We are at this stage closing the discourse regarding the qualities of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, both ingrained in him and those required in the fulfilment of his assignment as the last Messenger of Allah. It is obvious that what we have described is simply tips on the iceberg otherwise this discussion may go on and on and will not be complete even after that. However, it appears befitting to close this part of deliberations by referring to what have been gathered by his grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, may Allah be pleased with both of them.
The narrator of the first part of the information is Hind, son of Abi Hala, may Allah be pleased with him, who provided these details on the query of Hasan, son of Ali, may Allah be pleased with both of them.
According to the details provided in this narration, Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, was a dignified person whose face shone like the full moon. He was taller than normal heights, although not very tall. His head was well-proportioned and hair was neither curly or straight and were parted reaching not beyond the lobes of his ear. He was fair skinned with a wide brow and thick eyebrows. A vein would throb between his eyebrows when he was angry. He had a long nose with a line of light over it. A person may consider this line of light superimposed over his nose to be part of the nose itself. His beard was thick, eyes were black, mouth was wide and teeth were white. There were slight gaps between his front teeth. The hair on his chest formed a fine line. His neck appeared to be formed out of pure silver.
His physique was in perfect harmony and proportion, well-balanced. His body was firm and muscular. His belly and chest were equal in size. His chest was broad and the space between his shoulders was wide. His calves were full. He was luminous, glowing and radiant. There was a fine line of hair between his neck and his navel, while the rest of his torso was free from any hair. However, he had hair on his forearms and shoulders and the upper part of his chest. He had thick wrists, wide palms, thick hands and feet. His fingers were long. He was slender. He had high insteps and his feet were so smooth that water ran off them.
As for his gait, he walked as though he were going down a slope. He walked in a dignified manner and walked easily and swiftly. Whenever addressing anybody, he would turn his whole body towards that person. He kept his glance low, glancing downwards more. He always initiated the greetings, being first to speak to his companions and welcome them.
As for his habit of speaking, he spoke only when necessary, otherwise he will be in reflective mood. He spoke with long periods in silence. He began and concluded his talk comprehensively, being straight to the point, without excessive or superfluous words.
He had a mild temperament, being neither harsh nor cruel. He valued any gift given to him even if it was small. He did not censure anything nor criticise or praise the taste of food. He was never angry for his own personal sake. He was angered only for the sake of Allah, when any of His rights were violated.
Whenever he had to point towards any direction, he always did so with his whole hand. When he pointed, he did so with his whole hand. When he was surprised about something, he turned his palm upside down. When he talked, he held his right thumb in his left palm. When he was angry, he turned away averting his face. When he was happy, he looked downwards. Generally, his laughter consisted of a smile wherein his teeth, which were as white as hailstones, appeared.
Hasan, son of Ali, may Allah be pleased with both of them, said that after getting the information about the Prophet, as above, he did not mention immediately about this to his younger brother Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him. However, when he mentioned this to him, he found out that he had surpassed him as he had also gathered important information about the Prophet from their father Ali, son of Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. The illustrious younger brother had asked his father about the activities at home of the Prophet. Ali, son of Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, both as a cousin and son-in law of the Prophet was an integral part of the family and so had free access therein. The information which he provided to his younger son were as under:
When the Prophet retired to his house, he divided his time into thirds; a third for Allah; a third for his family and; a third for himself. And the third portion of time for himself was also shared with the people. As for the time for the people, he used that for fulfilling the requirements of the poor and the needy. He used the time for the people more for the common people than for the elite. However, of his conduct in the part reserved for himself, he would show preference to the people of merit and would divide the time according to their excellence in their faith and religion. He used to say, “Those who are present should convey things to those who are absent, and you should let me know about what is needed by people who cannot convey their needs to me. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will make firm the feet of a person who conveys to a ruler the need of someone who cannot convey it himself.
Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, at this stage of narration mentioned the statement of Sufyan, son of Waki’, that people entered (in the house/presence of the Prophet) as seekers (of knowledge) and parted after having tasted something, leaving as guides to others.
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless and guide him, did not speak until it was in respect of the concerns of the people. He unified people and did not divide them. He honoured the nobles of every group of people and appointed them over their people. He was cautious about people and on his guard against them, but he did that without turning his face from or being discourteous to them.
He praised what was good and encouraged it and disliked what was ugly and foul and discouraged it. He took a balanced course, without making changes. He was not negligent, fearing that people would become negligent or weary. He was prepared for any eventuality. He did not neglect a right nor did he let his debts reach the point where others had to help him. The best and most preferred people in his eyes were those who had good counsel for all. Those he esteemed most were those who supported and helped him.
He did not sit down or stand up without mentioning Allah. He did not reserve a special place for himself and forbade other people to do so. When he came to people, he would sit down at the edge of the assembly and told other people to do the same. He gave everyone who sat with him his share so that no one who sat with him thought that anyone was honoured more than he was. He was patient with people and if anyone sat with him or stood near him to asked something, he will patiently be attentive to him until that person turned away. When someone asked him for something he needed, he either departed with it or with some consoling words. He had the kindest and best behaviour of all people, being like a father to them. They were all equal in respect of their rights with him.
The assembly of the Prophet was one of forbearance, modesty and trust. Voices were not raised in it nor were shortcomings made public or lapses exposed. Its members were attached to each other by fear of Allah and were humble. They respected the old and showed mercy to the young. They helped those with needs and showed mercy to strangers.
He was always cheerful, easy-tempered and mild. He was neither rough nor coarse. He did not shout nor utter foul language. He did not find fault with nor over-praise people. He ignored what was superfluous and left that. He disregarded and left what was unessential. He did not censure anyone, or scold them, or try to find out their faults and probe into their secrecies.
He only spoke about things for which he expected a reward from Allah. When he spoke, the people sitting with him were as still as if there were birds on their heads. When he was silent, they talked, but did not quarrel in his presence. When someone talked in front of him, they kept quiet until he had finished. Their conversation was about the first topic that was raised. He was pleased at what pleased them and was surprised at what surprised them. He was patient with a stranger who talked rudely or in vulgar matter. He said, “When you find someone asking for something he needs, then give it to him.” He did not look for praise except to balance a matter. He did not interrupt anyone speaking until that person had himself come to an end by either speaking or getting up from where he was sitting.
His silence was on four counts: forbearance, caution, evaluation and reflection. As for his evaluation, it lay in constantly observing and listening to people [to be just]. As for his reflection, it was upon what would endure and what would vanish. He was not angered at any provocation.
He was cautious about four things: in adopting something good which then would be followed; in abandoning something bad which then would be abandoned; in striving to determine what would be beneficial for his people and; in establishing for them what would combine the benefits of this world and the next.