Introduction:
Allah subhanahu wa t’ala has made seeking knowledge a most virtuous act of ibadah. There is a hadith which states: ‘Whoever goes forth to seek knowledge, Allah facilitates their journey to Jannah.’ The most virtuous type of knowledge is knowledge of the Deen that is, knowledge of Allah and His Prophet salAllahu alayhi wasallam. One of the benefits mentioned is that even the fish in the oceans seek forgiveness for those who are seeking knowledge. We ourselves cannot perceive this but the creation of Allah respond to His servants.
Allah has said in the Qur’an (meaning of the translation): Remember me, and I will remember you.’
Imam Qurtubi comments on this verse: ‘Any act of ibadah is an act of remembrance.’
So why is it unusual for the fish to seek forgiveness for someone seeking knowledge when this seeking of knowledge is an act of remembrance?
The Shamail Tirmidhi
Many traditional scholars recite from and teach from this book in Rabi al-Awwal. We are today following a noble tradition; this book has many benefits and blessings.
The season of Rabi al-Awwal is a special time. There are certain times which are more blessed and virtuous than other times; this is one of them. There is wisdom in this as once we know about the special times from Allah we can avail ourselves through them. For example, Jumu’a is the master of the week days and not all hours are the same either – the last third of the night is the most special with Allah.
Also, not all places are equal with Allah and neither are all people the same. So there is a Best of Creation of Allah. Believers are superior to non-believers. Among the Prophets, there is the Best of Prophets – Muhammad saAllahu alayhi wasallam.
Imam Tirmidhi mentions the date and month of his, salAllahu alayhi wasallam’s birth- the 12th of Rabi al-Awaal on Monday in the Year of the Elephant. He says that there is wisdom behind the fact that he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was not born on a day or in a month that was already known to be of special significance. This is because if he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was born in Ramadan, for example, people would have said 'Oh, he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) is special because of the month.' (etc...) And so the month of Rabi al-Awwal became special because of his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) birth; Mondays are now also special because of his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) birth. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) use to fast on Monday to show gratitude to his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) birth. This has become a special Sunnah day to fast.
Places are also different in significance, for example, Masajid are superior to other places. Amongst them, is masjid al-Aqsa, then masjid Nabwi and then the most blessed is masjid al-Haram. The Imam mentions that the grave of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) is the most sacred place more so than the Ka’aba because he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) is the Best of all Creation! (SubhanAllah!)
Imam ibn 'Ata 'illah (rahimullah) mentions that:
"Actions are lifeless forms but it is the presence of ikhlaas that gives them life. And the greater the sincerity with the action, the greater the life-giving spirit those actions are endowed with."
So how many actions started small but grew to benefit many other people?
This book is a book which received qabul from Allah because of the way the Ummah reacted to it. Imam Nawawi, for example, wrote his 40 ahadith book; his collection far supercedes the other books on hadith. Similarly, the Riyadh as-Saliheen has also received qabul and the 'ulema state that this is due to the tremendous ikhlaas he had. Imam Tirmidhi's book is one of the greatest examples of these books. (which have received qabul)
This is book is taken from the 'Sunan of Tirmidhi’; this book (Sunan of Tirmidhi) is from the six leading compilations of ahadith. Many scholars consider Imam Tirmidhi to be the successor of Imam Bukhari. Shamail Tirmidhi contains a particular type of hadith.
He collected 397 ahadith about the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam), all related to the seerah. Seerah is a generic term for any study on the life of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). Imam Tirmidhi's book focuses on his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) habits, lifestyle etc. This makes the book special because when we know this we can implement it into our lives. This goes beyond fiqh.
There are two types of Sunnah: 1) Sunnah of ibadah and 2) Sunnah in matters of customs. We must do the first type but the second type gives us the chance to follow the Companions because they did these things. They wanted to know every little detail, though it wasn't required, but their LOVE for him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) drove them to do it.
For example, when eating there is certain fiqhi issues but the fiqh doesn't require us to eat a particular food. But the companions of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) all copied his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) eating habits - even if they didn't like that certain food they would it. (SubhanAllah) It is this emulation which leads us to intense Love.
Imam Tirmidhi starts with physical features of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam), then habits, then seeing him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) in dreams. The latter is one of the tested benefits of the book. Shaykh al-Yaqoubi has seen him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) five times in his dreams after having taught this book.
This is truly a special book.
The Physical Characteristics
Anas (radiyAllahu anhu) narrates, 'He was not too tall, neither too short. He (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was of medium height, but closer to being tall then short.
However when the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was in a group of people and there were some taller he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) would stand out and seem taller. The Best of all the Creation of Allah. If you want to know Allah, then know Him through His Names and Attributes. It is the same with the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
He was neither exceedingly white nor brown but of medium colour. But there seemed to come from him a light. A hadith relates that if the companions in a dark room at night and the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) came in the room would become light. His complexion has been described but his face was brighter -- Noor al-Muhammadiyah (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
Have you ever noticed that with some people, they have a noor on their faces? They have good character; engage in a lot of dhikr etc. If that is the case of the followers of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) then what of the Sayyid Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasallam)?
Aminah, his mother, said that when she gave birth to him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) a light came from her. Scholars mention there is wisdom why he was born at night and not in the day.
A hadith also mentions that his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) hair was neither straight nor curly but slightly wavy. he would comb his hair and apply oil to it so it looked beautiful - this is the Sunnah. We should also groom ourselves well.
The Sahaba mentioned that the light that came from him was even more luminous than the moon at night. In poetry the moon signifies beauty; the comparison was made to show his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) beauty.
Yusuf (alayhis salam) was described as beautiful. In the Qur'an the story is illustrated that the wife of the king tried to seduce him. When the friends of the wife saw him they cut their hands. (SubhanAllah!) The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was even more beautiful than him but Allah veiled his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) beauty because people would not have been able to withstand it. This veil also meant that people reacted to him in different ways, for example the differences in the reactions of Abu Bakr (radiyAllahu anhu) and Abu Jahl. The veil was removed from those who loved him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
Ali (radiyAllahu anhu) mentions that he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) had broad shoulders, strong feet and he concludes by saying "I have never seen anyone, before him or after him, that could be compared to him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam)." This statement was made by many people who went to visit him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). Ali (radiyAllahu anhu) was mindful of what he said, as were all people of that time so when they said something they meant it.
"I have never seen anyone one who is loved more than the way his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) companions love him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam)." This is what Abu Sufyan (radiyAllahu anhu) said before he entered Islam.
After Isra and Mehraj when the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was at the Ka'aba telling the people what had happened, those of weak iman left their faith. A man went out and met Abu Bakr (radiyAllahu anhu) and told him what he had heard from the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) and Abu Bakr (radiyAllahu anhu) then said "I believe that and anything more that he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) says." Ali (radiyAllahu anhu) also said this.
Jabir (radiyAllahu anhu) said I once saw him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) on the night of a full moon and on that night he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) wore red clothing. The moon was full [the middle of the month: it is Sunnah to fast these days] and I looked at the moon then looked at his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) face, and then the moon and then his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) face again." He came to the conclusion that his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) face was more radiant and beautiful than the full moon.
His (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) walk: He (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) walked with a firm step, not displaying any sense of weakness. When he walked it was as if the earth was being rolled out in front of him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). His walk was smooth although the paths of Makkah were rough. If it was very hot in the day the clouds would come to shade him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) (SubhanAllah!); this was noticed even before prophet hood. The sahaba were walking with the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) and heard "Ashahadu anaka RasoolAllah" and the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) said that the rocks and trees were testifying to his prophet hood (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). (Ashahadu anaka RasoolAllah: I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah).
[On the day of 'Eid salah the rocks will testify about the person walking to the masjid and making takbir; this is why another route is taken on the way back from the masjid. After praying Fardh salah then it is better to move to another spot for the Sunnah as the earth will testify to the sajda that we make.]
Imam Tirmidhi stated that it is not possible to love the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) too much, no matter how much we love him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). What is even more brilliant? That none of us could ever regret showing love for the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
Abdullah ibn abbas (radiyAllahu anhu): The teeth of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) were spread out. There were gaps between his teeth and when he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) smiled the sahaba would notice light coming from the gaps (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
The Character of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam)
He (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) would make everyone comfortable.
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) is a gift from Allah to us. "I am the response to the du'a of Ibrahim (alayhis salam)" states a hadith. It is mentioned in the Qur'an that Ibrahim (alayhis salam) made du'a outside the Ka’aba to send someone from amongst themselves to take care of his people. The 'ulema have mentioned that the greatest gift which can be received is the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
Think about the compliments that we are given, 'honesty', 'trustworthy' but this is only because of the way of life that we follow - that of the prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). He (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) reached the pinnacle of everything through the perfection of his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) character, he dispelled darkness through his light, therefore it becomes incumbent on us to send blessings on him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam, salAllahu alayhi wasallam, salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
'Aisha (radiyAllahu anha) states that his (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) character was the Qur'an. Some tabi'in came to her after the prophet's (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) death asking about the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). She said "What can I tell you? He was all wonderful, all of him was beautiful. How can I select some qualities, I cannot answer your request!" Meaning, that to select some virtues would mean some things about him were better than some of his other characteristics but of course, everything about the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) was wonderful.
A group of people came to Zaid ibn Harith and his father and requested a description of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). He (Zaid) said "What can I describe? I was his neighbour; I was close to him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). When the revelation came I would write it own. He always showed kindness to me and made us feel at ease."
Now, imagine you are in the presence of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam), you would be concerned about your adab and actions.
Zaid said, "Whatever we discussed he would discuss it as well, the dunya and the akhira."
However not in vain conversation, he would help them to identify the useful lessons they were discussing but he wouldn't stay out of it. The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) would point conversation into a useful direction. When the sahaba spoke of food, he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) did also, telling them of its benefits, harms, uses etc. (because of this the sahaba knew about all aspects of life). He (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) would say "Use olive oil for it comes from a blessed tree." [In fact, all food mentioned in the Qur'an has amazing benefits and this is what he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) would eat.]
He (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) would speak to the worst of people, he would not cut them off, and he would treat them well. This is because we demonstrate our good behaviour not because of the other person but because of what and who we are so we behave well with everyone. He would treat everyone so that they felt they were the favourite companion of the prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasallam); this is a miracle of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). It is difficult for us to achieve. [Notice even the name that he (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) chose - Sahaba - (not disciples, not followers but companions) was special and made them closer and increased their love.]
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This following hadith is known as the 'Hadith of Mercy' and is traditionally the first hadith that a Shaykh will teach his student. "The one who is merciful would receive mercy from Allah. Be merciful to those on this earth so that He (Allah) shows mercy to you." The Imam states that we show mercy in our relationships with others proportionate to the amount of mercy we receive from Allah. The more you show mercy to the creation the more mercy you receive from Allah. The greatest proportion of mercy was the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
Ana (radiyAllahu anhu) said "I served the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) for 10 years [Many of the 'ulema have stated that those who do service for the scholars will become scholars themselves or their children will.] He never once told me oof! he never asked me why I did not do something."
Oof! is an Arabic expression which indicates a slight displeasure. In terms of our parents - don't ever say oof! to them, lower to them the wings of your mercy. "If the parents are pleased with you, then Allah is pleased with you and if the parents are displeased with you then Allah is displeased."
When we look at ourselves we see that we do not show mercy yet we wish others and Allah to be merciful to us and we don’t show kindness yet we wish others and Allah to show kindness to us.
Imam Shafi'i states two types of ibadah: 1) where we benefit and 2) where others benefit. The second type earns more reward. Allah has prescribed different ibadah to help us with our remembrance of Him. Allah never becomes bored with us (in terms of reward) if we do not become bored with Him (in terms of ibadah). The Imam says that this is why there are different types of ibadah to stop us from getting bored - we have reciting Qur'an, salah, dhikr, du'a, talks, fasting, tahajjud, charity etc. - and so we can be in a continuous state of ibadah resulting in a continuous state of reward.
Conclusion
There was nothing offensive about the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam). At all.
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) never even sneezed. One of the companions had a sneezing problem and he drank from the prophet's (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) cup and after that he never sneezed again. The prophet's (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) sweat smelled of sweet musk.
Imam al-Busiri said
"Yes! He is a man but not an ordinary man
He is a prophet, RasoolAllah!"
(salAllahu alayhi wasallam)
If Allah permitted the tongue of a person to utter 'La ilaha ilAllah' then who are we to dishonour that person?
Hasan ibn Thabit said
"No eye has ever seen anything more beautiful than you.
And no woman has given birth to a person better then you."
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