Shamaail‐e‐Tirmidhi Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhelwi. The Shamaa‐il of Imaam Abu 'Eesa Timidhi has a (8th Jamadi‐uth Thaani 1344) collection of 397 ahaadith and is divided into 55 chapters on the physical description and character of our beloved Nabi Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. Shamaail‐e‐Tirmidhi Hijri 1344 Introduction All paise be to Allah who alone sustains the world. Exalted salaah (blessings) and complete salaam (peace) be on our master Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and his family and companions. The Shamaa-il of Imaam Abu 'Eesa Timidhi has a collection of 397 ahaadith and is divided into 55 chapters on the physical description and character of our beloved Nabi Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. It has been printed on numerous occasions and many commentaries have been written on it. The present English translation and commentary is of the Khasaa-il Nabawi Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam by the late Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahamatullahi 'Alayhi. It will enable a Muslim to achieve a link and connection with the one whom Allah Ta'aala has made as a mercy unto mankind, and most certainly Allah has spoken the truth when He mentions in His Book: "Verily, you (0 Muhammad) are of a very high (noble) character". A Muslim can truly claim his love for Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, if he attempts to follow the manner and life-style of the messenger of Islam. We are given such an opportunity, after the reading of this book, for it enlightens the reader with the intimate aspect of Rasul Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's life. Finally, we ask, Allah Ta'aala to reward us and that He instill within us the distinguished features and august character of this most Noble Messenger, who is the perfect example for Muslims. 2 Pray to Allah to shower his blessing on all those, who made the effort to bring you this book. Downloaded from www.TamilIslamicMedia.com Shamaail‐e‐Tirmidhi Hijri 1344 Preface This humble servant, at the request of my master Hadrat Maulana Khalil Ahmed Saahib,-May Allah fill his grave with nur and make his resting place cool - used to stay in Delhi quite often for a few days, to assist in the printing of is kitaab 'Badhlul Mjhud fi halli Abi Daawud'. There, a kind friend, Janab Muhammmd Uthmaan Khaan, urged me to write a short translation of the Shamaa-il Tirmidhi'. Owing to my shortcoming, I knew I was not capable of this. Also before this, I did not have an opportunity to either write a book or deliver a lecture. Janab Muhammad 'Uthmaan Khaan, however, did not accept any of my excuses, due to certain kind thoughts he held regarding me. By virtue of my shortcomings I would never have attempted this translation. Since he was a close friend of my late father and, being mindful of the hadith, 'The best relationship after a father's death is to treat his friends kindly', I did not have a way out but to present a short translation according to my understanding and thereafter, acknowleding my incapability to the readers, and asking them to forgive me for the complication of the sentences and the dispersion of words and request them to give attention to the aim, that is, the noble character, habits, qualities, virtues, attributes and practices of the emperor of the world, Sayyidina Bashr, Sayyidina Muhammadur Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam . A wise person, does not on account of an ugly and tattered veil, fail to pay attention to a beautiful face; and an understanding person does not, because of a bitter skin, throw away the delicious substance of a fruit. In this transalation a few things have been given special importance: a. Most of the sayings were taken from the writting of the great 'ulama of the past,thus I did not resort to my own views. b. Most of the references in this transalation are derived from the following books: 'Jam'ul Wasaa-il' of Mulla 'Ali Qaari Hanafi; 'Munaawi' of Shaykh 'Abdur-Ra-oof Misri; 'Mawaahib- Ladunniyyah' of Shaykh Ebrahim Bayjuri and 'Tah-dhibut Tah-dhib' of Haafiz Ibn Hajar 'Asqalaani. c. Since the translation is meant for the layman, literal meanings have been given . Word for word transalation has been avoided. d. In addition to the translation many things have been added to serve as a commentary. This has been written separately after the actual translation. e. At many places in the translation of the ahaadith additional information has been provided. f. Where there seems to be contradiction between two hadith, the differences have been briefly explained. 3 Pray to Allah to shower his blessing on all those, who made the effort to bring you this book. Downloaded from www.TamilIslamicMedia.com Shamaail‐e‐Tirmidhi Hijri 1344 g. The view of the different madhaa-hib have been mentioned briefly at places. The Hanafi mahd-dab has been specially mentioned as the majority of the local population (i.e the inhabitants of India ) adhere to this madh-hab. h. The proof that substantiate the Hanfis madh-hab have been mentioned briefly where deemed necessary. i. Where a battle or incident is mentioned in a hadith, the battle or incident is described in the commentary. j. Where the relation of a hadith to a chapter is not obvious, an explanation has been provided. k. To keep the subject matter brief, with regard to those incidents that have not been narrated herein, the readers have been referred to their original sources. The name of the kittab is given where they can be found in detail so that those who are interested may easily refer to them. l. Utmost care has been taken to keep the subject under discussion short and precise, as readers may become bored with lengthy discourses. And divine guidance to me is but from Allah, on Him do I rely and to Him do I return. Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhelwi. (8th Jamadi-uth Thaani 1344) 4 Pray to Allah to shower his blessing on all those, who made the effort to bring you this book. Downloaded from www.TamilIslamicMedia.com Shamaail‐e‐Tirmidhi Hijri 1344 THE NOBLE FEATURES OF RASULULLAH (SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WASALLAM) 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. Imaam Tirmidhi has collected from these about 400 ahaadith and divided them into fifty five chapters. In the first chapter fourteen ahaadith are quoted. (1) HADEETH NO. 1. Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) reports: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was neither tall nor was he short (like a dwarf--He was of medium stature). In complexion, he was 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). COMMENTARY. Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) used to stand up in a group, he 5 Pray to Allah to shower his blessing on all those, who made the effort to bring you this book. Downloaded from www.TamilIslamicMedia.com Shamaail‐e‐Tirmidhi Hijri 1344 appeared to be the tallest among them. This was not due to his hight, but was a result of a Mu'jizah (Miracle). In the manner that no one had reached a higher status than Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) 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 ahaadith, where it is stated that Sayyidina Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) lived there for thirteen years and attained the age of sixty three years.