It is a fact that Allah Almighty, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, has bestowed the highest honor, dignity, and exaltation upon the leader of all prophets, the Noble Prophet Muhammad
. The virtues, characteristics, praiseworthy qualities, and attributes of the Holy Prophet
are beyond the full comprehension of men. Anyone with even a basic understanding of the lives and histories of the Prophets and Messengers
knows that Prophet Muhammad
holds unparalleled superiority amongst all of humanity.
In terms of physical appearance, Prophet Muhammad
was the most beautiful of all people. Thus, Allah Almighty, the Lord of the Universe deemed it worthy to reveal verses in the Quran that mention the blessed physical features of the Holy Prophet
.
Prophet Muhammad
had a deep desire for the Ka'bah to be designated as the direction of prayer (Qiblah). In anticipation of this, the Prophet
would often look up toward the sky, hoping that Allah Almighty would grant him the permission for the Ka'bah to become the permanent Qiblah for the Muslim Ummah until the Day of Judgment. It was in response to this heartfelt wish of the Beloved Prophet
that the Ka’bah was reinstated as the Qiblah of the Muslims 1 and following sacred verse was revealed:
قَدْ نَرَى تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَاهَا فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ… 1442
(O Beloved!) We have been watching your radiant face turning frequently towards heaven. So, We will indeed make you turn towards that Qibla (direction of Prayer) with which you feel pleased. So, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque now…
This blessed face was the face of mercy for all creations. If anyone saw this face this face with love and in the state of Imaan, he/she was blessed with the status of being a Sahabi/Sahabia (companion), and if some companions loved him more than others, they were elevated in status, like Abu Bakr
, Umer
, Usman
, Ali
etc. However, if anyone looked at him with hatred and evil eyes, then history is witness to the fact that they remained disbelievers 3 and are cursed till date and till the Day of Judgement.
The eyes of the Holy Prophet
were a source of immense light and insight, reflecting his unique spiritual connection with Allah and his deep understanding of both, the seen and unseen worlds. His blessed eyes were not only physically beautiful but also carried divine insight. The Holy Quran acknowledges the purity and unwavering nature of the Holy Prophet’s
vision. In Surah An-Najm, Allah Almighty states:
مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَى 174
His eye neither inclined aside nor overstepped the limit; (it gazed at Whom it was to gaze).
This verse refers to the miraculous night of Mi'raj (the ascension), when the Holy Prophet
was taken on a journey through the heavens. Despite witnessing divine signs and wonders that no human had seen before, his blessed eyes remained steady, perfectly in tune with the majesty and power of Allah. Unlike ordinary people, whose eyes instinctively turn away when looking at something as intense as the sun, the Holy Prophet
gazed upon the immense divine light without his vision faltering. 5 This steadfastness in the face of such a majestic and overwhelming sight is a testament to the unique spiritual strength and perfection of the Holy Prophet
. His blessed eyes, unlike any other, remained fixed and focused during this incredible manifestation of divine light, a reflection of his elevated station and unwavering connection to Allah.
The blessed tongue of the Prophet Muhammad
, through which the divine revelation was conveyed to humanity, holds immense significance in Islam. Just as the other blessed physical attributes of Prophet Muhammad
are honored and distinguished, so too is his blessed tongue, which has been mentioned in the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty states:
لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ 166
(O Beloved!) Do not move your tongue in a hurry (to learn the Quran by heart when it is revealed to you).
This verse reflects the deep sense of responsibility, the Holy Prophet
felt, when receiving the divine revelation. Out of love and devotion to Allah’s message, the Holy Prophet
would move his blessed tongue quickly, attempting to memorize and retain the words as they were revealed. However, Allah gently instructs him not to rush or worry about forgetting the revelation, assuring him that it is Allah's responsibility to ensure that the Quran would be preserved perfectly in his heart and mind. 7 Furthermore, whenever the Holy Prophet
transmitted the Holy Quran, or said anything regarding the fundamentals of the religion, he did not say it according to his will. Rather, all of it was transmitted as it was revealed upon him by Allah Almighty. 8
This divine instruction highlights not only the care Allah took in guiding His beloved Prophet Muhammad
but also the immense reverence associated with the Holy Prophet’s
tongue, which was chosen as the medium for transmitting the most sacred words of the Holy Quran to mankind. It also emphasizes the unique relationship between the Holy Prophet
and the Quran, with Allah taking direct responsibility for its preservation in his heart, alleviating any concern from the Holy Prophet
about retaining it.
The blessed chest is among the many virtues and qualities of the Holy Prophet
that are emphasized in the Holy Quran, which holds immense spiritual significance. In the Holy Quran, Allah directly references the expansion of the Holy Prophet’s
chest, revealing not only a physical and spiritual phenomenon but also a deeper connection between the Divine and His beloved Messenger
. In Surah Al-Inshirah, Allah Almighty reveals a profound favor upon Prophet Muhammad
, addressing him with these words:
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ 19
Have We not widened your chest for you (for the light of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual gnosis)?
This expansion was not merely physical. It encompassed spiritual and intellectual enlightenment, equipping the Holy Prophet
to bear the weight of his mission to guide humanity. Sharfuddin quotes Imam Raghib and states:
أصل الشرح بسط اللحم ونحوه، يقال: شرحت اللحم وشرحته، ومنه شرح الصدر، وهو بسطه بنور إلهي وسكينة من جهة اللّٰه وروح منه. 10
The root meaning of Sharh is to spread or expand something, such as flesh. It is said: "شرحت اللحم" (I spread the meat) or "شرحته" (I expanded it). From this comes the term "شرح الصدر" (the expansion of the chest), which means the spiritual expansion or opening of the chest with divine light, tranquility from Allah, and a soul at peace granted by Him.
According to Imam Tustari, this verse refers to a special gift (prophet hood) granted to the Holy Prophet
. 11 Al-Neshapoori adds that it also refers to the immense wisdom, light, and tranquility from Allah. 12
The concept of Sharh al-Sadr also appears in the prayer of Prophet Moses, where he requested Allah to expand his chest before embarking on the difficult task of confronting Pharaoh. The Hoy Quran states:
قَالَ رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي 2513
Moses prayed: ‘O my Lord, expand my chest for me’.
The request for the expansion of the chest by Moses shows the immense importance of this divine grace. However, in the case of Prophet Muhammad
, this blessing was granted without request, further elaborating the unique and elevated status of the Holy Prophet
. Allah gave him this gift of Sharh al-Sadr without him asking, reflecting his position as Allah's most beloved.
ChestAl-Razi suggests that the verse refers to an event related to the miraculous opening and the strengthening of the blessed chest of the Holy Prophet
. The angels came to him, slit his chest and washed his heart. This event prepared the Holy Prophet
for the great mission of prophethood and symbolizes the divine protection of his purity and integrity throughout his life. 14 The chest of the Holy Prophet
, therefore, became the vessel of divine light and wisdom, free from all traces of worldly corruption or imperfection. It was a reflection of his inner purity, strength and his unparalleled closeness to Allah.
The Quranic verse does not simply say "Have We not widened your chest?" but rather adds "لَكَ" (for you), emphasizing that this divine favor was done specifically for Prophet Muhammad
. 15 Scholars have pointed out that the inclusion of "لَكَ" (for you) highlights the personal and close relationship between Allah and the Holy Prophet
. Just as the Holy Prophet
carried out acts of worship for the sake of Allah, Allah granted him this divine favor out of special love and concern for his well-being. 16 This subtle addition reflects the immense love and affection that Allah has for His Messenger
. The act of expanding the Holy Prophet's
chest was not only for the purpose of his mission but also out of Allah's love for him.
The expansion of the Holy Prophet’s
chest played a crucial role in his ability to receive and internalize the revelation of the Quran. 17 The weight of revelation, described in the Quran as being so heavy that it could cause mountains to crumble, 18 was received by the Holy Prophet
with grace and ease due to his Sharh al-Sadr. His heart and mind were opened and prepared to receive the message of Allah, and this spiritual expansion enabled him to convey it to mankind with absolute clarity and wisdom.
The blessed heart of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
holds a unique and profound significance in Islamic spirituality and theology. The heart of Prophet Muhammad
has been mentioned in the Quran at several points in various ways. One such instance is stated as:
عَلَى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنْذِرِينَ 19419
Upon your (most illumined) heart so that you may be a Warner (to the disobedient).
This implies that the Holy Quran was revealed upon the blessed heart of the Holy Prophet
so that he could deliver this sacred message and warn the people against disobedience to God. At another point, the Holy Quran states:
وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى 120
By the bright star when descended.
Regarding this verse, Qazi Al-Ayaz mentions Imam Jafar al-Sadiq quote and states that the ‘star’ mentioned in it refers to the heart of the Prophet Muhammad
. 21 Sheikh Ahmad Shihab al-Din al-Khafaji elaborates further on this matter and states:
وتشبیه قلبه صلى اللّٰه علیه وسلم بالنجم لا یخفى ظھورہ لا شراقه بنور ربه. 22
The comparison of his (Prophet Muhammad’s) heart to a star is evident due to its radiance with the light of his Lord.
This sentence uses the metaphor of a star to describe the heart of the Holy Prophet
and its relationship to divine light. Just as a star shines brightly in the night sky, guiding travelers and providing light in the darkness, the heart of the Holy Prophet
is portrayed as radiating with divine wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual insight. This ‘illumination’ refers to the way Prophet Muhammad's
heart was filled with the presence of God, allowing him to receive and convey divine revelations. The brilliance of a star serves as a symbol of how his heart was not only pure but also a source of spiritual light and guidance for humanity, much like the guidance offered by a star in the sky.
Allah Almighty has revealed that if the Holy Quran were to be sent down upon a mountain, it would crumble under the weight of its message and be shattered into pieces. 23 However, Allah bestowed such strength upon His beloved Prophet
that he was able to bear the weight of divine revelation with ease. The Holy Prophet’s
pure heart not only preserved the Holy Quran, but it did so without experiencing any burden or hardship. On the contrary, whenever a portion of the Holy Quran was revealed, the Holy Prophet
felt an increase in energy and strength. As the Holy Quran states:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْآنُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً كَذَلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ وَرَتَّلْنَاهُ تَرْتِيلًا 3224
And the disbelievers say: ‘Why has the Quran not been (put together and) sent down to this (Prophet) in one go?’ It has been revealed gradually (in segments) so that by this We may strengthen your (most sanctified) heart, and (that is why) We have recited it gradually with pauses (in order that your heart may feel tranquil by receiving Our message again and again).
This verse indicates that the gradual revelation was meant to fortify the Holy Prophet’s
heart 2526 and to provide him with continual tranquility through the divine message. Other verses which portray that the heart of the Holy Prophet
received the Holy Quran are as follows:
...فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا... 9727
…he (Gabriel) is the one who has brought it (the Holy Quran) down upon your (Prophet Muhammad’s) heart only by Allah’s command…
Sheikh Ahmad Shihab al-Din al-Khafaji stated:
حیث تحمل واطاق خطاب اللّٰه له ورؤیته لیلة الاسراء ومشاهدة الملكوت ومهابته فما یشهد له الجبال ولا تطیقه الملائکة... 28
The Holy Prophetendured the direct communication of Allah and witnessed the Divinity during the night of Ascension, as well as the kingdom of the heavens, with a (heart’s) strength that neither mountains could withstand nor angels could bear.
In surah Al-Nur, Allah Almighty states:
...مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ الزُّجَاجَةُ... 3529
(The) example (of) His Light (is) like a niche in it (is) a lamp; the lamp (is) in a glass…
Imam al-Tha'labi recounts that Abdullah ibn Abbas mentioned this verse to Ka'b and asked him to explain it. Ka'b responded:
ھذا مثل ضربه اللّٰه سبحانه لمحمد صلی اللّٰه علیه وسلم فالمشكوة صدره والزجاجة قلبه والمصباح فیه النبوة توقد من شجر مباركة ھى شجرة النبوة. 30
This is an example Allah set for Muhammad (). The niche refers to his chest, zujaja (the glass) to his pure heart, and misbah (the lamp) represents the prophecy illuminated by the tree of prophecy.
Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi also endorsed a similar interpretation. 31 From these verses and scholarly interpretations, it is evident that the heart of the Holy Prophet
possessed a strength far superior to that of mountains. His blessed heart was the station of divine illuminations and the repository of divine revelation, signifying the immense spiritual fortitude with which Allah endowed him.
During the event of Isra (the Night Journey) and Miraj (Ascension), Allah granted the beloved Prophet Muhammad
a direct vision of His immense powers and signs. Not only did the Holy Prophet’s
blessed eyes behold these wonders, but his heart also affirmed them, recognizing them as undeniable realities rather than illusions. This is reflected in the Holy Quran as:
مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَى 1132
(His) heart did not take it contrary to what (his) eyes beheld.
This verse indicates that the Holy Prophet's
heart was in complete agreement with his eyes, fully affirming the divine signs and revelations he witnessed that night 33 without any doubt or hesitation.
HeartAllah Almighty sent Prophet Muhammad
as an embodiment of mercy and compassion for all of His creation. 34 His nature was characterized by profound tenderness and gentleness, making his heart a wellspring of warmth and love. The Holy Prophet
could not bear to show cruelty, even to animals, due to his extreme compassion. The Holy Quran describes this tenderness as:
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ 15935
(O My Esteemed Beloved!) What a mercy of Allah that you are lenient with them! Had you been stern and hard-hearted, people would have deserted, scattering away from around you. So pardon them, and pray for their forgiveness, and consult them in (important) matters. But once you make up your mind, then place your trust in Allah. Surely, Allah loves those who trust Him.
This verse highlights that the Holy Prophet's
kindness and gentleness, which were a manifestation of Allah's mercy and attracted people to him. It was Allah who strengthened his heart and guided him to be compassionate towards them, even when they opposed him and caused him distress. 36
The Holy Quran makes mention of various sacred parts of the Prophet Muhammad’s
body, including his blessed hands. Allah Almighty states:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ اللَّهَ يَدُ اللَّهِ فَوْقَ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَمَنْ نَكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُثُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِمَا عَاهَدَ عَلَيْهُ اللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 1037
(O Beloved!) Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you in fact pledge allegiance to Allah alone. Allah’s hand is over their hands (in the form of your hand). Then whoever breaks his pledge breaks it only to his own harm. But he who fulfils what he has promised to Allah, He will bless him with immense reward.
This verse refers to Bay’at Ridwan, a pledge which took place before the ‘Truce of Al-Hudaybiyah'. When Uthman did not return from Makkah for a long time, the Muslims became extremely worried and feared that Uthman
had been martyred. So, they took a solemn pledge at the hand of the Holy Prophet
and vowed to sacrifice their lives to avenge the death of their companion and stand firmly by Prophet Muhammad
under all conditions. 38 Prophet Muhammad
took a pledge from them by putting his hands over theirs.
Furthermore, in this verse, the significance of the hands of Prophet Muhammad
is elevated to such an extent that Allah Himself refers to them in a symbolic sense. The greatness of the Holy Prophet’s
hands is underscored by the fact that Allah Almighty has designated His own hand in a metaphorical sense to represent the Holy Prophet's
hand. 39 This profound honor reflects the immense respect and significance attributed to the Holy Prophet’s
physical attributes, illustrating their esteemed role in the divine narrative.
In the context of the incident where the Prophet Muhammad
threw pebbles at the enemy, Allah Almighty attributed the action of throwing the pebbles to Himself in recognition of the Holy Prophet’s
sacred hand. Allah Almighty states:
...وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَى... 1740{
enwho physically threw the pebbles, it was by Allah’s power and command that the action was effective. 41 As Ibn Abbas reports that the Holy Prophet
said:}}قال رسول اللّٰه صلى اللّٰه عليه وسلم: «ناولني كفا من حصى»، فناولته، فرمى به في وجوه القوم، فما بقي في القوم أحد إلا ملئت عيناه من الحصا، فنزلت: {وما رميت إذ رميت ولكن اللّٰه رمى} 42
Prophet Muhammadsaid, ‘Give me a handful of pebbles.’ I gave them to him, and he threw them at the faces of the people. Not a single person was left among them without their eyes being filled with the pebbles. Then the verse was revealed: ‘And you did not throw when you threw, but it was Allah who threw.’
This attribution highlights the divine support and intervention in the events involving the Holy Prophet
.
The Holy Quran also refers to the blessed back of Prophet Muhammad
. Allah Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
وَوَضَعْنَا عَنْكَ وِزْرَكَ 2 الَّذِي أَنْقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ 343
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This verse refers to the relief granted to the Holy Prophet
from the heavy burden associated with prophethood 44 and responsibility for his Ummah, which had weighed heavily upon him.
In conclusion, the Holy Quran presents the blessed physique of Prophet Muhammad
not only as a human appearance, but as a sacred manifestation of divine honor, mercy, strength, and spiritual perfection. His radiant face was honored in the matter of the Qiblah, his blessed eyes remained unwavering during the vision of the greatest divine signs, his tongue became the chosen medium of revelation, his chest was expanded with divine light and wisdom, and his heart was made the strongest vessel for receiving and preserving the Holy Quran. Likewise, his blessed hands were honored through the pledge of allegiance and divine attribution in the incident of throwing pebbles, while his blessed back is mentioned in relation to the immense burden of prophethood and concern for the Ummah. These Quranic references collectively establish that every aspect of the Holy Prophet’s
blessed being was divinely protected, spiritually illuminated, and uniquely connected with the mission of guidance. Thus, the Quranic portrayal of the Prophet’s
blessed physique affirms his unparalleled rank as the Beloved of Allah, the bearer of revelation, the embodiment of mercy, and the most perfect model for humanity until the Day of Judgment.