Hadith 1: He was not tall nor short, not pale nor brown, having neither curly or straight hair: Description, Manners, Character and Habits of the Prophet

Al-Hāfidh Abu ʿĪsā Muhammad Ibn ʿĪsā Ibn Sawrah At-Tirmidhī (209 – 279 AH, Allah’s mercy be upon him) has a book entitled, Ash-Shamā’il Al-Muhammadiyyah – (Description, Manners, Character and Habits of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Imām At-Tirmidhī was from the ancient land of Tirmidh upon the river of Balkh in northern Iran.

The narrations I have translated are from the checking and summary of Al-Imām Al-Albānī (d. 1420 AH / 1999 CE, Allah’s mercy be upon him) entitled: Mukhtaṣar Ash-Shamā’il Al-Muhammadiyyah.

Chapter: Narrations about the Description (Khalq) of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ، يَقُولُ‏:‏ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، لَيْسَ بِالطَّوِيلِ الْبَائِنِ، وَلاَ بِالْقَصِيرِ، وَلاَ بِالأَبْيَضِ الأَمْهَقِ، وَلاَ بِالآدَمِ، وَلاَ بِالْجَعْدِ الْقَطَطِ، وَلاَ بِالسَّبْطِ، بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى رَأْسِ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً، فَأَقَامَ بِمَكَّةَ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ، وَبِالْمَدِينَةِ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ، وَتَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى رَأْسِ سِتِّينَ سَنَةً، وَلَيْسَ فِي رَأْسِهِ وَلِحْيَتِهِ عِشْرُونَ شَعَرَةً بَيْضَاءَ‏.‏

1 – Hadeeth Saheeh:

Anas Ibn Mālik (Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was not noticeably tall nor was he short, he was not very pale and white, nor was he brown (dark). He did not have very curly hair, nor was it completely straight. Allah sent him [with revelation] when he reached 40 years of age. He remained [calling to Islam] in Makkah for 10 years, and then in Madīnah for 10 years. Allah took his soul when he was 60 [or so]. And there were not more than 20 white hairs on his head and beard.”

Imām Al-Albānī: In a narration, it states [clearly] that he was in Makkah for 13 years (after revelation). Likewise, a narration, states that he was 63 when he died – that is more well-known and correct.

My comment: It is not permissible to dislike, belittle or poke fun at anything from the description, manners, character and habits of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Whoever does so [from those who ascribe themselves to Islam] has fallen into disbelief.

End