What is Sahih al-Bukhari 3401 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions), narrated by Narrated Al-Bara:, states: "The Prophet (ﷺ) was of moderate height having broad shoulders (long) hair reaching his ear-lobes. Once I saw him in a red cloak and I had never seen a more handsome than him.""

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 3401 in the Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#3400

#3401

Sahih al-Bukhari

#3402

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Sahih al-Bukhari #3401

Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَرْبُوعًا، بَعِيدَ مَا بَيْنَ الْمَنْكِبَيْنِ، لَهُ شَعَرٌ يَبْلُغُ شَحْمَةَ أُذُنِهِ، رَأَيْتُهُ فِي حُلَّةٍ حَمْرَاءَ، لَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا قَطُّ أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ‏.‏ قَالَ يُوسُفُ بْنُ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ إِلَى مَنْكِبَيْهِ‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) was of moderate height having broad shoulders (long) hair reaching his ear-lobes. Once I saw him in a red cloak and I had never seen a more handsome than him."

Narrated by Narrated Al-Bara:

Context

This hadith provides a physical description of the Prophet (ﷺ), emphasizing his moderate height, broad shoulders, and striking appearance. The narrator recalls seeing him in a red cloak, highlighting the admiration and respect the companions had for him. This description serves to humanize the Prophet (ﷺ) while also showcasing his unique qualities.

Modern Application

Understanding the physical attributes of the Prophet (ﷺ) can inspire Muslims to embody his characteristics in their demeanor and conduct. It encourages followers to appreciate the beauty of the Prophet's (ﷺ) character and strive to emulate his virtues in their lives.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Clothing Etiquette and Islamic Dress Code because it discusses the Prophet's (ﷺ) attire and appearance, which can influence how Muslims approach their own dress and presentation.

Clothing Etiquette Islamic Dress Code

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النَّجۡمِ

An-Najm (The Star)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ

The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].

سُورَةُ عَبَسَ

Abasa (He frowned)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

The Prophet frowned and turned away

سُورَةُ الفَتۡحِ

Al-Fath (The Victory)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

مُّحَمَّدٌۭ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥٓ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ تَرَىٰهُمْ رُكَّعًۭا سُجَّدًۭا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنًۭا ۖ سِيمَاهُمْ فِى وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۚ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِى ٱلْإِنجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْـَٔهُۥ فَـَٔازَرَهُۥ فَٱسْتَغْلَظَ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَىٰ سُوقِهِۦ يُعْجِبُ ٱلزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ ٱلْكُفَّارَ ۗ وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ مِنْهُم مَّغْفِرَةًۭ وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًۢا

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.

لَّقَدْ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ رَسُولَهُ ٱلرُّءْيَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ لَتَدْخُلُنَّ ٱلْمَسْجِدَ ٱلْحَرَامَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ مُحَلِّقِينَ رُءُوسَكُمْ وَمُقَصِّرِينَ لَا تَخَافُونَ ۖ فَعَلِمَ مَا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا۟ فَجَعَلَ مِن دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًا

Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].

سُورَةُ الأَنبِيَاءِ

Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

The Prophet said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."

Common Words

103 total89 unique7 repeated

ٱلله6x

فى4x

من3x

ما2x

على2x

ٱلكفار2x

ذلك2x

زاغ1x

ٱلبصر1x

وما1x

طغى1x

بسم1x

ٱلرحمن1x

ٱلرحيم1x

عبس1x

وتولى1x

محمد1x

رسول1x

وٱلذين1x

معه1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #3401 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Al-Bara:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #3401

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith