Foundations · Who is the Prophet ﷺ

Prophet Muhammad's Personal Practices and Traditions

Test your knowledge about specific personal practices and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

6 questions · Easy · about 3 minutes

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6 questions, about 3 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. Why did the Prophet ﷺ sometimes sit on a chair?

  • To teach people in a way they could hear and see him. (correct answer)
  • Because he disliked sitting on the ground.
  • Because chairs were required for khutbahs.
  • Because he only taught while sitting on chairs.

Why

The Prophet ﷺ was humble and usually sat on the ground. But sometimes he sat on a chair while teaching so people could hear his words and see him.

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2. Why did the Prophet ﷺ sometimes tie a rock to his stomach?

  • As part of patience, asceticism, and solidarity during hardship. (correct answer)
  • As a required medical treatment.
  • To punish himself for sins.
  • Because he was abandoned without any help.

Why

The Prophet ﷺ sometimes experienced temporary hardship, even though Allah gave him wealth at other times. He spent generously and endured hardship with patience and contentment.

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3. What did the Prophet ﷺ do when his hair grew long because of travel or similar reasons?

  • He put it into four braids. (correct answer)
  • He always shaved it immediately.
  • He tied it with a ribbon.
  • He dyed it black every time.

Why

When his hair grew long in certain circumstances, such as travel, he would put it into four braids, in keeping with Arab custom.

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4. What is the correct ruling on parting the hair?

  • It is permissible, and parting is better than letting it hang down. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden in all cases.
  • It is required for every Muslim.
  • It is only allowed during Hajj or ‘umrah.

Why

Both letting the hair hang down over the forehead and parting it are permissible. The source states that parting the hair is better.

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5. What is the problem with claims that someone has a hair of the Prophet ﷺ today?

  • Such claims cannot be accepted without definitive proof. (correct answer)
  • Seeking barakah from genuine Prophetic relics was always shirk.
  • Any person’s hair may be used for tabarruk.
  • Building a mosque for a claimed relic is encouraged.

Why

Seeking barakah from genuine relics of the Prophet ﷺ was known among the Companions. But the source says there is no proof that such relics exist now, so a claim to possess a hair of the Prophet ﷺ should not be accepted without definitive evidence.

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6. What did the Prophet ﷺ do when a woman was named Barrah?

  • He changed her name to Zaynab. (correct answer)
  • He approved it because it praised her.
  • He said names have no meanings.
  • He required every woman to use that name.

Why

Barrah means righteous and may imply self-praise. The Prophet ﷺ changed that name to Zaynab.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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