Description of the Prophet (SAW) #1
by Imâm Abû ‘Isâ at-Tirmidhî (d. 279 AH / n/a CE)

With Annotated Notes from the Commentaries of al-Hāfidh al-Munāwī (d. 1003H) «M» and Mullā ‘Alī al-Qārī (d. 1014H) «Q»

With the Name of Allâh, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful

al-Hâfidh Abû ‘Isâ Muhammad bin ‘Isâ bin Sawrah at-Tirmidhî said:
Chapter One
The Stature and Physical Characteristics of the Messenger of Allâh (SAW)
§1. Abû Rajâ’, Qutaybah bin Sa’îd informed us; from Mâlik bin Anas; from Rabî’ah bin Abû ‘Abdur-Rahmân; that he heard Anas bin Mâlik (RA) saying,

The Messenger of Allâh (SAW) was neither very tall, such that he would be clearly noticed, nor was he short. He was not extremely white and neither was he very brown. His hair was neither very curly nor completely straight.
Allâh commissioned him towards the end (ra’s) of his fortieth year. He remained in Mecca for ten yearsand in Madînah for ten years. Allâh caused him to pass away at the turn of his sixtieth yearand there were not to be found [as much as] twenty white hairs on his head and beard.

* The Messenger of Allâh (SAW) was neither very tall, such that he would be clearly noticed, nor was he short

«Q» Meaning that he was of medium height. His being short has been categorically negated but only his being so tall as to be clearly noticed has been negated, in this lies an indication that he (SAW) was indeed of medium height but leaning towards being described as tall and this is what has been reported about him (SAW) by al-Bayhaqî. There is no contradiction between this and the forthcoming description that he (SAW) was of medium stature because such a statement is relative. This understanding is strengthened by the report of al-Barâ’a, ‘he (SAW) was of medium stature but closer to being described as tall.’ al-Bayhaqî and ibn ‘Asâkir mention that, ‘none would be perceived to be taller than he (SAW), sometimes two tall men would stand on either side of him and he would seem taller than them, yet when they parted he would seem to be of medium height.’ Ibn Saba’, al-Khasâ’is, mentions that when he (SAW) sat, his shoulder was higher than all those sitting around him. It is said in explanation to this, ‘perhaps it was that none could be perceived to be physically above him just as none was spiritually and morally above him.’

(more…)