Shamail al-Habib al-Mustafa
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Mu’assasat al-ʿIlm al-Sharīf
Shamail al-Habib al-Mustafa (The Sublime Characteristics of the Chosen Beloved) is a contemporary hadith compendium on the physical and moral traits, life, and interactions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, authored by the Syrian scholar Muhammad Abu al-Huda al-Yaqubi .
Composition and Purpose
Al-Yaqubi completed the composition of the work in Rabat, Morocco, on the eve of the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) in 1439 AH (2017 CE) . The author noted that while teaching the seminal al-Shama'il of al-Tirmidhi—which he had taught with analytical commentary five times and by transmission and text precision around twenty times—he observed that classical manuals were primarily composed for scholars and students requiring instruction under a teacher. To make the subject accessible to contemporary general readers without requiring specialized supervision, he compiled this work modelled on the accessible style of al-Nawawi's Riyad al-Salihin .
Structure and Contents
Rather than attempting an exhaustive compilation of prophetic portraiture hadiths—which al-Yaqubi estimated at around ten thousand—the work selects 500 of the most authentic and prominent narrations arranged across twelve thematic parts (aqsam) comprising 175 chapters (abwab) :
- Prophetic Identity: The divine selection of the Prophet ﷺ from pre-eternity, followed by his lineage and names .
- Physical Appearance: Detailed descriptions of his bodily features (al-jasad al-sharif) .
- Daily Life and Conduct: Adornment, clothing, food, drink, speech, acts of worship, leadership, and missionary calling (da'wah) .
- Moral Perfections and Social Relations: His virtues gathered under the section Mazahir al-Kamal (Manifestations of Perfection), and his dealings with men, women, elders, youth, the sick, companions, and adversaries gathered under al-Mu'amalat (Interactions) .
- Passing and Glad Tidings: Concluding sections detailing his departure (al-Rahil) and prophetic glad tidings (al-Mubashshirat) .
At the conclusion of the text, the author included a general certificate of transmission (ijazah) granting permission to all Muslims to read and narrate the book .
Answer updated