Syamail Muhammadiyah Hadith 1 - Hadith 13 ~ Ustaz Nazrul Nasir

Summary

Purpose and approach

The lecture opens a reading of Al-Shamā’il al-Muhammadiyyah, also referred to as Shamā’il al-Nabī. The collection, attributed to Imam al-Tirmidhi, describes the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ appearance, character, and habits.

Ustaz Nazrul Nasir says he previously studied the book with Shaykh Yusri. He intends to read it quickly, pausing to explain difficult words, details of hadith, and relevant context. His approach is to:

• Read the hadith text without reciting every narrator’s name in full.
• Explain unfamiliar wording and clarify how a reported action is understood.
• Compare different copies of the text, since manuscripts may contain variant or missing words.

He also explains a distinction in hadith wording: mithluhu indicates wording and meaning like a previous report, while nahwahu indicates similar meaning but different wording.

Topics and teachings discussed

The Prophet’s appearance and clothing

The lecture discusses a report describing the Prophet ﷺ wearing a red hullah, explained as a garment consisting of connected layers. The speaker notes that scholars differed over whether men may wear red. He presents the view that red is permissible, while very vivid or solid red may be treated differently.

The Prophet’s beauty and character

Citing a report from Jabir ibn Samurah, the speaker compares the Prophet ﷺ to the full moon and says that the Prophet was more beautiful and radiant. He emphasizes that the Prophet’s distinction was not only physical, but also included noble character and goodness.

The speaker says that reading descriptions of the Prophet can deepen love for him. He describes the Prophet as embodying qualities that inspire love—beauty, character, and kindness—and stresses that discussions about him should be conducted with respect.

Comparisons with other prophets

The lecture refers to reports comparing the appearances of the Prophet ﷺ, Prophet Yusuf, Musa, Isa, and Ibrahim. Musa is described as tall, with curly hair and a reddish complexion. Isa is compared with the Companion Urwah ibn Mas‘ud, and Ibrahim is said to resemble the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The speaker cautions against relying on pictures, directing listeners instead to descriptions in hadith.

Stories and other examples

The speaker recounts a story in which two Muslim envoys visit Heraclius and recognize an image they associate with the Prophet ﷺ. He contrasts Heraclius’s treatment of the Prophet’s letter with Kisra’s reported tearing of a letter. These are presented as narrated stories, not as independently examined historical evidence.

The lecture also mentions Jibril appearing in the form of Dihyah al-Kalbi and describes Jarir ibn Abdullah as exceptionally handsome. It ends during an anecdote about the ascetic Abdul Wahid ibn Zayd, who is said to have asked to see his future spouse in Paradise.

Speakers and sources

• Speaker: Ustaz Nazrul Nasir, the lecturer and reader.
• Primary text: Al-Shamā’il al-Muhammadiyyah, attributed to Imam Abu Isa Muhammad ibn Isa al-Tirmidhi.
• Scholars, teachers, and works mentioned: Shaykh Yusri; Imam al-Bukhari; Imam Abu Dawud and his Sunan; Imam al-Suyuti and Khasā’is al-Kubrā; Abd al-Majid al-Sharnubi; Shaykh Yasin al-Fadani; Ahmad Mamduh; and Imam al-Bayhaqi’s Dalā’il al-Nubuwwah.
• Narrators and other figures referred to: Jabir ibn Samurah, Aisha, Jabir ibn Abdullah, Jarir ibn Abdullah, Ali, Abu Bakr, Heraclius, and Kisra. The lecture also discusses the prophets Muhammad, Yusuf, Musa, Isa, Ibrahim, Ismail, and Adam, as well as Jibril and Dihyah al-Kalbi.