Cordoba Koran - Getting to know the Muhammadiyyah Book of Shamail

The Book of Shamail Muhammadiyyah by Imam Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmizi Rahimahullah is one of the monumental works in the Islamic treasury. This book not only documents the physical appearance of the Prophet ﷺ, but also photographs his noble morals, noble behavior and daily life full of wisdom.

Reading this book is like opening a spiritual window that invites us to look at the prophetic face and feel the warmth of the morals of the Prophet ﷺ. In the midst of current times that distance humans from role models, Syamail Muhammadiyyah is here as a reminder of love for the noblest human beings of all time.

This translated edition of the book is presented in touching language, complete with authentic illustrations of the Prophet's legacy, so that readers can feel a deeper emotional closeness.

The Muhammadiyyah Syamā'il Book is a monumental work that collects hadiths about the physical characteristics, morals, clothing, food, worship and daily habits of the Prophet ﷺ. Compiled by Imam at-Tirmidhi (d. 279 H), a leading hadith expert, this book provides a complete and personal portrait of the Prophet's life, making readers feel as if they were witnessing him directly.

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A Glance at the Author: Imam At-Tirmizi

Imam At-Tirmizi, full name Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa bin Surah bin Musa bin adh-Dhahhak as-Sulami , was born in the village of Bugh in 209 H and died in the city of Tirmiz in 279 H at the age of 70 years.

He lived during the golden age of hadith scholarship and was a student of great scholars. Imam At-Tirmidhi was known to be close to Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, and learned much from them. His closeness to Al-Bukhari even led to a beautiful confession from his teacher:

"I have benefited from you more than you have benefited from me." — (Imam Al-Bukhari about Imam At-Tirmizi)

His lineage is very good, bin adh Dhahhak as-Sulami. Birth and Death of the Imam was born in the village of Bugh, moved to the city of Tirmiz until his death. Teacher and Student Historians consider the era of Imam at-Tirmizi as the golden age of hadith science, pioneered by Imam Muhammad bin Idris asy-Syafi'i al-Muthalibi, the defender of the sunnah.

Imam Tirmizi taught humanity, especially the people of Iraq and Egypt, about the importance of proclaiming the Sunnah and practicing it side by side with the Koran. He also lays the foundations and arguments against opponents of the obligation to take hadith.

The Position of Imam At-Tirmizi and the Privileges of Syamail Muhammadiyah

The scholars praised the depth of knowledge and thoroughness of Imam At-Tirmizi. Some important testimonies include:

• Ibnu Hibban called him "a scholar who accumulated knowledge, had a strong memorization, and compiled the hadith books with careful methods."
• Adz-Dzahabi in Tadzkirah al-Huffazh emphasized that Imam At-Tirmizi was hafizh of hadith and his reliability was recognized by scholars.
• Al-Hakim narrated that after the death of Imam Al-Bukhari, there was no one in Khurasan who could match Imam At-Tirmizi in knowledge, memorization, piety and asceticism .

Interestingly, Imam At-Tirmizi experienced blindness at the end of his life, but continued to write, teach, and provide great benefits to the community.

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 This book consists of 56 chapters and more than 400 hadiths, including:

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-His physical characteristics (height, hair, eyes, skin color) -Clothing and manner of dressing

-Favorite food and how to eat

-His way of walking, talking and laughing-His worship, prayers, sleeping, ablution and prayer

-His interactions with family, friends and society.

By reading this book, readers will increasingly love and emulate the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, both in external aspects (appearance) and internal aspects (morals and worship).

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The Book of Shamail Muhammadiyyah consists of 415 hadiths divided into several chapters, discussing personal aspects of the Prophet ﷺ, including:

1. The physical appearance of Rasulullah ﷺ — what his face, smile, clothes and appearance looked like.
2. Characteristics of Morals and Habits — gentleness, patience, generosity, even the way the Prophet ﷺ eats and sleeps.
3. Life's Journey and Spirituality — the depth of worship, the sincerity of preaching, and examples in daily life. And more.

Ali bin Sultan Muhammad al-Qari, a great scholar, praised this book:

"Whoever reads this book, it will be as if he were looking at the face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and witnessing the beauty of his great morals."

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Reviving Love for the Prophet ﷺ

In this modern era full of distractions, Syamail Muhammadiyyah is a bridge to get to know Rasulullah ﷺ more personally. By studying this book, we not only understand who the Prophet ﷺ was from a historical perspective, but also understand prophetic morals and emulate them in everyday life .

This book is worthy of being owned by every Muslim—as a loyal friend at home, a guide in gatherings of knowledge, a reference at school, and spiritual provision on life's journey.

Abu al-Fida 'Ismail said, "Among the people who were best at collecting (the Prophet's attributes) and most eloquent in conveying them was Imam Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa bin Surah at-Tirmizi.

He specifically compiled his famous book under the name Asy-Syama'il al-Muḥammadiyyah. We have a narrative that continues down to him."

Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Jazari Rahimaḥullah said in his poetry,

“O my friend, if your lover has lived far away, meeting him is difficult, his house is not accessible, and you cannot see him with your eyes, then these are his shamail (attributes) which become his replacement..”

Al-Adib Muhyiddin Abdul Qadir az-Zarkasyi when describing the book Asy-Syama'il, said in his poetry,

“O most noble and generous messenger, how gentle are these qualities that are written. Whoever hears their description will see them as if they were twigs swaying in a gentle breeze..”

Conclusion

The Book of Shamail Muhammadiyyah is a golden legacy that opens the way for Muslims to know, love and emulate the Prophet ﷺ .

Through Imam At-Tirmizi's work, we are invited to delve into the depths of prophetic morals, feel the warmth of his personality, and affirm our love for our human being.

If there is one book that every Muslim needs to have to grow mahabbah (love) for Rasulullah ﷺ, then Syamail Muhammadiyyah is the answer.

Wallahu'alam