Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad

The Moral Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

God Almighty testified to the perfection of His Prophet’s character and the greatness of his ethics, as He said: "And indeed, you are of a great moral character". This quality made hearts attach to him and relinquish all ties to ignorance in pursuit of his love. Here are some of the ethical characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Truthfulness

Truthfulness is among the authentic characteristics of the personality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was known in Mecca before Islam as truthful and trustworthy; even his enemies attested to this great quality. They never accused him of lying, as they knew him to be truthful with himself, his God, his family, and all people. He emphasized truthfulness in speech, intention, and actions to his followers and advised them to avoid falsehood, clarifying that lying is a trait of hypocrites. He said: "(The signs of) a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is entrusted, he betrays".

Humility

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set the finest examples of humility. He was the leader of the humble, responding to the invitations of Muslims regardless of their wealth or social status, whether they were slaves or free. He accepted their gifts and returned their favors. He sat on the ground, on mats, and on carpets, saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a slave. So, call me the slave of Allah and His Messenger". His humility was evident in his service to his family and his gentle treatment of them. Aisha, the mother of the believers, was asked about the Prophet's behavior in his house, and she said, "He was a human being from among human beings. He would patch his sandals, milk his sheep, and serve himself". One of the clearest signs of his humility towards the weak and needy was his practice of greeting small children with peace, speaking kindly to them, and gently touching them with affection.

Courage

Courage is a great moral characteristic of those strong men who do not know fear and do not accept failure and humiliation. God Almighty encouraged His servants to embrace this great trait, as the strong believer is better and more beloved of God than the weak believer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an example to be emulated in courage, steadfastness, and positions in his fragrant biography. When the disbelievers of the Quraysh conspired to kill him, and their horsemen, armed with weapons, surrounded his house, he did not tremble in fear, nor did he tremble in fear. Still, he was resolute in courage until he even slept in his bed that night, then he emerged in the middle of the night and pushed him and his daughter.

Mercy

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most merciful of people. Allah, may He be exalted, said: "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds". This mercy was deeply rooted in the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). When he was told to curse the polytheists, he said: "I was not sent to invoke curses, but rather I was sent as a mercy". Allah, may He be exalted, addressed His Messenger (peace be upon him), saying: "And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have disbanded from about you".

He encouraged his nation to embrace the qualities of mercy, saying: "Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you". When he heard a child crying during prayer, he would hasten to shorten the prayer out of compassion for its mother. He would carry his granddaughter when he prayed, lifting her when he stood and placing her down when he prostrated.

Always Cheerful

He was always cheerful, easygoing, gentle, and hopeful. When he spoke, his companions listened as if birds were perched on their heads. When he remained silent, they spoke. He did not interrupt anyone’s speech.

Justice

He was an example to be followed in justice, and his deeds, sayings, and entire life were a practical application of this great moral quality. He said: "Seven are the ones whom Allah will shade in His shade on the Day when there is no shade except His shade, and one of them is a just leader". He warned his nation against injustice in the strongest terms, saying: "Whoever helps in an oppression, or helps the oppressor, he will continue in the anger of Allah until he is removed".

One of the most prominent incidents indicating his justice was his implementation of Allah’s law, even against those closest to him. It is reported from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the incident of the woman from Makhzum who stole that he said: "By Him in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand". In addition to his justice among his wives and his willingness to endure what might befall him because of jealousy.

Forgiveness and Pardon

The pardon was a clear characteristic of his character. He used to demonstrate forgiveness, and he used to say that Islam does not carry hatred for anyone. And when the polytheist of Mecca has done what was done, persecution, killing, and deporting Muslims, but he conquered the side of forgiveness and forgiveness. And when the day of Mecca came, it was - peace be upon him - preparing what the polytheist of Quraish did, and persecution, killing, and killing of the believers. Still, he overwhelmed the side of forgiveness and forgiveness, and he forgave all of them.

Generosity

The Messenger of Allah - peace be upon him - was exemplary in generosity and kindness. He would give without a moment's thought about poverty or lack of wealth because he firmly believed that sustenance is in the hands of Allah Almighty, and he had complete trust in His bounty and grace. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) indicated this when he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was never asked for anything for the sake of Islam except that he gave it. Once, a man came to him, and he gave him a flock of sheep nestled between two mountains. The man returned to his people and said, 'O people, embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives gifts without fearing poverty.'"

It is also narrated that a woman once gifted the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) a woven cloak. He wore it although he was in need of it. While he was sitting with his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), a man among them noticed the cloak and remarked, "O Messenger of Allah, how beautiful this cloak is! Allow me to wear it". The Prophet (peace be upon him) agreed. After the Prophet (peace be upon him) left, his companions reproached the man, saying, "You have not acted well when you saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) take it, needing it, and then asked him for it, knowing that he does not refuse anything". The man replied, "I only sought its blessings since the Prophet (peace be upon him) wore it. I hoped to be shrouded in it.

The Physical Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

The Messenger of Allah - peace be upon him - was the most beautiful of people and the best in character, as affirmed by what Bara'ah ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) said about him: "I have never seen anything more beautiful than him". His companions (may Allah be pleased with them) described him precisely. The following is the physical depictions of the Prophet Muhammad:

Complexion

The complexion of the Messenger of Allah - peace be upon him - was fair with a slightly reddish hue, as Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) described him, saying: "He had a luminous complexion, not very white, not ruddy nor dark."

Facial Features and Hair

The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) described the face of the Prophet - peace be upon him - as radiant like a bright moon and the most beautiful among people. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "I have not seen anyone more beautiful than the Messenger of Allah, as if the sun was running on his face, nor have I seen anyone faster in walking than the Messenger of Allah, as if the earth folded for him".

It is narrated by Ka'b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that when he greeted the Prophet (peace be upon him) and saw his face beaming with joy, he said: "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was pleased, his face would shine like a piece of the moon, and we recognized that about him".

Other physical features included his broad mouth, wide eyes, and a large forehead, as described by Jabir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Messenger of Allah had a broad mouth and prominent eyes".

He had dark eyes and long eyelashes, and his eyebrows were finely arched. His voice was deep, his eyebrows were fine, and his beard was thick, as described by Umm Ma'bad (may Allah be pleased with her): "Handsome, proportionate, with long eyelashes, a slender nose, and a sonorous voice".

Height

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was of medium stature, neither tall nor short, as described by Bara'ah ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Prophet (peace be upon him) was of medium height, between the two extremes, with hair that reached the lobe of his ears. I saw him in a red garment, and I have never seen anything more beautiful than him".

Hair of the Prophet

His hair was intensely black, neither curly nor straight, reaching to the lobe of his ears, as described by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): "His hair was not curly nor was it lank".

Seal of Prophethood

One of the distinctive marks of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a seal between his shoulders, resembling a prominent mole. Jabir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "I saw the seal of Prophethood between his shoulders, it was like the egg of a pigeon, resembling his body".

Fragrance

He had soft palms and a pleasant fragrance. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah had a radiant complexion, his sweat was like pearls. When he walked, he walked briskly. Neither silk nor brocade was softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah".

These descriptions highlight the physical beauty and noble characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as documented by his companions.