A Little Something from Shamaa'il Tirmidhi

When I was taught from Shamaa'il Tirmidhi, honestly it was my favourite part of the class. We all (my class) just loved this Kitab. Every hadith we did, we fell more and more in love with Sayyidinah Rasulullah (s.a.w), SubhanAllah. Okay, so since it's Rabi` al-Awwal, I thought I should post some of my favourite ahadeeth from Shama'ile Tirmidhi. One at a time though...

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Hazrat Sheikh-ul Hadeeth Maulana Muhammad Zakaria (R.A.) writes in Khasa'Ile Nabawi -- in explanation of SHAMA'ILE TIRMIDHI:-

Imaam Tirmidhi has quoted in this chapter those ahaadith that have been narrated on the noble features of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). It is impossible to accurately describe actual beauty and elegance of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).
To draw a pen-picture of his appearance is beyond one's capability, but the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) have endeavoured, according to their capabilities, to preserve what little they could, of which some is written here. Qurtubi says: "The full beauty and elegance of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) has not been made manifest, otherwise it would not have been possible for man to look at him". The Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum), have done the ummah an immense favour by conveying to them the perfect intrinsic knowledge, as well as the perfect conspicuous elegance and beauty of Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).

When an unfulfilled lover is deprived of meeting the beloved then he stands in front of the beloved's house remembering the features of his beloved, in an attempt to gain some solace. It is from habits and features that the heart is appeased.

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It is related from Ebrahim bin Muhammad (Radiallahu anhu) who is from the sons (grand sons of Ali radiallahu anhu, that whenever Ali radiallahu anhu described the nobel features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), he used to say:

"Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was neither very tall nor short, but of a medium stature among people. His hair was neither very curly nor very straight, but had a slight wave in it. He did not have a big body nor a round face, but his mubaarak face was slightly round (meaning he did not have a fully round face nor a fully elongated face, bur in between the two). The complexion of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was white with redness in it.

The mubaarak eyes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were extremely black. His eyelashes were long. The joints of the body (e.g. elbows and knees etc.) were large, likewise the portion between the two shoulders was broad and fully fleshed. There was no hair (more than normal) on his body. (Some people have profuse hair on their body. Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) did not have hair on the parts of his body, besides places like the arms and legs etc.) He had a thin line of hair running from the chest to the navel. The hands and feet of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were fully fleshed.

When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigour, as if he were descending to a low-lying place. When he addressed a person he turned his whole body towards that person. (He did not only turn his face towards the person he addressed, as this is considered impolite, and sometimes, it even denotes pride. Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) faced the person he spoke to, with his chest and body. Some scholars have translated this as, when Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) addressed someone, he completely turned his face towards that person, and did not give a side glance. This is not a suitable translation).

The seal of Prophethood was situated between his shoulders. He was a last of all prophets. He was the most generous and the most truthful. He was the most kind-hearted and came from a most noble family. (It means his character, family back-ground and everything else was of the best).

Any person who saw him suddenly would become awe-inspired. Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had such a great personality and dignity, that the person who saw him for the first time, because of his awe-inspiring personality, would be overcome with a feeling of profound respect. Firstly, there is a ro`b (awe) for physical beauty, with this when other Kamaalat are added what more could then be said of the ro'b (awe). Besides, the special attributes and qualities granted to Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) ro'b (awe) is also one of the special qualities granted to him).

Anyone who came in close contact with him, and knew his excellent character was smitten with the love of his excellent attributes. Anyone who described his noble features can only say: "I have not seen anyone like Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) neither before nor after him."

Chapter 1, hadeeth 6