The Beauty of Muhammad ﷺ: Reflections in Rabi’ al-Awwal (Jumu’ah Summary 5/9/25)
In the United Kingdom, the name Muhammad has been the most popular baby name for two consecutive years, despite Muslims constituting approximately 6.5% of the population. This phenomenon underscores a profound affection and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. But what is it that fuels this widespread love? As we find ourselves in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal – a month intimately connected with his birth, passing, and migration – let us reflect on one of these factors: the profound beauty of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Outer Beauty of the Messenger ﷺ
The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ frequently described his physical appearance with awe and reverence. These descriptions are more than mere admiration – they reflect a profound, almost obsessive love.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was so clean, clear, beautiful and handsome, as though his body was covered and moulded in silver. His hair was slightly curled.”
“I have not seen anything more beautiful than Allah’s Messenger ﷺ. The sun seemed to shine in his face.”
Jabir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) shared:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on a clear night while he was wearing a red-striped cloak. I turned my sight between him and the moon and, to me, he was more handsome and beautiful than the moon.”
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), who served the Prophet ﷺ for ten years, described:
“I never touched silk or brocade softer than the hands of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and I never smelt a fragrance more beautiful than the natural fragrance from the body of the Messenger ﷺ.”
He also reported:
“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 Sulaym, what is this that you are doing?’ Thereupon she said: ‘That is your sweat which we mix in our perfume and it becomes the most fragrant perfume.’”
The Inner Beauty – Character and Conduct
While the external beauty of the Prophet ﷺ is remarkable, his inner beauty – manifested through his mannerisms and conduct – is even more profound. Allah described him as being “upon the loftiest standards of character”. Known as al-Sadiq (the Truthful) and al-Amin (the Trustworthy), even his adversaries acknowledged his noble character.
Thumamah ibn Uthal, a chieftain of Banu Hanifah who initially harboured animosity towards Islam, was captured and tied to a pillar in the Prophet’s Mosque. Each day, the Prophet ﷺ approached him with kindness, inquiring:
“What do you have, Thumamah?”
Thumamah would reply that if you kill me, you have killed someone of noble blood (or someone who has blood on their hands), and if you show me clemency then you do so to someone who is grateful. Eventually, upon release, Thumamah accepted Islam – his change of heart attributed to the Prophet’s ﷺ exemplary conduct and the peaceful environment of the Prophet’s Mosque. He even later implemented a powerful economic boycott against the Quraysh, a prophetic precedent that echoes in the efforts undertaken by Muslims around the world today.
Zayd ibn al-Dathinnah, who was captured by the enemies of Islam and sentenced to death, was offered his freedom in exchange for the Prophet’s ﷺ life. Zayd declined, expressing that he would not wish for even a thorn to prick the blessed body of the Prophet ﷺ. This profound love and loyalty led to his martyrdom.
Imam Malik ibn Anas, while narrating Hadith, was stung by a scorpion sixteen times. Despite the excruciating pain, he did not flinch nor interrupt his narration despite the signs of discomfort being observed by his students. When later asked about why he did not interrupt the lesson when he was stung, he replied that he endured out of reverence for the words of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Cultivating Love for the Prophet ﷺ – The Three S’s
To deepen our affection for the Prophet ﷺ, consider the following practices that I call the Three S’s:
Seerah – Engage with authentic biographies of the Prophet ﷺ to understand his life, struggles, and virtues. The pious predecessors would teach the Seerah to their children just as they would teach the Qur'an.
Salawat (Sending Salutations) – Regularly invoke blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times.”
Each salutation is a means of gaining recognition by the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgement and a spiritual connection between you and him.
Sunnah – Love is expressed through action. Just as people follow celebrities or role models, our love for the Prophet ﷺ is manifested by following his example in daily life.
Conclusion
The enduring love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a testament to his unparalleled beauty and character. By studying his life, sending blessings upon him, and emulating his example, we can cultivate a love that transforms our hearts and strengthens our faith.