Stories from Early Islam — Page 43
The Prophet’s Personality and Character The life of no other religious Teacher or Prophet is so well recorded as the life of the Prophet of Islam. Soon after his death, his followers began to collect the sayings or statements made by or about the Prophet. A detailed account of his life has thus been handed down to us, so that we have a complete pic- ture of every aspect of his life. Such was the love and devotion that the Mess enger of Allah inspired in the minds and hearts of his followers that they eagerly watched his every movement and gesture, and paid great attention to every word and phrase he uttered. The faithful transmission of all that the beloved Prophet had said and the detailed description of all that he did and the manner of his doing it, became a most praise-worthy practice, and soon there developed a whole science of Tradition. From these Traditions, a modest attempt is made here to draw a pen picture of the Prophet, as he appeared to those among whom he moved as an intimate, affectionate companion, coun- sellor, com rade and friend. Let us see what sort of man he really was. We know what he looked like. He was a man of medium height, well built. His hair was black, and a bit curly. His com- plexion was fair and bright. He had a broad forehead. His beard was full. He walked briskly bending forward slightly.