Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

 

His face; his soft dark eyes, the twinkle in his face when he smiled, was just as beautiful as the radiant full moon in a clear, black night sky. I wish I saw his bright, glowing face. I wish I had been Asmaa bint Abu Bakr who brought food and provisions to the cave for her father and the Prophet as they hid before their escape from Makkah.



I wish I had been Anas who served the Prophet (peace be upon him), or Abu Bakr who supported him, or Omar ibn Al-Khattab who defended him, or Ali bin Abi Talib who sacrificed his own life for the Prophet’s life, or Khalid bin Al-Walid who fought in battles with him. I wish I heard Bilal’s melodious voice call to prayer so that I can pray behind the Prophet (peace be upon him). I wish I had been the little girl, Rubay bint Muawwidh, who took to the Prophet a plate of fresh dates and small cucumbers and then he gave her a handful of jewelry in return.  



Years and centuries separate us from them; our generation from those fortunate ones who surrounded the Prophet (peace be upon him) and who, despite their extreme physical hardships, felt blissful and content because he (peace be upon him) was among them.



All that we have is a flickering hope that we will meet him in Paradise, and we have very vivid descriptions of him, as his companions described him (peace be upon him).



One of the Prophet’s companions, Jabir bin Samurah, said about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “I saw him on one full moon night. I looked at him and I looked at the moon. He was dressed in a red garment. I compared him with the moon and found that he was better [looking] than the moon.”  



As for his physical appearance, his cousin, Ali bin Abi Talib, said that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was neither excessively tall nor extremely short; he was of medium height. His hair was neither curly nor wavy. It was not too curly nor was it plain straight, and his hair was black and quite long, reaching to under his earlobes. His face was not swollen, but it was fairly round. He had large, black eyes with long eyelashes. He had broad shoulders and thick palms, fingers, and toes. There was the seal, the marking, of a Prophet between his shoulders, and it was the size of a pigeon’s egg.  



Ali bin Abi Talib, said about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “He is the Seal of Prophets, the most generous and the bravest of all. His speech was the most reliable. He was the keenest, most trustworthy, and the most attentive to people’s needs and he was very careful to pay people’s due in full. The Prophet was the most well-mannered, polite, and the most yielding companion. Seeing him from afar you would fear and venerate him, but he who has acquaintance with him will love him.”



Anas bin Malik, who lived in the Prophet’s home, described the Prophet’s skin color as being neither white nor dark brown. By the time of his death, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had only 20 white hairs scattered on his head and beard.



Rubay bint Muawwidh, the young girl who brought the Prophet (peace be upon him) a plate of dates and cucumbers, and later became a scholar, said, “Had you seen him, you would have felt that the sun was shining.”



Abu Huraira who was keen on staying close to the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “I have never seen a thing nicer than Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). It seems as if the sunlight were moving within his face. I have never seen one who is faster in pace than Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). It seemed as if the earth had folded itself up to shorten the distance for him, for we used to wear ourselves out while he was at full ease.”



Kaab bin Malik described the Prophet (peace be upon him), saying, “When he was pleased, his face would shine with so bright a light that you would believe that it was a piece of the moon.”



As for his character, no writer’s words can make justice, but Ali bin Abi Talib eloquently described the Prophet’s character.



Husain, the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon), asked his father, Ali, about the Prophet’s conduct.



Ali bin Abi Talib replied, “He was always cheerful, gentle, and mild. There was no rigidity or coarseness in his conduct. He was not loud. He was not a fault finder and he steered away from profane language and futile engagements. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his companions. He refrained from boasting, hoarding wealth, and involvement in matters that did not concern him, and from using sharp rebukes and exposing people with the intention to disgrace and defame.”



“While speaking, he addressed matters constructively with the objective of good for all. His audience remained motionless as they gave him their undivided attention. None of his listeners would interrupt while he spoke. They waited until he completed his discussion and the person who then requested to participate was allowed to address the group. Participants were treated with respect - each was allowed to finish his statement without objection or interference.”



“The Prophet (peace be upon him) was patient and tolerant. He laughed at things that were humorous and was excited by what excited his companions. With regards to the needy, he encouraged the wealthy to support the poor. He objected to being praised excessively and tolerated it only as a way of being shown thanks for his kindness.”



That was the Prophet (peace be upon him), brighter than the bright moon.