In the section of Topkapi Palace called the “Hırka-i Saadet Dairesi,” there are six footprints attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Four of these are made of stone, and two are made of brick. The one kept in a marble built-in cabinet in the Hırka-i Saadet Dairesi, measuring 28×12 cm and framed and covered in solid gold, was brought from Tripoli during the reign of Abdülmecid. It is said to be the stone he stepped on during his ascension to the heavens (Mi’raj). From which guessing his height using foot-length-height ratio he might have been 5′ 11″ to 6′ tall if the footprints are authentic.
His complexion was white. Around fair. he had a reddish hint on his skin.
- Jurairi reported: I said to Abu Tufail: Did you see Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)? He said: Yes, he had a white handsome face. [Sahih Muslim 30:5777, See Also Sahih Muslim 30:5786]
- Narrated Anas bin Malik: While we were sitting with the Prophet in the mosque, a man came riding on a camel. He made his camel kneel down in the mosque, tied its foreleg and then said: "Who amongst you is Muhammad?" At that time the Prophet was sitting amongst us (his companions) leaning on his arm. We replied, "This white man reclining on his arm." The an then addressed him, "O Son of 'Abdul Muttalib."... [Sahih Bukhari 1:3:63]
- Narrated Isma'il bin Abi Khalid: I heard Abii Juhaifa saying, "I saw the Prophet, and Hasan bin 'Ali resembled him." I said to Abu- Juhaifa, "Describe him for me." He said, "He was white and his beard was black with some white hair. [Sahih Bukhari 4:56:744]
- Narrated Rabia bin Abi Abdur-Rahman: I heard Anas bin Malik describing the Prophet saying, "He was of medium height amongst the people, neither tall nor short; he had a rosy color, neither absolutely white nor deep brown; his hair was neither completely curly nor quite lank.... When he died, he had scarcely twenty white hairs in his head and beard." Rabi'a said, "I saw some of his hairs and it was red. When I asked about that, I was told that it turned red because of scent." [Sahih Bukhari 4:56:747]
(This would disprove the footprint claim, though I added it in because I thought it was relevant.)
Muhammad (PBUH)'s appearance was praised as beautiful in many hadiths.
- Jaabir ibn Samurah said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was dalee' al-fam, ashkal al-'ayn and manhoos al-'aqib." Shu'bah said: "I asked Maalik, 'What is dalee' al-fam?' He said: 'Wide-mouthed.' I asked, 'What is ashkal al-'ayn?' He said, 'Big-eyed.' I asked, 'What is manhoos al-'aqib?' He said, 'His heels were not fleshy.'" (Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Fadaa'il, 2339).
- Al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was broad shouldered and had thick hair coming down to his shoulders and earlobes. He was wearing red garments. I have never seen anything more beautiful than him." (Reported by Muslim, Kitaab al-Fadaa'il, Baab Sifat Sha'r al-Nabi (PBUH), no. 2338).
- 'Ali said: "He was neither tall nor short, and had large hands and feet. He had a large head and was big-boned, and the thin line of hair (starting from his chest and extending to the navel) was long. When he walked, he would lean forward, as if he was walking downhill. I have never seen anyone like him, before or since." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3570)
He is said to have dark black eyes in this hadith
• He was white with a reddish tinge, dark black-eyed, with long eyelashes
His father is the ancestor of the Adnani Arabs who live mostly in the North of Arabia. I believe his phenotype to be Assyrian mixed with arab traits, Assyrians are born with fair skin which is what Muhammad (PBUH) was said to have.
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