Al-Shama'il: his appearance and character ﷺ

Test yourself

Choose an answer, then open it to see the hadith it comes from.

1. Al-Bara' said he never saw anyone more handsome than the Prophet ﷺ in a certain mantle. What colour was the mantle?

   1. Red
   2. Yellow
   3. Grey
   4. Blue
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   Answer: Red

   Al-Bara' said he never saw anyone more handsome than the Prophet ﷺ in the red mantle.

   «ما رأيت من ذي لمة أحسن في حلة حمراء من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم شعره يضرب منكبيه بعيد ما بين المنكبين، ليس بالطويل ولا بالقصير» قال أبو كريب: له شعر

   Al-Bara' reported:Never did I see anyone more handsome than Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) in the red mantle.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

2. Anas ibn Malik was asked whether the Prophet ﷺ dyed his hair. He said that Abu Bakr dyed his, and so did one other Companion. Who was it?

   1. Uthman
   2. Umar
   3. Ali
   4. Talha
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   Answer: Umar

   Anas said that Abu Bakr and Umar dyed their hair.

   سئل أنس بن مالك هل خضب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قال: «إنه لم يكن رأى من الشيب إلا» - قال ابن إدريس كأنه يقلله - وقد خضب أبو بكر، وعمر بالحناء والكتم "

   Ibn Sirin reported:Anas b. Malik was asked whether Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) dyed his hair. He said: He had not become old enough to have white hair. Ibn Idris said that he had a few white hair. Abu Bakr and Umar, however, dyed hair with hina' (henna)Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

3. Abu Rimtha at-Taimi came to the Prophet ﷺ with his son and described the Prophet's ﷺ hair as topped with grayness. What colour did he say the grayness was?

   1. Pure white
   2. Yellowish
   3. Black
   4. Reddish
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   Answer: Reddish

   Abu Rimtha said that the grayness of the Prophet's ﷺ hair was reddish.

   التيمي تيم ( 1 ) الرباب قال أتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ومعي ( 2 ) ابن لي قال فأريته فقلت لما رأيته هذا نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وعليه ثوبان أخضران وله شعر قد علاه الشيب وشيبه أحمر

   Abu’r-Rimtha at-Taimi (the servant of ar-Rabab) said: "I came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) with a son of mine, who said: 'So I was shown him, and I said when I saw him: ‘This is Allah’s Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). He is wearing two green garments, and he has hair that is topped with grayness, and its grayness is reddish'.”Translation: Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah, English as published on sunnah.com.

4. Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ came to their house and perspired. His mother, Umm Sulaym, brought a container to collect the sweat. What was it?

   1. A waterskin
   2. A bottle
   3. A clay jar
   4. A wooden bowl
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   Answer: A bottle

   Anas said his mother brought a bottle and poured the Prophet's ﷺ sweat into it.

   دخل علينا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال عندنا، فعرق، وجاءت أمي بقارورة، فجعلت تسلت العرق فيها، فاستيقظ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: «يا أم سليم ما هذا الذي تصنعين؟» قالت:

   Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) used to come to our house and there was perspiration upon his body. My mother brought a bottle and began to pour the sweat in that. When Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) got up he said:Umm Sulaim, what is this that you are doing?Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

5. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said she perfumed the Prophet ﷺ with the best scent available until she saw its shine. Where on him did she see it?

   1. His head and beard
   2. His hands and feet
   3. His clothes and turban
   4. His chest and arms
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   Answer: His head and beard

   She perfumed him with the best scent available until she saw its shine on his head and beard.

   كنت أطيب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بأطيب ما يجد حتى أجد وبيص الطيب في رأسه ولحيته

   Narrated `Aisha:I used to perfume Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) with the best scent available till I saw the shine of the scent on his head and shine beardTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

6. Ibn 'Abbas said the Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people, and most generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. How often did Gabriel meet him in Ramadan?

   1. Once a week
   2. On the last ten nights only
   3. Once at the start of the month
   4. Every night
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   Answer: Every night

   Ibn 'Abbas said Gabriel used to meet the Prophet ﷺ every night in Ramadan to study the Qur'an together.

   كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل وكان جبريل يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن فلرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حين يلقاه جبريل أجود بالخير من

   Narrated Ibn `Abbas:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel used to meet him. Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan to study the Holy Qur'an carefully together. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to become more generous than the fast wind when he met GabrielTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

7. Anas was walking with the Prophet ﷺ when a bedouin pulled his garment violently and made a demand of him. How did the Prophet ﷺ respond when he turned to the man?

   1. He rebuked him
   2. He walked on without answering
   3. He turned his face away
   4. He smiled
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   Answer: He smiled

   The Prophet ﷺ turned to the bedouin and smiled, and then ordered that a gift be given to him.

   كنت أمشي مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وعليه برد نجراني غليظ الحاشية فأدركه أعرابي فجذبه جذبه شديدة حتى نظرت إلى صفحة عاتق النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد أثرت به حاشية الرداء من شدة جذبته ثم قال مر لي من مال الله الذي عندك فالتفت إليه فضحك ثم أمر له بعطاء

   Narrated Anas bin Malik:While I was walking with the Prophet (ﷺ) who was wearing a Najrani outer garment with a thick hem, a bedouin came upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and pulled his garment so violently that I could recognize the impress of the hem of the garment on his shoulder, caused by the violence of his pull. Then the bedouin said, "Order for me something from Allah's Fortune which you have." The Prophet (ﷺ) turned to him and smiled, and ordered that a gift be given to himTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

8. Jabir ibn Samura sat with the Prophet ﷺ many times. What did the Companions used to recite to one another in his company?

   1. Poetry
   2. Sermons
   3. Stories of earlier prophets
   4. Supplications
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   Answer: Poetry

   Jabir said the Companions used to recite poetry to one another while he sat with the Prophet ﷺ.

   عليه وسلم أكثر من مائة مرة وكان اصحابه يتناشدون الشعر ويتذاكرون أشياء من امر الجاهلية وهو

   Jabir ibn Samura said: ‘I sat with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) more than one hundred times, and his Companions used to recite poetry to one another.Translation: Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah, English as published on sunnah.com.

9. Anas ibn Malik said that when prayer time came while the Prophet ﷺ was in their house, he led them in prayer on a mat. What was the mat made of?

   1. Wool
   2. Date-palm leaves
   3. Leather
   4. Reeds
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   Answer: Date-palm leaves

   Anas said their mat was made of the leaves of the date palm.

   «كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أحسن الناس خلقا، فربما تحضر الصلاة وهو في بيتنا، فيأمر بالبساط الذي تحته فيكنس، ثم ينضح، ثم يؤم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ونقوم خلفه فيصلي بنا، وكان بساطهم من جريد النخل»

   Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wits the best among people in character. On occasions, the time of prayer would come while he was in our house. He would then order to spread the mat lying under him. That was dusted and then water was sprinkled over it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then led the prayer and we stood behind him, and that mat was made of the leaves of date-palmTranslation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

10. Ibn Abbas described how the Prophet ﷺ and his family often went hungry at night. What kind of bread did he say most of their bread was?

    1. Wheat bread
    2. Millet bread
    3. Date bread
    4. Barley bread
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    Answer: Barley bread

    Ibn Abbas said that most of the bread of the Prophet ﷺ and his family was barley bread.

    كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يبيت الليالي المتتابعة طاويا هو وأهله لا يجدون عشاء وكان أكثر خبزهم خبز الشعير

    Ibn 'Abbas said: "Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to spend night after night starving. He and his family would not have any supper to eat, and most of their bread was barley-bread.”Translation: Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah, English as published on sunnah.com.

11. A man prepared a meal and invited the Prophet ﷺ, and Anas went along with the Prophet ﷺ. What was the man's trade?

    1. A baker
    2. A butcher
    3. A weaver
    4. A tailor
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    Answer: A tailor

    Anas said that a tailor invited the Prophet ﷺ to a meal he had prepared, and that he went along with him.

    عبد الله بن أبي طلحة أنه سمع أنس بن مالك أن خياطا دعا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لطعام صنعه فذهبت مع النبي صلى

    Narrated Anas bin Malik:A tailor invited the Prophet (ﷺ) to a meal which he had prepared, and I went along with the Prophet (ﷺ) .Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

12. According to A'isha, the Prophet ﷺ used to visit his wives and go close to them. Which wife did he stay with longer than usual, so that A'isha asked about it?

    1. Sauda
    2. Hafsa
    3. Safiyya
    4. Juwayriyah
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    Answer: Hafsa

    He went to Hafsa and stayed with her more than his usual stay, and A'isha asked about that.

    الحلواء والعسل، فكان إذا صلى العصر دار على نسائه، فيدنو منهن، فدخل على حفصة، فاحتبس عندها أكثر مما كان يحتبس، فسألت عن ذلك، فقيل

    After saying the afternoon prayer he used to visit his wives going close to them. So he went to Hafsa and stayed with her more than what was his usual stay. I ('A'isha) asked about that.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

13. Amr ibn Umayya saw the Prophet ﷺ holding a piece of mutton in his hand and cutting part of it with a knife. Which part of the animal was it?

    1. The neck
    2. The shoulder
    3. The liver
    4. The thigh
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    Answer: The shoulder

    He was holding a shoulder piece of mutton in his hand and cutting part of it with a knife.

    أباه عمرو بن أمية أخبره أنه رأى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يحتز من كتف شاة

    Narrated `Amr bin Umaiyya:that he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) holding a shoulder piece of mutton in his hand and cutting part of it with a knife.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

14. As a boy under the care of the Prophet ﷺ, Umar bin Abi Salama let his hand go around the dish while he ate. What did the Prophet ﷺ tell him to mention?

    1. A supplication for forgiveness
    2. The Name of Allah
    3. A greeting of peace
    4. The takbir
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    Answer: The Name of Allah

    The Prophet ﷺ said to him: "O boy! Mention the Name of Allah."

    أبي سلمة يقول كنت غلاما في حجر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وكانت يدي تطيش في الصحفة فقال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يا غلام سم الله وكل بيمينك

    Narrated `Umar bin Abi Salama:I was a boy under the care of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, 'O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you."Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

15. Ka'b described how the Prophet ﷺ used to eat. With how many fingers did he eat?

    1. Three
    2. Two
    3. All five
    4. Four
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    Answer: Three

    He used to eat with three fingers, and when he had finished, he licked them.

    حدثهم، «أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يأكل بثلاث أصابع، فإذا فرغ لعقها»،

    Abdullah b. Ka'b reported that his father Ka'b narrated to him that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to eat with three fingers and when he had finished (eating), he licked themTranslation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

16. Ibn 'Abbas served Zamzam water to the Prophet ﷺ. How did the Prophet ﷺ drink it?

    1. Standing
    2. Kneeling
    3. Crouching
    4. Reclining
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    Answer: Standing

    Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ drank the Zamzam water while standing.

    «سقيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من زمزم فشرب قائما، واستسقى وهو عند البيت»،

    Ibn 'Abbas reported:I served (water from) Zamzam to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and he drank while standing, and he asked for it while he was near the House (i. e. House of Allah-Ka'ba)Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

17. Anas ibn Malik brought out a drinking vessel to Thabit and said it was the Prophet's ﷺ. What was it made of?

    1. Clay
    2. Glass
    3. Copper
    4. Wood
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    Answer: Wood

    Thabit reported that Anas brought out a wooden drinking vessel, roughly clamped with iron, and said it was the Prophet's ﷺ.

    أخرج إلينا أنس بن مالك قدح خشب غليظا مضببا بحديد فقال يا ثابت هذا قدح رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم

    Thabit said: “Anas ibn Malik brought out to us a wooden drinking vessel, roughly clamped with iron, then he said: ‘O Ihabit, this is the drinking vessel of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace)'!”Translation: Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah, English as published on sunnah.com.

18. Aishah said that when people gave a gift to Allah's Messenger ﷺ, he accepted it. What else did he do?

    1. He thanked the giver in public
    2. He set it aside for the poor
    3. He gave something in return
    4. He asked the giver to visit again
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    Answer: He gave something in return

    Aishah reported that he used to accept gifts and give something in return.

    كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبل الهدية ويثيب عليها لم يذكر وكيع ومحاضر عن هشام عن أبيه عن عائشة

    Narrated `Aisha:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to accept gifts and used to give something in returnTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

19. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet ﷺ first made himself a ring of one metal, then discarded it, and then made a silver ring. What was the first ring made of?

    1. Iron
    2. Copper
    3. Gold
    4. Bronze
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    Answer: Gold

    The Prophet ﷺ made a gold ring, discarded it, and then made a silver one.

    اتخذ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم خاتما من ذهب، ثم ألقاه، ثم اتخذ خاتما من ورق ونقش فيه محمد رسول الله، وقال: «لا ينقش

    Ibn Umar reported that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) had made for himself a gold ring; then he discarded it, and then made for himself a silver ring, and had these words engraved upon it (Muhammad, Messenger of Allah), and said:No one should engrave anything like the engraving of this signet ring of mine.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

20. A'isha brought out a patched woollen garment and told Abu Burda and those with him when the Prophet ﷺ had been wearing it. When was that?

    1. At Badr
    2. At Hunayn
    3. At his death
    4. At the Conquest of Mecca
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    Answer: At his death

    A'isha said that the soul of the Prophet ﷺ was taken away while he was wearing this garment.

    كساء ملبدا وقالت في هذا نزع روح النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وزاد سليمان عن حميد

    Narrated Abu Burda:`Aisha brought out to us a patched woollen garment, and she said, "(It chanced that) the soul of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was taken away while he was wearing this."Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

The questions and explanations are written by Seerah Streak from the cited hadith; words in quotation marks are the source's own. The Arabic is the book's text, checked word for word.

Lessons on this topic

In the app, each lesson reads the full passage, then asks about it.

1. His appearanceSahih al-Bukhari 3547 · Sahih Muslim 2337b
2. His grey hairsSahih Muslim 2341a · Sahih al-Bukhari 5895 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 37
3. His grey hair as others saw itSahih Muslim 2344b · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 43
4. His touch and scentSahih Muslim 2331a · Sahih al-Bukhari 6281 · Sahih Muslim 2331b
5. His perfumeSahih al-Bukhari 5923 · Sahih Muslim 1189h · Sahih Muslim 1190c
6. His characterSahih al-Bukhari 3220 · Sahih Muslim 2309e
7. His forbearanceSahih al-Bukhari 3560 · Sahih al-Bukhari 3149
8. Poetry in his companyal-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 246 · Sahih Muslim 2256e · Sahih Muslim 1796a
9. His life at homeSahih Muslim 659 · Sahih al-Bukhari 4913
10. Barley breadal-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 144 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 148 · Sahih al-Bukhari 5413
11. An invitation to a mealSahih al-Bukhari 5435 · Sahih al-Bukhari 5420
12. A'isha's planSahih Muslim 1474b
13. Meat, vinegar and oilSahih al-Bukhari 5408 · Sahih Muslim 2052a · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 156
14. Before and after eatingSahih al-Bukhari 5376 · Sahih Muslim 2021
15. Fingers, the dish and the end of the mealSahih Muslim 2032c · Sahih Muslim 2033b · Sahih al-Bukhari 5458
16. How he drankSahih Muslim 2027d · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 209 · Sahih al-Bukhari 5615
17. His drinking cupal-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 194 · Sahih al-Bukhari 3109 · Sahih al-Bukhari 5638
18. A gift, not charitySahih al-Bukhari 2585 · Sahih al-Bukhari 2576 · Sahih al-Bukhari 2577
19. His ringSahih Muslim 2091e · Sahih al-Bukhari 5868 · Sahih al-Bukhari 5866
20. His clothesSahih al-Bukhari 3108 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 61 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 68
21. His sandalsal-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 77 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 80 · Sahih Muslim 2099b
22. His walk and how he lay downal-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 122 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 124 · Sahih Muslim 2100a
23. When he went to sleepSahih al-Bukhari 6314 · Sahih Muslim 2715 · Sahih al-Bukhari 5017
24. Bedtime words he taughtSahih al-Bukhari 247 · Sahih Muslim 2712
25. His night prayerSahih Muslim 736a · Sahih al-Bukhari 1123 · Sahih al-Bukhari 1147
26. 'A'isha on his night prayerSahih Muslim 746a
27. His recitationSahih al-Bukhari 5046 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 316 · Sahih al-Bukhari 769
28. His tearsSahih al-Bukhari 1285 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 324 · Sahih al-Bukhari 1304
29. His voluntary fastingSahih al-Bukhari 1969 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 301 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 303 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 306
30. Fasting without a breakSahih al-Bukhari 1963 · Sahih al-Bukhari 1966 · Sahih al-Bukhari 1922
31. Fasting on until the crescentSahih Muslim 1105 · Sahih al-Bukhari 1965 · Sahih Muslim 1104b
32. His cuppingSahih al-Bukhari 5696 · al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya 361

Start the 32 lessons in Learn

In this part of the Seerah: His character, family and companions

• The Mothers of the Believers and the children of the Prophet ﷺ20 questions · 16 lessons
• The Companions in the events of the Seerah20 questions · 27 lessons
• The miracles of the Prophet ﷺ in sahih hadith20 questions · 12 lessons

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