40 Authentic Hadiths Regarding the Characteristics of the Prophet ﷺ
✍ Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
Praise to Allah
إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله . أما بعد:
Translation:
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide him, and whomever He lets go astray, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger. To proceed:
The Selection of the Prophet ﷺ from the Best Lineage of Mankind
Quranic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ﴾
(البقرة: 253)
Translation:
Allah Almighty said:
“These are the Messengers; We gave superiority to some of them over others. Among them were those with whom Allah spoke, and some of them He raised in rank. And We gave ‘Īsā, the son of Maryam, clear proofs, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit (Jibreel).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:253)
Hadith 1
عن وائلة بن الاسقع يقول: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: إن الله اصطفى كنانة من ولد اسمعيل، واصطفى قريشا من كنانة ، واصطفى من قريش بني هاشم ، واصطفاني من بني هاشم.
صحیح مسلم، کتاب الفضائل، رقم: 2276
Translation:
Narrated by Wa’ila bin al-Asqa‘ رضي الله عنه: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“Indeed Allah chose Kinānah from the descendants of Ismā‘īl, and chose Quraysh from Kinānah, and chose Banū Hāshim from Quraysh, and chose me from Banū Hāshim.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues, Hadith 2276)
Hadith 2
وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: بعثت من خير قرون بني آدم قرنا فقرنا حتى كنت من القرن الذى كنت فيه.
صحيح البخارى، كتاب المناقب، رقم: 3557
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“I was sent from the best of the generations of the children of Adam, one generation after another, until I was sent in the generation in which I am.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Virtues, Hadith 3557)
Hadith 3
وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن مثلي ومثل الأنبياء من قبلى كمثل رجل بنى بيتا فأحسنه وأجمله إلا موضع لبنة من زاوية فجعل الناس يطوفون به ويعجبون له ويقولون: هلا وضعت هذه اللبنة؟ قال: فأنا اللبنة، وأنا خاتم النبيين.
صحيح البخاري، المناقب، رقم: 3535 ، صحیح مسلم، الفضائل، رقم: 5961
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“My example and the example of the prophets before me is that of a man who built a beautiful and complete house except for the place of one brick in a corner. The people would go around it, admire it and say: ‘If only this brick were placed.’ I am that brick, and I am the Seal of the Prophets.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Virtues, Hadith 3535; Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues, Hadith 5961)
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ آيَاتٍ مُّبَيِّنَاتٍ وَمَثَلًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣٤﴾
(النور: 34)
Translation:
Allah Almighty said: “And indeed, We have sent down to you clear verses, and an example of those who passed away before you, and an admonition for the God-fearing.”
(Surah An-Nur, 24:34)
Hadith 4
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : ما من الأنبياء نبي إلا أعطى ما مثله آمن عليه البشر، وإنما كان الذى أوتيت وحيا أوحاه الله إلى ، فأرجو أن أكون أكثرهم تابعا يوم القيامة.
صحيح البخارى، فضائل القرآن، رقم: 4981؛ صحیح مسلم، الإيمان، رقم: 385
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet ﷺ said: “There was no prophet among the prophets except that he was given signs because of which people believed. What I have been given is revelation which Allah has revealed to me, and I hope to have the most followers among them on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of the Qur’an, 4981; Sahih Muslim, Faith, 385)
Hadith 5
وعن جابر بن عبد الله أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: أعطيت خمسا لم يعطهن أحد قبلى نصرت بالرعب مسيرة شهر ، وجعلت لي الأرض مسجدا وطهورا ، فأيما رجل من أمتي أدركته الصلاة فليصل، وأحلت لى المغانم ولم تحل لأحد قبلي ، وأعطيت الشفاعة، وكان النبى يبعث إلى قومه خاصة وبعثت إلى الناس عامة.
صحيح البخارى، التيمم، رقم: 335؛ صحیح مسلم، المساجد، رقم: 1163
Translation:
Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdillah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet ﷺ said: “I have been given five things which were not given to anyone before me: I was supported with awe (cast into the hearts of my enemies) from a distance of one month’s journey; the earth has been made for me a place of prostration and a means of purification, so any man of my Ummah who reaches the time of prayer should pray; spoils of war were made lawful for me which were not lawful for anyone before me; I have been granted intercession; and every prophet used to be sent to his people specifically, whereas I have been sent to all mankind.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Tayammum, 335; Sahih Muslim, Mosques, 1163)
Hadith 6
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: فضلت على والله الأنبياء بسي: أعطيت جوامع الكلم، ونصرت بالرعب، وأحلت لي الغنائم، وجعلت لي الأرض طهورا ومسجدا، وأرسلت إلى الخلق كافة ، وختم بي النبيون.
صحیح مسلم، كتاب المساجد ومواضع الصلاة، رقم: 1167؛ مسند أحمد: 2/501
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “By Allah, I was given superiority over the prophets in six matters: I have been given concise, comprehensive speech; I was supported with awe; spoils of war were made lawful for me; the earth was made for me a purifier and a place of prayer; I was sent to all creation; and with me the prophets were sealed.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, 1167; Musnad Ahmad 2/501)
Hadith 7
وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ قال: قال رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : نصرت بالرغب، وأوتيت جوامع الكلم، وجعلت لي الأرض مسجدا وطهورا، وبينا أنا نائم أوتيت بمفاتيح خزائن الأرض فتلت فى يدي.
صحيح مسلم، كتاب الإيمان، رقم: 1168
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I was supported with awe; I was given concise, comprehensive speech; the earth was made for me a place of prayer and a purifier; and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the earth were brought to me and placed in my hand.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, 1168)
Hadith 8
وعن ثوبان رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الله زوى لى الأرض ، فرأيت مشارقها ومغاربها ، وإن أمتي سيبلغ ملكها ما زوي لى منها ، وأعطيت الكنزين الاحمر والابيض ، وإني سألت ربي لأمتي أن لا يهلكها بسنة عامة ، وأن لا يسلط عليهم عدوا – من سوى أنفسهم – فيستبيح بيضتهم، وإن ربي قال : يا محمد إني إذا قضيت قضاء فإنه لا يرد، وإني أعطيتك لأمتك ان لا أهلكهم بسنة عامة ، وأن لا أسلط عليهم عدوا من سوى أنفسهم يستبيح بيضتهم ولو اجتمع عليهم من بأقطارها أو قال من بين أقطارها حتى يكون بعضهم يهلك بعضا ويسبى بعضهم بعضا.
صحیح مسلم، الفتن، رقم: 7258
Translation:
Narrated by Thawban رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah folded up the earth for me, so I saw its eastern and western extents, and the dominion of my Ummah will reach as far as what was folded up for me. I was given the two treasures—the red and the white. I asked my Lord for my Ummah that He not destroy them with a widespread famine, and that He not set over them an enemy from other than themselves who would annihilate them completely. My Lord said: ‘O Muhammad, when I decree a matter, it is not reversed. I have granted you for your Ummah that I will not destroy them with a widespread famine, and I will not set over them an enemy from other than themselves who would annihilate them—even if those from all horizons were to gather against them—until they begin to destroy one another and take one another captive.’”
(Sahih Muslim, Trials and Tribulations, 7258)
The Beginning of Revelation
Hadith 9
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها أنها قالت: أول ما بدء به رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من الوحي الرؤيا الصادقة فى النوم... (full Arabic text as given above)
صحيح البخارى، بدء الوحي، رقم: 3؛ كتاب التعبير، رقم: 6982؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 403
Translation:
Narrated by Aishah رضي الله عنها: The beginning of the Divine Revelation to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through true dreams in sleep. Whatever dream he saw came like the brightness of dawn. Then solitude was made beloved to him, so he used to seclude himself in the cave of Hira’, where he worshipped for many nights, bringing provisions before returning to Khadijah رضي الله عنها for more supplies. Then the truth descended upon him while he was in Hira’. The Angel came to him and said: “Read.” He ﷺ replied: “I am not one who reads.” He (the Angel) seized me and pressed me so hard that I felt distressed, then released me and said: “Read.” I said: “I am not one who reads.” He seized me again and pressed me until I felt distressed, then released me and said: “Read.” I said: “I am not one who reads.” He seized me a third time and pressed me, then released me and said:
﴿اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ ... عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ﴾ (العلق: 1–5)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned with this revelation while his heart was trembling. He came to Khadijah رضي الله عنها and said: “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him until his fear subsided. Then he said: “O Khadijah, what is wrong with me?” He told her what had happened and said: “I fear for my life.” Khadijah رضي الله عنها replied: “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You maintain ties of kinship, speak the truth, bear the burdens of the weak, honor the guest, and assist in noble causes.” Then Khadijah took him to Waraqah bin Nawfal, her cousin, who had embraced Christianity during the pre-Islamic period and used to write in Arabic from the Gospel as Allah willed. He was an old man and had become blind. Khadijah said: “O cousin, listen to your nephew.” Waraqah asked: “O my nephew, what did you see?” The Prophet ﷺ informed him. Waraqah said: “This is the same Namus (Angel Jibreel) who came to Musa. Would that I were young and alive when your people expel you!” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Will they expel me?” He said: “Yes, never has a man brought what you have brought but he was opposed. If I live to see that day, I will support you with all my strength.” But Waraqah soon died, and the Revelation ceased for a while.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3, 6982; Sahih Muslim 403)
Enduring Hardship in the Call to Islam
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ ﴿٥٥﴾
(غافر: 55)
Translation:
Allah Almighty said: “So be patient; indeed, the promise of Allah is true. And seek forgiveness for your sin, and glorify the praises of your Lord in the evening and the morning.”
(Surah Ghafir, 40:55)
Hadith 10
وعن عبد الله قال: بينما رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قائم يصلى عند الكعبة... (full Arabic text as given above)
صحيح البخارى، الصلاة، رقم: 520؛ صحیح مسلم، رقم: 4649
Translation:
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه: While the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was praying near the Ka‘bah and Quraysh were sitting in their gatherings, one of them said: “Do you not see this show-off? Who among you will bring the dung, blood, and entrails of the camel of so-and-so and place them on his back when he prostrates?” The most wretched among them went, brought it, and when the Prophet ﷺ prostrated, he placed it between his shoulders. The Prophet ﷺ remained in prostration while they laughed so much that they fell upon one another. Someone went to Fatimah رضي الله عنها, who was a young girl, and she hurried to the Prophet ﷺ and removed it from him, then turned to rebuke them. When the Prophet ﷺ finished the prayer, he invoked against them: “O Allah, destroy Quraysh! O Allah, destroy Quraysh! O Allah, destroy Quraysh!” Then he named them: “O Allah, destroy ‘Amr bin Hisham, Utbah bin Rabi‘ah, Shaybah bin Rabi‘ah, al-Walid bin ‘Utbah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, ‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu‘ayt, and ‘Umarah bin al-Walid.” Ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه said: “By Allah, I saw them slain on the Day of Badr, then they were dragged into the pit of Badr. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then said: ‘The cursed ones of the pit have been destroyed.’”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 520; Sahih Muslim 4649)
Hadith 11
وعن عروة بن الزبير قال: قلت لعبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص : أخبرني بأشد ما صنع المشركون برسول الله... (full Arabic text as given above)
صحيح البخارى، التفسير، رقم: 4815
Translation:
Narrated by ‘Urwah bin al-Zubair رحمه الله: I asked ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘As رضي الله عنه: “Tell me of the most severe thing the idolaters did to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” He said: “While the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was praying in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah, ‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu‘ayt came and seized his shoulder, wrapped his garment around his neck, and strangled him severely. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه came, seized his shoulder, pushed him away from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: ﴿أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلًا أَن يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَاءَكُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ﴾ ‘Do you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allah, while he has come to you with clear signs from your Lord?’”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Tafsir, 4815)
Hadith 12
وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ قال: قال أبو جهل هل يعفر محمد وجهه بين أظهركم؟... (full Arabic text as given above)
صحيح مسلم، صفات المنافقين، رقم: 7065
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Abu Jahl said: “Does Muhammad put his face on the ground (in prostration) before you?” It was said: “Yes.” He said: “By al-Lāt and al-‘Uzzā, if I see him doing that, I will crush his neck, or I will rub his face in the dust.” He then came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was praying, intending to put his foot on his neck. But suddenly he turned back, retreating, shielding himself with his hands. It was said to him: “What is the matter with you?” He said: “Between me and him there is a trench of fire, fearsome things, and wings.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If he had come near me, the angels would have torn him apart, limb by limb.”
(Sahih Muslim, Traits of the Hypocrites, 7065)
Hadith 13
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها زوج النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم حدثته: أنها قالت لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يارسول الله هل أتى عليك يوم كان أشد من يوم أحد... (full Arabic text as given above)
صحيح مسلم، الجهاد، رقم: 4653؛ صحيح البخاري، رقم: 3231
Translation:
Narrated by Aishah رضي الله عنها, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ: She asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah, has there come upon you a day harder than the day of Uhud?” He said: “I have suffered at the hands of your people, and the hardest that I faced was on the day of ‘Aqabah (in Ta’if), when I presented myself to Ibn ‘Abd Yālīl bin ‘Abd Kulāl, but he did not respond to what I sought. So I departed, greatly distressed, and did not regain consciousness until I was at Qarn al-Tha‘ālib. I lifted my head and saw a cloud shading me, and in it was Jibreel. He called me and said: ‘Indeed, Allah has heard the words of your people and what they replied to you, and He has sent to you the Angel of the Mountains for you to command him as you wish regarding them.’ The Angel of the Mountains greeted me and said: ‘O Muhammad, Allah has heard what your people said to you. I am the Angel of the Mountains. My Lord has sent me to you so that you may order me as you wish. If you wish, I will crush them between the two mountains.’ But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Rather, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their descendants those who will worship Allah alone, not associating anything with Him.’”
(Sahih Muslim 4653; Sahih al-Bukhari 3231)
Signs of Prophethood
Hadith 14
وعن جابر بن سمرة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إني لأعرف حجرا بمكة كان يسلم على قبل أن أبعث إني لاعرفه الآن.
صحيح مسلم، الفضائل، رقم: 5939
Translation:
Narrated by Jabir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“I know a stone in Makkah that used to greet me before I was sent (as a prophet). I still recognize it now.”
(Sahih Muslim, Virtues, 5939)
Hadith 15
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: جاء ذئب إلى راعي غنم فأخذ منها شاة... (full Arabic text as above)
مصنف عبد الرزاق، رقم: 20808؛ مسند أحمد: 2/36 — graded Sahih by Ahmad Shakir
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: A wolf came to a shepherd and took a sheep from his flock. The shepherd pursued it until he rescued the sheep. The wolf then climbed a hill, sat, and said: “You snatched away a provision that Allah gave me.” The shepherd exclaimed: “By Allah! I have never seen anything like this day—a wolf speaking!” The wolf said: “Shall I tell you something more astonishing than this? There is a man between the two lava fields (mountains) in the area of palm groves (meaning in Madinah), who informs you about what has passed and what is to come.” That shepherd, who was a Jew, came to the Prophet ﷺ, told him, and accepted Islam. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed his story, then said: “These are among the signs before the Hour. A man will go out, and before he returns, his sandals and his whip will inform him of what his family did after him.”
(Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaq 20808; Musnad Ahmad 2/36 — graded Sahih by Ahmad Shakir)
Hadith 16
وعن معن بن عبد الرحمن قال: سمعت أبى قال: سألت مسروقا: من آذن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بالجن ليلة استمعوا القرآن؟ فقال: حدثني أبوك يعني عبد الله أنه آذنت بهم شجرة.
صحيح البخارى، فضائل الصحابة، رقم: 3859؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 1011
Translation:
Narrated by Ma‘n bin ‘Abdur-Rahman, from his father: I asked Masruq (a Tabi‘i): “Who informed the Prophet ﷺ about the jinn on the night they listened to the Qur’an?” He replied: “Your father (i.e., Abdullah bin Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه) told me that a tree informed him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3859; Sahih Muslim 1011)
Hadith 17
وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أن أهل مكة سألوا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يريهم آية فأراهم القمر شفتين حتى رأوا حراء بينهما.
صحيح البخاري، مناقب الأنصار، رقم: 3868؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 7076
Translation:
Narrated by Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه: The people of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to show them a sign, so he showed them the splitting of the moon into two halves until they saw Mount Hira’ between them.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3868; Sahih Muslim 7076)
The Night Journey (Al-Isra’ wa al-Mi‘raj)
Qur’anic Verses
- قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ﴾
(الإسراء: 1)
Translation:
“Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We might show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
(Surah al-Isra, 17:1)
- وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ ﴿١﴾ مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ ﴿٢﴾ وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ ﴿٣﴾ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ ﴿٤﴾ عَلَّمَهُ شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ ﴿٥﴾ ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَاسْتَوَىٰ ﴿٦﴾ وَهُوَ بِالْأُفُقِ الْأَعْلَىٰ ﴿٧﴾ ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ ﴿٨﴾ فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ ﴿٩﴾ فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَىٰ ﴿١٠﴾ مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰ ﴿١١﴾ أَفَتُمَارُونَهُ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ ﴿١٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ ﴿١٣﴾ عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَىٰ ﴿١٤﴾ عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ ﴿١٥﴾ إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ ﴿١٦﴾ مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ ﴿١٧﴾ لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَىٰ ﴿١٨﴾
(النجم: 1–18)
Translation:
“By the star when it descends! Your companion has neither strayed nor erred, nor does he speak from desire. It is nothing but revelation revealed, taught to him by one mighty in power, one of great strength, and he stood poised while he was in the highest horizon. Then he drew near and came closer, until he was two bow-lengths away or nearer. Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed. The heart did not deny what it saw. Will you then dispute with him about what he saw? Indeed, he saw him another time, by the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary—near it is the Garden of Refuge—when that which enshrouded the Lote Tree enshrouded it. The sight did not swerve nor transgress. Indeed, he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord.”
(Surah an-Najm, 53:1–18)
Hadith 18
وعن مالك بن صعصعة: أن نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حدثهم عن ليلة أسري به... (full Arabic text as above)
صحيح البخاري، مناقب الأنصار، رقم: 3887؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 416
Translation:
Narrated by Malik bin Sa‘sa‘ah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet ﷺ related to them the account of the Night Journey:
“I was lying in al-Hatim (or al-Hijr) when someone came and split open (my chest) from here to here…” (Full detailed translation of cleansing of chest, buraq, ascension to the seven heavens, meeting with prophets Adam, Yahya, ‘Isa, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa, and Ibrahim عليهم السلام, reaching Sidrat al-Muntaha, being shown rivers, al-Bayt al-Ma‘mur, being given the command of fifty prayers, and their reduction to five after Musa’s advice until Allah decreed: “My decree is established, and I have lightened the burden upon My servants.”)
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3887; Sahih Muslim 416)
Hadith 19
وعن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: لما كذبتني قريس قمت فى الحجر فجلا الله لى بيت المقدس ، فطفقت أخبرهم عن آياته وأنا أنظر إليه.
صحيح البخارى، التفسير، رقم: 4815؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 428
Translation:
Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdillah رضي الله عنه: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“When Quraysh belied me, I stood in al-Hijr, and Allah displayed Bayt al-Maqdis before me, so I began describing its signs to them while I was looking at it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 4815; Sahih Muslim 428)
During the Hijrah
Hadith 20
وعن أنس عن أبى بكر رضي الله عنه قال: قلت للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وأنا فى الغار لو أن أحدهم نظر تحت قدميه لأبصرنا فقال: ما ظنك يا أبا بكر باثنين الله ثالتهما.صحيح البخاری، رقم: 4663؛ سنن الترمذی، رقم: 3096
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه: When we were in the cave (during the Hijrah), I said to the Prophet ﷺ: “If one of them were to look under his feet, he would surely see us.” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two when Allah is the third of them?”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 4663; Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3096)
The Day of Judgment and the Special Status of the Prophet ﷺ
Hadith 21
وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أتي باب الجنة يوم القيامة ، فأستفتح ، فيقول الخازن: من أنت؟ فأقول: محمد فيقول بك أمرت لا أفتح لأحد قبلك.صحیح مسلم، كتاب الإيمان، رقم: 486
Translation:
Narrated by Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“On the Day of Resurrection I will come to the gate of Paradise and ask for it to be opened. The gatekeeper will ask: ‘Who are you?’ I will say: ‘Muhammad.’ He will say: ‘It is for you that I have been ordered not to open to anyone before you.’”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, 486)
Hadith 22
وعن أبى سعيد الخدري رضی اللہ عنہ أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما بين بيتى ومنبرى روضة من رياض الجنة، ومنبرى على حوضي.صحيح البخارى، الاعتصام بالكتاب والسنة، رقم: 7335؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 3370
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my Hawd (Cistern).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 7335; Sahih Muslim 3370)
Prophecy Fulfilled
Hadith 23
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: شهدنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خيبر، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لرجل ممن معه يدعى الإسلام: هذا من أهل النارصحيح البخاري، القدر، رقم: 6606؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 305
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at Khaybar, and he said regarding a man who claimed Islam: “This one is among the people of Hellfire.” When fighting began, the man fought fiercely and was badly wounded. Someone said: “O Messenger of Allah, the man you mentioned fought bravely in Allah’s cause and has been badly wounded.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, he is from the people of Hellfire.” This caused some Muslims to doubt. Soon after, the man felt the pain of his wounds, so he took an arrow from his quiver and killed himself. People rushed to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: “So-and-so has killed himself!” The Prophet ﷺ then said: “Bilal, make the call: None shall enter Paradise except a believer. Indeed, Allah supports this religion even with a sinful man.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6606; Sahih Muslim 305)
Hadith 24
وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال عطش الناس يوم الحديبية ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بين يديه ركوة فتوضأ منها ، ثم أقبل الناس نحوهصحيح البخاري، المغازي، رقم: 4152
Translation:
Narrated by Jabir رضي الله عنه: The people became thirsty on the day of Hudaybiyyah while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had a water-skin before him. He performed ablution from it. The people came towards him, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked: “What is wrong with you?” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, we have no water for ablution or drinking except what is in your water-skin.” The Prophet ﷺ placed his hand into the water-skin, and water began to flow from between his fingers like springs. We drank and performed ablution.” I (Jabir) asked: “How many were you that day?” He said: “If we had been one hundred thousand, it would have sufficed us, but we were fifteen hundred.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Expeditions, 4152)
Hadith 25
وعن أبى هريرة أو عن أبى سعيد شك الأعمس قال لما كان يوم غزوة تبوك أصاب الناس مجاعةصحیح مسلم، الإيمان، رقم: 139
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah or Abu Sa‘id رضي الله عنهما (the narrator al-A‘mash was uncertain): On the day of the Battle of Tabuk, people were afflicted by hunger. They said: “O Messenger of Allah, would you permit us to slaughter our camels for food and oil?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do so.” Then ‘Umar رضي الله عنه came and said: “O Messenger of Allah, if you do that, our mounts will decrease. But instead, call them with whatever remains of their provisions, and supplicate Allah to bless it for them. Perhaps Allah will place blessing in it.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “That is good.” He called for a mat, spread it out, and asked them to bring what was left of their provisions. One brought a handful of barley, another brought some dates, another a piece of bread, until a small amount was collected. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ supplicated Allah for blessing, then said: “Take into your vessels.” They filled their vessels until no vessel in the army remained without being filled. They ate until they were satisfied, and there was still some left. The Prophet ﷺ said: “I testify that there is no deity but Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah. No servant meets Allah with these two without doubt, except that he will be prevented from entering Paradise.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, 139)
Hadith 26
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: هل ترون قبلتي ههنا؟ فوالله ما يخفى على خشوعكم ولا ركوعكم ، إني لا راكم من وراء ظهرى.صحيح البخارى، الصلاة، رقم: 418؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 958
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do you see my qiblah here? By Allah, nothing of your humility or your bowing is hidden from me. Indeed, I see you from behind my back.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 418; Sahih Muslim 958)
Hadith 27
وعن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه أن امرأة من الأنصار قالت لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا رسول الله ، ألا أجعل لك شيئا تقعد عليه؟صحيح البخاري، البيوع، رقم: 2095
Translation:
Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdillah رضي الله عنه: A woman from the Ansar said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah, shall I make something for you to sit on, as I have a carpenter servant?” He said: “If you wish.” She made a pulpit for him. On Friday, when the Prophet ﷺ sat upon it, the palm tree which he used to lean on for khutbah cried out until it was about to split. The Prophet ﷺ came down and embraced it, and it moaned like a child being calmed until it became still. He ﷺ said: “It cried because of what it used to hear of remembrance (dhikr).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Sales, 2095)
Hadith 28
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قلت يا رسول الله إني أسمع منك حديثا كثيرا أنساه ، قال: ابسط ردائكصحيح البخاري، العلم، رقم: 119
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, I hear many narrations from you but I forget them.” He ﷺ said: “Spread your cloak.” I spread it, and he scooped (with his hands) into it, then said: “Wrap it.” I wrapped it, and thereafter I never forgot anything I heard from him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, 119)
The Seal of Prophethood
Hadith 29
وعن السائب بن يزيد يقول: ذهبت بي خالتي إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت: يا رسول الله ، إن ابن أختي وجع
صحيح البخارى، الدعوات، رقم: 6352؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 6087
Translation:
Narrated by al-Sa’ib bin Yazid رضي الله عنه: My aunt took me to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: “O Messenger of Allah, my nephew is ill.” The Prophet ﷺ wiped my head and supplicated for blessing for me. Then he performed ablution, and I drank from his leftover ablution water. I stood behind him and saw the Seal (of Prophethood) between his shoulders; it was like the button of a tent curtain.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6352; Sahih Muslim 6087)
His Blessed Fragrance
Hadith 30
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: ما شممت رائحة قط مسكة ولا عنبرة أطيب من رائحة رسول الله ، ولا مسست شيئا قط خزة ولا حريرة ألين من كف رسول الله.
صحيح البخارى، الصوم، رقم: 1973؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 6053
Translation:
Narrated by Anas رضي الله عنه: I never smelled musk or ambergris more fragrant than the fragrance of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Nor did I ever touch silk or brocade softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1973; Sahih Muslim 6053)
Gentleness and Accepting Excuses
Hadith 31
وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قاعدا فى المسجد ومعه أصحابه، إذ جاء أعرابي قبال فى المسجد
صحيح مسلم، الطهارة، رقم: 661
Translation:
Narrated by Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting in the mosque with his companions when a Bedouin came and began urinating in the mosque. The companions said: “Stop! Stop!” But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do not interrupt him.” Then he called him and said: “These mosques are not suitable for urine or filth, but they are for the remembrance of Allah, prayer, and the recitation of the Qur’an.” He then ordered that a bucket of water be poured over the spot of urine.
(Sahih Muslim, Purification, 661)
His Courage and Bravery
Hadith 32
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أحسن الناس، وأجود الناس ، وأشجع الناس
صحيح البخاري، الأدب، رقم: 6033؛ صحيح مسلم، الفضائل، رقم: 6606
Translation:
Narrated by Anas رضي الله عنه: The Prophet ﷺ was the most handsome of people, the most generous of people, and the bravest of people. One night, the people of Madinah were frightened by a sound, so they went towards it, only to meet the Prophet ﷺ coming back. He had already gone ahead of them towards the sound. He was riding a horse belonging to Abu Talhah without a saddle, with a sword hanging from his neck, and he was saying: “Do not be afraid, do not be afraid.” He said: “I found it (the horse) to be like a sea (swift and powerful).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6033; Sahih Muslim 6606)
Hadith 33
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : والذي نفسي بيده لو أن عندي أحدا ذهبا
صحيح البخارى، التمني، رقم: 7228
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, if I had gold equal to Mount Uhud, I would not like three nights to pass while a single dinar of it remained with me—except what I would keep to repay a debt.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Wishes, 7228)
His Humility
Hadith 34
وعن عروة قال: سأل رجل عائشة ، هل كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعمل فى بيته ؟ قالت: نعم
مصنف عبد الرزاق، رقم: 20496
Translation:
Narrated by ‘Urwah (the Tabi‘i): A man asked Aishah رضي الله عنها: “Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do work at home?” She said: “Yes, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would mend his sandals, sew his garments, and do household work just as one of you does in his house.”
(Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaq 20496)
His Simplicity and Detachment from the World
Hadith 35
وعن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه قال: دخلت على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فإذا هو مضطجع على رمال حصير
صحيح البخاري، النكاح، رقم: 5191
Translation:
Narrated by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه: I entered upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was lying on a mat made of palm fibers. There was no bedding between him and it, and its marks were visible on his side. He was leaning on a pillow stuffed with palm fibers. I looked around his house, and by Allah, I saw nothing to catch the eye except three animal hides. I said: “O Messenger of Allah, supplicate to Allah to grant abundance for your nation, for the Persians and Romans have been given plenty while they do not worship Allah.” He ﷺ said: “O son of al-Khattab, do you have doubt about this? They are a people whose good things have been hastened for them in this worldly life.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5191)
The Prophet ﷺ in the Torah
Hadith 36
وعن عطاء بن يسار قال: لقيت عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنه قلت: أخبرني عن صفة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى التوراة
صحيح البخاري، البيوع، رقم: 2125
Translation:
Narrated by ‘Ata bin Yasar (Tabi‘i): I met ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘As رضي الله عنهما and asked him: “Tell me about the description of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Torah.” He said: “Yes, by Allah, he is described in the Torah with some of the qualities mentioned in the Qur’an: ‘O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness, a bringer of glad tidings, and a warner’. And as a refuge for the unlettered. You are My servant and My Messenger. I have named you ‘the one who relies (upon Allah).’ He is neither harsh nor hard-hearted, nor does he shout in the markets, nor does he repay evil with evil. Rather, he pardons and forgives. Allah will not take him until He straightens through him the crooked nation, so that they say: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.’ Through him, Allah will open blind eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2125)
The Prophet’s ﷺ Final Advice Before Death
Hadith 37
وعن أبى سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جلس على المنبر فقال: إن عبدا خيره الله بين أن يؤتيه من زهرة الدنيا... (full Arabic as above)
صحيح البخاري، مناقب الأنصار، رقم: 3904؛ صحيح مسلم، رقم: 6170
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat on the pulpit and said:
“A servant was given the choice by Allah between remaining in the world with whatever worldly goods he wished, or what is with Allah. He chose what is with Allah.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه began to weep and said: “May our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah.” We were surprised at him, and people said: “Look at this old man! The Messenger of Allah ﷺ informs us about a servant being given a choice, and he says: ‘May our parents be sacrificed for you.’” But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the servant who had been given the choice, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable of us about it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then said: “The person who has done me the greatest favor in his companionship and his wealth is Abu Bakr. If I were to take a Khalil (close friend) from my Ummah, I would have taken Abu Bakr as a Khalil. But the brotherhood of Islam is sufficient. Let no door remain open to the mosque except that of Abu Bakr.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3904; Sahih Muslim 6170)
Hadith 38
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من أشد أمتي لى حبا ناس يكونون بعدي
صحيح مسلم، صفة الجنة، رقم: 7145
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Among the most beloved of my Ummah to me are people who will come after me. Each of them would wish to see me even at the cost of his family and wealth.”
(Sahih Muslim 7145)
Love and Following the Prophet ﷺ
Quranic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾
(آل عمران: 31)
Translation:
Allah Almighty said:
“Say: If you truly love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”
(Surah Aal ‘Imran, 3:31)
Hadith 39
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : والذي نفس محمد فى يده، لا يسمع بي أحد من هذه الأمة
مسند أحمد، 2/317 — أحمد شاکر: صحیح
Translation:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, no one from this Ummah hears of me—whether he is a Jew or a Christian—then dies without believing in what I was sent with, except that he will be among the inhabitants of the Fire.”
(Musnad Ahmad 2/317; authenticated by Ahmad Shakir)
His Forbearance and Bravery
Hadith 40
وعن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال: قاتل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم محارب خصفة
المستدرك للحاكم، 3/30؛ وقال: صحيح
Translation:
Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdillah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fought the tribe of Muharib from Khasfah. During the battle, a man saw the Muslims inattentive and came with a sword, standing over the Prophet ﷺ, saying: “Who will protect you from me?” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Allah.” The sword fell from his hand, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ took it and said: “Who will protect you from me?” The man said: “No one. But I promise I will not fight you, nor will I be with those who fight you.” So the Prophet ﷺ let him go. He returned to his people and said: “I have come to you from the best of mankind.”
(al-Mustadrak al-Hakim 3/30 — Hakim said: Sahih)
Conclusion
وصلى الله تعالى على خير خلقه محمد وآله وصحبه أجمعين
Translation:
And may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the best of His creation, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions altogether.
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