The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 146
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 146 beautiful. He possessed a well balanced body. His skin was delicate and soft. His body and sweat discharged a delightful fragrance. He had a large head and was broad-chested. His hands and feet were relatively full of flesh. His palms were wide and his face was round. He possessed a broad forehead and a beautiful nose which appeared slightly risen. He possessed sparkling black eyes adorned with long eyelashes. He walked swiftly but in a dignified manner. His style of conversation was soft and gentle, such as if the listener desired he could count his words. In a state of anger, his face would turn red and in times of happiness it would gleam brilliantly. 1 A famous historian from England, Sir William Muir, makes mention of the appearance of Muḥammad sa in the following words: “His commanding mien inspired the stranger with an undefined and indescribable awe; but on closer intimacy, apprehension and fear gave place to intimacy and love” 2 Commercial Engagements As it has already been mentioned, Muḥammad sa had now reached the age of adulthood, and the time had come for him to enter into practical life. Moreover, since Abū Ṭālib’s financial state was not very stable; there was a genuine need for Muḥammad sa to enter into an occupation so as to lighten the burden of his uncle. Therefore, upon the desire and encouragement of Abū Ṭālib, Muḥammad sa began to work in trade and commerce. Numerous trade caravans would leave Makkah for diverse regions. Towards the south in Yemen and to the north in Syria formal trade had been established. In addition to this, commerce also took place with Baḥrain. Muḥammad sa travelled to all of these places for the purpose of commerce. 3 Every time Muḥammad sa would fulfill his obligations with remarkable honesty, trust, elegance and skill. In Makkah also, everyone who dealt with Muḥammad sa would frequently praise him. Accordingly, Sā’ib was a companion of the Holy Prophet sa. When he accepted Islām, people praised him before the 1 * Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Kitābul-Manāqib, Bābu Ṣifatin-Nabī sa , Ḥadīth No. 3547-3548 * Shamā’ilun-Nabawiyyah, By Imām Tirmidhī, Ḥadīth No. 8, Bābu Mā Jā’a fī Khalqi Rasūlillāhi sa , Dārul-Kutubil-‘Arabī, Beirut, (1998) 2 Life of ‘Mahomet’, By Sir William Muir, p. 27, London Smith, Elder & Co. 1978 3 Sīratun-Nabī sa , By Shiblī Nu‘mānī, Volume 1, pp. 109-110, Bāb Ḥudūd-e-Safar, Published by the Ḥudhaifah Academy, Urdu Bazār, Lahore (2000)