The Noble Features of Rasulullah (SAW)

Hadith No: 1 with Commentary in English

Narrated: Anas
"Rasulullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) was neither tall nor was he short (like a dwarf - He was of medium stature). In complexion, he was neither very white like lime, nor very dark, nor brown which results in darkness (he was illuminant, more luminous than even the full-moon on the 14th night). The hair of Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) was neither very straight nor very curly (but slightly wavy). When he attained the age of forty, Allah the Almighty granted him nubuwwah (prophethood).He lived for ten years in Makkah (commentary) and in Madina for ten years. At that time there were not more than twenty white hair on his mubarak (blessed) head and beard." (This will be described in detail in the chapter on white hair of Rasulullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him).

Commentary

Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) was of a medium stature, but slightly taller. This has been reported in a narration from Sayyidina Hind bin Abi Haalah (Radiallahu Anhu) and others. An objection may arise concerning these two hadeeth, that it is stated in one hadeeth that when Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) used to stand up in a group, he appeared to be the tallest among them. This was not due to his height, but was a result of a Mu'jizah (Miracle). In the manner that no one had reached a higher status than Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) in 'Kamalaate Ma'nawiyyah', (super intellectual status) likewise in the 'Surah Zaahiri' (outward appearance) no one could excel him. It is stated in the hadeeth under discussion that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) lived for ten years in Makkah Mukarramah after nubuwwah (prophethood). For this reason it is stated that he attained the age of sixty years. This is contrary to what has been reported in the other ahadith, where it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) lived there for thirteen years and attained the age of sixty three years. In some ahadith it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) attained the age of sixty five years. At the end of this kitaab all three ahadith will be quoted. Imaam Bukhari (R.A.) says: "Most narrations show that Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) lived for sixty three years." The ulama (scholars) have summed up these ahadith in two ways. First, that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) received nubuwwah (prophethood) at the age of forty and risaalah three years thereafter, and after that he lived for ten years in Makkah Mukaraamah. According to this, the three years between nubuwwah and risaalah have been in the hadeeth under discussion.

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