Physical Descriptions of the Companions
رضي الله عنهما
Compiled from the First Four Volumes of Adh-Dhahabi’s ‘Siyar A’lam an-Nubala”
1 – Abu Bakr:
“He was white-skinned, skinny, with thin cheeks. He had a wrinkly face, deepset eyes, a protruding forehead, and he would dye his beard with henna and oil it.”
“He was white or yellow-skinned, handsome, with thin legs. His izar would not stay firmly tied around his waist.”
2 – ‘Umar bin al-Khattab:
“He was white-skinned, leaning towards redness. He was tall, balding, and had white hair around his head.”
“He was very tall, and extemely bald. He had reddened skin, thin cheeks, and the edges of his mustache were long and dark red.”
“He would walk so fast that it was as if he was riding a horse while those around him were walking.”
“He used to dye his hair with henna.”
3 – ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan:
“He was not tall or short. He had a handsome face, a long beard, dark skin, wide shoulders, and he would dye his hair with saffron. He would cap teeth with gold.”
‘Abdullah bin Hazm said: “I saw ‘Uthman, and I never saw a man or woman more beautiful than him.”
As-Sa’ib said: “I saw him dying his beard yellow, and I never saw an old man more handsome than him.”
4 – ‘Ali bin Abi Talib:
“He was balding, but had much hair left, as if he was wearing a sheepskin. He was of medium height, with a large belly and a large beard.”
“He had a yellow beard.”
“He dyed his beard with henna once, then he never used it again.”
“His hair and beard were white, like cotton.”
Ash-Sha’bi said: “I saw ‘Ali with a white beard, and I never saw anyone with a larger beard then he.”
“He had heavyset, large eyes, and he was closer to being short.”
5 – Abu ‘Ubaydah bin al-Jarrah:
“He was a skinny man, with a wrinkly face and a light beard. He was tall.”
6 – Mu’adh bin Jabal:
“He was tall, with large eyes, white-skinned, with wrinkled skin.”
7 – ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud:
“He was thin, short, and did not dye his hair.”
“He was handsome and wise.”
8 – ‘A’ishah:
“She was white-skinned and beautiful.”
9 – Abu Hurayrah:
“He was fair-skinned, had wide shoulders, wide teeth, and he had braids in his hair.”
“He was white-skinned, thin, and had a red beard.”
10 – Mu’awiyah:
“He was tall, white-skinned, and handsome. When he laughed, his upper lip would move, and he would dye his hair.”
“He would dye his hair with saffron, and his beard was golden.”
11 – ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:
“He would dye his beard yellow.”
“He would dye his beard yellow until his clothing became wet with the dye. It was said to him: “You dye with yellow?” He replied: “I saw the Messenger of Allah doing so!””
12 – Al-Husayn:
“His hair and beard were extremely black.”
13 – ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
“He was white-skinned, leaning towards yellow, tall, handsome, bright-faced, and he would dye his hair with henna.”
‘Ata’ said: “I never see the full Moon of the 14th night of the month except that I remember the face of Ibn ‘Abbas.”
14 – Anas bin Malik:
“He would wear a black turban that he would leave trailing behind him.”
