hair of prophet muhamad s.a.w (shamaail tirmidhi)

8/14/2019 Hair of Prophet Muhamad s.a.w (Shamaail Tirmidhi)

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CHAPTER ON THE MUBARAK HAIR OF SAYYIDINA RASULULLAH (SAW)

There are many narrations on the length of the hair of Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) as has beenmentioned before. There is no contradiction as the hair is the thing that grows. If at onetime his hair reached the lobes of the ears, then another time it was longer. It also has been provedthat Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) shaved the hair of his head several times.

A person who relates about his mubarak hair at an earlier time states he had short hair. The one thatrelates it at a time later than that, states he had longer hair. Some of the ulama have concluded thatthe mubarak hair of Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW), above the forehead used to reach till half his ears,and the hair of the middle of his mubarak head was longer than that, and the hair of the back of thehead reached till near his shoulders. Imaam Tirmidhi has related eight ahaadith in this chapter.

(23) Hadith Number 1. Anas R.A. reported: "The hair of Rasulullah (SAW) reached till half of his ears".

(24) Hadith Number 2. Ayesha R.A. reported: Rasulullah (SAW) and I bathed in one utensil, and the mubarak hair of Rasulullah (SAW) was longer than those that reached the ear lobes, and were less than those thatreached the shoulders". (It means that they were not very long nor were they short, but of a mediumlength).

Commentary. It is not clear from this hadith if both bathed in a state of undress. Ayesha R.A. herself says: 'I didnot see the private parts of Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW), nor did he see my privateparts'. Also the using of water from the same utensil cannot prove this. There are many ways bothcould have bathed from the same utensil and yet not see the private parts of one another.

From this hadith we also learn of the bathing together of husband and wife. The ulama areunanimous in accepting Imaam Nawawi's saying that this is jaa'iz (permissible). Another method isthat the husband bathes first and the wife bathes after him with the remaining water. This is alsounanimously accepted by all. The third method is the opposite where the wife bathes first then thehusband bathes with the remaining water.

This method is accepted by the Hanafis, Shaafi'ees and the Maalikis. The Hunbalis says it is notpermissible, but if the husband is present and both bath together, then it is permissible. The prosand cons of this subject are very lengthy, therefore they have been omitted here. This subject havebeen mentioned briefly in Arabic commentary. Since a reputed Imaam opposes this, and this hasalso been mentioned in the hadith, it will therefore to better to abstain from it.

(25) Hadith Number 3. Baraa bin Aazib R.A. reports: "Rasulullah (SAW) was of average hight, and the portion between thetwo shoulders was wide. His hair was till his ear lobes".

Commentary. This hadith has been explained in the chapter on the mubarak features of Sayidina Rasulullah(SAW). Because of the hair is briefly mentioned here again.

back (26) Hadith Number 4. Qataadah bin Da'aamah As-Sadusi relates: "I asked Anas R.A., 'How was the hair of Rasulullah


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(SAW)?'. He replied: 'It was not very twisted, nor very straight. It had a slight twist and was a bitcurled, and reached till his ear-lobes'".

(27) Hadith Number 5. Umme Haani bint Abi Taalib R.A. says: "Rasulullah (SAW) came to Makkah once after the hijrah.His mubarak hair had four plaits".

Commentary. According to well-known sources Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) came to Makkah Mukarramah fourtimes after the hijrah. The first, at the time of Umratul Qadhaa in the 7th year hijri, then at the timeof Fathu Makkah in the 8th year hijri and in the same journey for Umratul Ja'iraanah. Lastly in the10th year hijri for Hajj. The journey mentioned in this hadith under discussion, according toBayjuri is at the time of Fath (conquest) of Makkah Mukarramah. The same has been stated in theMazaahire Haq. The Ulama have stated other times also.

For men to make plaits like women is Makruh. By the word Ghadaa'ir in this hadith, one shouldtake to mean that, 'in which that there is no similitude', because Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW)forbade himself.

(28) Hadith Number 6. It is reported from Anas R.A. that the hair of Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) reached till the middle of the ears.

(29) Hadith Number 7. Ibne Abbas R.A. says: "Rasulullah (SAW) used to leave his hair the way it naturally was, withoutmaking a path in the hair (parting hair). The reason being that the mushrikeen(polytheists) used to make a path in their hair, and the Ahlul Kitaab (People of the Book) did not doso. In the early periods Rasulullah (SAW) preferred to follow the Ahlul Kitaab, ratherthan others, in matters where no command had came from Allah. Later this was abrogated, andRasulullah (SAW) began apposing the ways of the Ahlul Kitaab after this".

(30) Hadith Number 8. Umme Haani R.A. reports: "I saw Rasulullah (SAW) with four side locks (on his hair)".

Commentary. Apparently this is the same hadith as has been quoted earlier.

CHAPTER ON THE COMBING OF THE HAIR OF SAYYIDINA RASULULLAH(SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WASALLAM)

It is mustahab to comb the hair. Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) has urged us todo so. He used to comb his own hair too. Imam Tirmidhi has written five Ahadith in this chapter.

(31) Hadith Number 1 Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu anha) says, "I used to comb the hair of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahualaihe wasallam), even when I was in the state of menstruation."

Commentary

The Ulama prove from this Hadith that it permissible for a woman in her periods to look after andserve her husband. Because of the menstruation the whole body of a woman does not become najis(naapak-unclean). It is forbidden to have intercourse with her during her menstruation.


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(32) Hadith Number 2 Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu anhu) reports, "Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) oftenrubbed oil in his head and also often combed his beard. He put a cloth over his head, which becamelike an oil cloth due to the frequent use of oil."

Commentary The clothing becomes oiled due to the use of oil, and this was against the noble habit of SayyidinaRasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), who liked cleanliness. He put a cloth over his head so thatthe amaamah (turban) etc. did not become stained.

(33) Hadith Number 3 Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu anha) says, " Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) liked tobegin with the right while combing his hair; while performing ablution (wudhu) and when puttingon his shoes. (Also in every other deed, he first began with the right then the left).

Commentary

This (beginning from the right) is not confined to the three acts mentioned in this Hadith.Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) began everything with the right, that is whyevery other deed' has been added in the translation of the Hadith. The basic rule is, that all thosethings that reflect dignity and elegance, while putting on these the right is preferred, and whenremoving them the left is begun with, as when putting on clothes, shoes etc. When one enters theMasjid, one enters with the right foot and leaves with the left foot first, as this is the place of dignityand greatness. Contrary to this, in those things that do not have elegance in them, for instance whenentering the toilet.

(34) Hadith Number 4 Hazrat Abdullah Mughaffal (Radiallahu anhu) reports, " Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihewasallam) prohibited the combing of hair, but allowed it to be does occasionally."

Commentary Qazi Iyaz says that occasionally means after every three days. In Abu Daud a Hadith has beenreported, wherein Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) prohibited the combing of hairdaily. The Ulama have written that it is prohibited at such times when there is no necessity for it,otherwise there is no harm in it. The prohibition is karahate tanzihi. It is specially for the hair thathas no dirt in it and does not need grooming. When the hair is dirty, there is no karaaha (i.e. notmakruh) in combing the hair daily.

(35)Hadith Number 5 Hazrat Humayd bin Abdurrahman (Radiallahu anhu) relates form a Sahabi that SayyidinaRasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) combed his hair occasionally.

THE APPEARANCE OF THE WHITE HAIR OF SAYYIDINA RASULULLAHISALLALLAHU ALAYHI WASALLAM

Imaam Tirmidhi has compiled eight ahaadith in this chapter.

(36) Hadith Number 1.

Qatadah R.A. reports: "I asked Anas R.A., 'Did Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)dye his hair?'" He replied: "The hair of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) did not reach sucha stage where one would use a dye.However Rasulullah (Sallallahu alihe wasallam) did have a few


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white hair on his temples, on the other hand Abu Bakr R.A. dyed his hair with Hina and Katm."

Commentary Katm is a type of grass, which is used for dying the hair. Some people say that the colour of Katmis black, and if mixed with Hina it becomes red. Others say the colour of Katm is green, and whenmixed with Hina it gives a black tint. Mulla Ali Qari says: 'The one that gives more colour isconsidered. If more Katm is used the dye becomes black and if more Hina is used, it becomes red'.The use of both colours are permissible, but black should not be used. It has been forbidden in theahaadith to use a totally black dye.

(37) Hadith Number 2. Anas bin Maalik R.A. reports: "I did not count more than fourteen white hair on the head and beardof Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)".

Commentary Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had very few white hair. There is somedisagreement on the actual number. In this narration fourteen hairs are mentioned. In others,seventeen, eighteen, and in some, twenty white hairs are mentioned. This is a minor disagreement.The other ahaadith may have been related at different periods. A difference in the counting mayalso be possible.

(38) Hadith Number 3. Jaabir bin Samurah R.A. was asked a question regarding the white hair of Rasulullah (Sallallahualaihe wasallam). He replied: "When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) oiled his hair, it(white hair) did not show. When he did not oil it, it showed".

Commentary Oil gives the hair a shine, therefore the white hair becomes indistinguishable from the other hair, orthey become compact and mixed, therefore the few whit hairs cannot be easily seen. When there isno oil the hair becomes dry and loose, and is easily seen.

(39) Hadith Number 4. Ibne Umar R.A. says: "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) had about twenty white hair".

Commentary As mentioned above this is not contrary to the other ahaadith.

(40) Hadith Number 5. Ibne Abbas R.A. reports: "Abu Bakr R.A. once said, 'O Messenger of Allah, you have become old'.(What is the reason? Due to this mild and soft temperament he ought to be young, and alsoaccording to his age he could be still called young). Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)replied: "The recitation of Surahs Hud, Waaqiah, Mursalat, Amma and Kuwwirah has made meold'".

Commentary Apart form these surahs the Surahs of Al-Haaqqah, Al-Qaariah, Al- Ghaashiah etc. have also beenmentioned. In short all those surahs wherein frightening matters are mentioned, e.g. Qiyaamah,(Day of judgement) Hell, the Trumpet, the punishment of evil people etc.

In hadith it is stated that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said: "If you knew what I know,you would laugh less and cry more. You would even stop going to your wives (or as he had said)".It is written in the Sharhus Sunnah that a person saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) in hisdream. He asked: "O Rasulallah, (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)! This hadith has reached me, that yousaid: 'Surah Hud has made me old'". Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) replied: "There is oneverse in it 'Wastaqim kama umirta' (Stay steadfast on the religion as I have commanded you). And


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it is well-known that to stay steadfast on the commandments of Allah is very difficult". That is whythe Sufiya have written that to remain steadfast is better than a thousand miracles.

(41) Hadith Number 6. Abu Juhayfa R.A. says: 'The people said: "O Rasulallah, (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)! we see thesigns of old age beginning to show on you?" Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihewasallam) replied: "Surah Hud and similar surahs have made me old".

Commentary It is related in a hadith that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) once came out of his house,wiping his hands on his blessed beared. Abu Bakr and Umar R.A. were sitting in the Masjid at thattime. When AbuBakr R.A. saw this he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother besacrificed for you. How early you have aged'. Then he began to weep. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihewasallam) said: "Surahs like Surah Hud have made me old".

Zamakh'shari says: "He read in a kitaab, that a person had pure black hairone evening, and duringthe night it became completely white. When the people enquired of this sudden change, he said:"At night, I saw Qiyaamah, in my dream. People were being pulled with chains and thrown intoHell. It frightened me so much, that within the night I became like this". Allah is Great.

(42) Hadith Number 7. Abu Rimtha Taymi R.A. says: "I went with my son to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam).(Probably he had not see Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) before). When I saw him I saidto myself immediately, 'This is the true Messenger of Allah'. At that time Rasulullah (Sallallahualaihe wasallam) was wearing two pieces of green clothing. (His lungi -sarong,waist-wrap- andshawl were both green). On a few hairs there were signs of old age, but those hair were red".

Commentary The signs of dignity, 'Anwaar-e- Nubuwwah'(prophetic illumination) and 'Aathari-Haybah' (signs of awe) were thus seen on the blessed face of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). When one seesthese signs, such words naturally come to one's tongue: "There is no doubt he is Allah's Messengerand cannot be false."

The ahaadith state that many Sahabah R.A. uttered such words when they first met Rasulullah(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam). The above Hadith also states that the hair of Rasulullah (Sallallahualaihe wasallam) was red. The ulama disagreewhether Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) dyedhis hair or not. Some are of the opinion that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) dyed his hairand they base their argument on the red hair. Others deny this and say that before the hair becomeswhite, it usually turns red. The redness was natural, and not that of a dye.

(43) Hadith Number 8. Jaabir bin Samurah R.A. was asked: "Were there any white hair in the blessed head of Rasulullah(Sallallahu alaihe wasallam)? He replied: 'He only had a few on the middle parting, and whenRasuullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) oiled his hair, they did not show'".

Commentary This narration seems to contradict the one related by Anas R.A., which has been mentioned in thebeginning of this chapter. There is no complication, as there were a few white hair in the parting,that used to be covered by other hair. When oil was not rubbed in, they became visible. Therefore,if this is not mentioned in any hadith, there is no complication or harm.

hair of prophet muhamad s.a.w (shamaail tirmidhi)

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