"I saw Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) on a cloudless night, and he was wearing a red suit of clothes, so I started looking at him as well as at the moon, for he is indeed more beautiful, in my opinion, than the moon!”
The Noble Features Of Rasoolullah - Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah 10
This narration from Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah describes the luminous beauty of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as witnessed by one of his companions. The comparison to the moon is significant in Islamic tradition, as the moon represents beauty, guidance, and illumination in darkness.
Scholarly Commentary on the Red Garment
The red clothing mentioned refers to garments dyed with red coloring, which were permissible for men to wear according to the majority of scholars. Imam al-Nawawi explains that this was not a pure red but rather contained other colors, as pure red was discouraged for men.
The choice of red clothing on this particular night demonstrates the Prophet's balanced approach to worldly matters - neither excessive in austerity nor in adornment.
Spiritual Significance of the Vision
The cloudless night represents clarity of perception, allowing the companion to witness the Prophet's true beauty without obstruction. Scholars note that such descriptions were not merely physical observations but spiritual perceptions of the Prophet's luminous nature (nur).
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that such visions reflect the companion's elevated spiritual state, enabling him to perceive the Prophet's true majesty that transcended ordinary human beauty.
Comparative Beauty: Beyond the Moon
The comparison to the moon is particularly meaningful in Arabian culture, where the moon was the ultimate standard of beauty. By stating the Prophet was "more beautiful than the moon," the companion establishes a new paradigm of beauty that combines physical perfection with spiritual radiance.
Al-Qadi 'Iyad explains in his Ash-Shifa that the Prophet's beauty was comprehensive - encompassing his physical form, character, speech, and spiritual presence, making any comparison to created things ultimately inadequate.