criticize it nor ⦗1511⦘ praise it. Neither the world nor anything belonging to it angered him. But if the truth was transgressed, no one would recognize him in his anger, and nothing could withstand it until he had vindicated the truth. He neither became angry for his own sake nor sought vindication for himself. When he pointed, he did so with his whole hand; when astonished, he turned his palm over. When speaking, he gestured with it, striking the inside of his left palm with his right palm. When angry, he turned away and withdrew; when pleased, he lowered his gaze. Most of his laughter was a smile, and when he smiled, his teeth appeared like hailstones—peace and blessings be upon him.”
Al-Hasan ibn Alī, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: I kept this from al-Husayn for a time. Then I related it to him and discovered that he had already preceded me in learning it. He had asked Hind the same questions I had, and I found that he had also asked his father, may Allah be pleased with him, about the Prophet’s conduct at home, his conduct outside it, and his general manner, omitting nothing.
Al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I asked my father about the conduct of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when he entered his home. He replied:
“When he withdrew to his home, it was for his private needs, as he had been permitted. Upon reaching home, he divided his time into three portions: one for Allah, Majestic and Exalted; one for his family; and one for himself. He then divided his own portion between himself and the people, conveying its benefits to the general public through his close Companions and withholding nothing from them.
“His practice during the portion devoted to the community was to give precedence in admission to people of merit and to allot his time according to their standing in religion. Some had one need, some two, and others many. He devoted himself to them and occupied them with what would set them and the community aright—thus it reads—by asking about others and choosing for them what was appropriate. He would say, ‘Let those present convey this to those absent, and convey to me the need of anyone unable to present it himself. ⦗1512⦘ For whoever conveys to a ruler the need of one unable to present it himself, Allah will make his feet firm on the Day of Resurrection.’ Nothing but such matters was mentioned in his presence, and he accepted nothing else from anyone. They entered as seekers and departed only after tasting some benefit; they left as guides to goodness.”
He said: I asked him about the Prophet’s conduct when he went out among the people. He replied:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, restrained his tongue except in matters that concerned him. He brought people together and did not alienate them. He honored the nobleman of every people and appointed him over them. He was cautious of people and guarded himself against them, yet never withheld his cheerful countenance or fine character from anyone. He kept himself informed about his Companions and asked people about the affairs of others. He affirmed what was good and strengthened it, and denounced what was evil and weakened it. His conduct was balanced and consistent. He was never heedless, lest they become heedless or weary. He was prepared for every circumstance. He neither fell short of the truth nor went beyond it. Those closest to him were the best of the people. The best of them in his estimation were those most sincere in counsel, and those of greatest standing before him were those most generous in offering support and assistance.”
He said: I asked him about the Prophet’s conduct in his gathering. He replied:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, neither rose nor sat without remembering Allah. He did not reserve particular ⦗1513⦘ places for himself and forbade others from doing so. When he came to a gathering, he sat wherever the gathering ended, and he instructed others to do likewise. He gave every person sitting with him a due share of his attention, so that no one believed another to be more honored by him. If anyone sat with him or stood before him concerning a need, he remained patiently with that person until the person himself departed. When anyone asked him for something, he did not send him away without either fulfilling it or offering kind words. His generosity and character embraced all people. He became like a father to them, and they were equal before him regarding the truth.
“His gathering was one of forbearance, modesty, patience, and trustworthiness. Voices were not raised there; women were not spoken of indecently; and no lapses were repeated or spread abroad. Those present were treated equally, differing in merit only through piety. They were humble, honored the elderly, showed mercy to the young, gave precedence to those in need, and looked after strangers.”
He said: I asked him about his conduct toward those who sat with him. He replied:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was always cheerful, easy in character, and gentle in manner. He was neither harsh nor hard-hearted, neither loud nor fault-finding, and was not excessive in praise. He overlooked what displeased him, so no one despaired of him or was disappointed in him. He had restrained himself from three things: disputation, excessive speech, and matters that did not concern him. He spared people three things: he neither censured nor reproached anyone, nor sought out anyone’s faults. He spoke only about that for which he hoped to receive reward.
“When he spoke, those sitting with him bowed their heads as though birds were perched upon them. When he fell silent, they spoke. They did not contend with one another for the right to speak in his presence. Whoever spoke, they listened until he had finished, and the first speaker retained the floor. He laughed at what they laughed at and marveled at what they found marvelous. He patiently endured a stranger’s coarseness in speech and questioning. Indeed, ⦗1514⦘ his Companions would even bring such people to him. He would say, ‘Whenever you see someone seeking to have a need fulfilled, assist him.’ He accepted praise only when it was commensurate, and he did not interrupt anyone until that person had fully expressed himself; he would then end the conversation either by forbidding its continuation or by rising.”
I asked him, “What was the Prophet’s silence like, peace and blessings be upon him?”
He replied: “His silence rested upon four things: forbearance, caution, measured judgment, and reflection. His measured judgment appeared in giving people equal attention with his gaze and hearing. His reflection concerned what passes away and what endures. Forbearance and patience were united in him, so that nothing angered him and no one provoked him. His caution was manifested in four things: adopting what was good so that others would follow it; abandoning what was evil so that others would desist from it; exercising his utmost judgment regarding what would set his community right; and carrying that out among them. Thus he brought together for them the good of this world and the Hereafter—may abundant peace and blessings be upon him.”
Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, may Allah have mercy on him, said: I have mentioned enough concerning the physical constitution of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him; the beauty of the form with which Allah, Majestic and Exalted, honored him; and the noble character traits with which Allah, the Most Generous, uniquely endowed him. This will suffice anyone from his community who seeks to hold fast to some part of them.
We ask Allah, our Most Generous Master, to assist us in following the prescribed way of His Prophet. No one can fully embody his character except those whom Allah, the Most Generous, singled out ⦗1515⦘ from among those He loved of the Prophet’s family, descendants, and Companions. Those below their rank are incapable of doing so. Nevertheless, whoever sincerely intends and desires to acquire the character of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, I hope that Allah, the Most Generous, will reward him according to his intention and desire, even if his deeds fall short of them.
It is related that Alī ibn Abī Tālib, may Allah be pleased with him, described the believer as possessing noble and honorable qualities. Among the qualities he mentioned were these:
“When he is silent, he reflects; when he speaks, he remembers Allah. When he looks, he takes heed; when given sufficiency, he gives thanks; and when tested, he remains patient. His intention reaches far, though his strength falls short. He intends to perform many good deeds but accomplishes only what lies within his capacity.”
Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Have you not heard—may Allah have mercy upon you—what Allah, Majestic and Exalted, said to His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him?
“Indeed, you are of a great moral character.” [al-Qalam: 4]
It is said that this means: you follow the discipline of the Quran. When Allah, Majestic and Exalted, personally undertakes to endow someone with noble character, there can be no one before or after him who equals him in nobility of character.