What Did Prophet Muhammad Look Like?

Have you ever wondered about the physical appearance of Prophet Muhammad, the central figure of Islam? The description of his appearance holds great significance for Muslims, as it offers a glimpse into the earthly manifestation of a revered spiritual leader.

In this article, we delve into authentic narrations and historical accounts to uncover the detailed features and characteristics of the Prophet, shedding light on his physical presence as well as the deeper meanings behind his unique attributes.

Physical Characteristics of the Prophet

The Facial Features of the Prophet Muhammad

Many biographies and Hadith books mention the physical characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, including descriptions of his facial features. Here are some of these attributes as described in the following:

• Facial Complexion: The Prophet's complexion was described as fair and radiant, not dark. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, had a fair complexion". He also mentioned that the Prophet was not extremely white.
• Cheeks: The Prophet's cheeks had a glowing radiance resembling that of the full moon on a clear night. His face was not perfectly round but had slight angular features, with well-defined cheeks. Bara'ah ibn Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, had the most handsome face among people, and he had well-defined cheeks".
• Forehead: The Prophet had a broad and smooth forehead proportionate in width and height.
• Eyebrows and Eyes: His eyebrows were gracefully arched and connected, with long and finely arched ends almost touching. His eyes were wide and intense, with dark pupils and whites, and small red veins were visible. His eyelashes were thick and long.
• Nose: The Prophet had a straight nose with a slight elevation at the middle, and the tip of his nose was finely pointed.
• Mouth and Teeth: His mouth was wide, he had beautiful lips, and his teeth were white. There was slight spacing between some of his teeth.
• Beard: The Prophet had a thick, black beard that reached the length of his fist. There were a few white hairs in his beard, as Abdullah ibn Busr reported: "There were white hairs in his beard". The area between his lower lip and chin was also covered in hair.
• Head and Hair: The Prophet had a large head with black hair, free from any gray except for a few hairs near the parting of his head. His hair was neither curly nor completely straight, but rather, he combed it, sometimes letting it reach his earlobes, sometimes his shoulders, and sometimes covering the nape of his neck. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Prophet, peace be upon him, liked to imitate the People of the Book in matters that were not ordered, and the People of the Book used to let their hair hang down while the polytheists parted theirs, so the Prophet let his hair hang down, then he parted it afterward".

Physical Traits of the Prophet Muhammad

Describing the physical traits of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the following is mentioned:

• Stature and Height: The Prophet's stature was square and closer to being tall rather than short. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was of medium height, neither tall nor short, with a handsome physique".
• Neck and Throat: The Prophet had a graceful neck, described as long, resembling a silver pitcher, as reported by Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him.
• Shoulders, Chest, and Arms: He was neither overweight nor thin, with broad shoulders and chest. The area between his shoulders was hairy, while his chest and abdomen were hairless. Abdullah ibn Sarjas described seeing the seal of prophethood between the Prophet's left shoulder blades, resembling a cluster of moles. His arms were long, and his armpits were white.
• Hands and Fingers: The Prophet had broad palms and long fingers without curvature. The texture of his hands was soft and smooth. Anas ibn Malik reported: "I never touched silk or brocade softer than the hand of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him".
• Abdomen and Navel: The Prophet did not have a large abdomen, and there was a fine hairline between his navel and pubic area.
• Legs and Joints: His legs were white, and his knees and joints were thick.
• Feet: The soles of the Prophet's feet did not touch the ground when he stood, and they were equal in length without any deformity.

The Beauty Traits of the Prophet

Some of the beauty traits of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are as follows:

1. Many Hadiths mention that the Prophet, peace be upon him, possessed exquisite beauty, often compared to the moon, or even more beautiful. Ka'b ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, when he was happy, his face would shine as bright as a piece of the moon".
2. The Prophet was distinguished by the beauty and gentleness of his face, even during his illness and before his passing. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: "The Prophet, peace be upon him, uncovered the curtain of his room and looked at us while standing, and his face was as bright as a page from the Qur'an, then he smiled".
3. Allah Almighty endowed His Prophet with both physical and moral beautiful traits, and it is mentioned that he was the best of creation in both aspects.
   It is reported that he, peace be upon him, had a majestic presence in the eyes and hearts of people, and he was radiant and illuminating.

Importance of Knowing the Physical Traits of the Prophet

Knowing the physical traits of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is important for Muslims because Allah Almighty may honor His servants by allowing them to see the Prophet in their dreams. How would a servant recognize him if they are not familiar with the physical traits of their Prophet?

Many Muslims strive to emulate the Prophet in the minutest details and seek to resemble him in appearance, including hair length, beard, gait, and other aspects. Therefore, understanding his physical characteristics helps Muslims in their efforts to emulate and resemble the Prophet; peace be upon him.