Physical description of Imam Malik bin Anas (رضي الله عنه):
‘Isa bin ‘Umar said: “I never saw anything white or red that was more beautiful than the face of Malik, or any clothes whiter than Malik’s.”
And a number of people relate that he was tall, firm, serious, blond, had a white beard and hair, had a large beard, was balding, and would not shave his moustache, as he considered this to be a form of mutilation.
It is said that he had blue eyes, and some of this was narrated by Ibn Sa’d from Mutarraf bin ‘Abdillah.
Muhammad bin ad-Dahhak al-Hizami said: “Malik’s clothes were clean and soft, and he would constantly wear different clothes.”
al-Walid bin Muslim said: “Malik would wear white clothes, and I saw he and al-Awza’i wearing black and green caps.”
Ashhab said: “When Malik would wear a turban, he would wrap part of it under his chin and would leave the ends of it hanging between his shoulders.”
Khalid bin Khidash said: “I saw Malik wearing a cap, and I saw him wearing woven clothes.”
Ashhab said: “If Malik would wear kohl for a necessity, he would remain in his house.”
Mus’ab said: “Malik would wear ‘Adani clothes, and he would wear perfume.”
Abu ‘Asim said: “I never saw a Muhaddith with a more handsome face than Malik’s.”
It is said: “He was so light colored that he was blond. He had wide eyes, a raised, pointed nose, and he would let his moustache grow long based on ‘Umar’s curling of his moustache.”
Ibn Wahb said: “I saw Malik dying his hair with henna once.”
Abu Mus’ab said: “Malik had the most handsome face of the people, the widest of eyes, the whitest skin, and was the greatest of them in height – all in the strongest body.”
al-Waqidi said: “He was well-formed, would not dye his hair, and would not enter the public baths.”
Bishr bin al-Harith said: “I entered upon Malik and saw him wearing a cap that was worth about 500 dirhams.”
Ashhab said: “When Malik would wear a turban, he would wrap part of it under his chin and would leave the ends of it behind his back, and he would scent himself with musk and other scents.”