Chapter 56
Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little
Allah, the Exalted, says:
"Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salat (the prayers) [i.e., made their Salat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH)), and work righteousness. Such will enter Jannah and they will not be wronged in aught.''(19:59,60)
"So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: `Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun (Korah) has been given! Verily, he is the owner of a great fortune.' But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: `Woe to you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds'.'' (28:79,80)
"Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in, in this world)!'' (102:8)
"Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (far away from Allah's Mercy).'' (17:18)
491. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The family of Muhammad (PBUH) never ate to the fill the bread of barley for two successive days until he died.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Another narration is: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Never did the family of Muhammad (PBUH) eat to the fill, since their arrival to Al-Madinah, the bread of wheat for three successive nights until his death.
Commentary: This Hadith tells us about the extreme piety, contentment and simplicity of the Prophet (PBUH). This mode of his life continued to his last days when he had started storing provision for one year for the maintenance of his wives. But he would always distribute it among the needy, so much so that nothing was left with him. Thus, the statement of the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) that the family of Muhammad (PBUH) had never taken bellyful of food for two days is absolutely true. If they had it on one day they did not have it on the next day. This is how they lived their whole life in the companionship of the Prophet (PBUH).
492. `Urwah from `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that she used to say to Urwah (May Allah be pleased with him): "O son of my sister, by Allah, I used to see the new moon, then the new moon, then the new moon, i.e., three moons in two months, and a fire was not kindled in the house of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). "I (`Urwah) said, "O my aunt, what were your means of sustenance?'' She said; "Dates and water. But it (so happened) that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had some Ansar neighbours who had milch animals. They used to send Messenger of Allah (PBUH) some milk of their (animals) and he gave that to us to drink.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) did not say this by way of complaint but as warning and exhortation to the Muslims, especially women, so that they would also live a simple life. The latter should prepare their family budget keeping in view the lawful earnings of their husbands and do not place so much burden on them that they are compelled to look for unfair means of earning.
493. Abu Sa`id Maqburi reported: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said that he happened to pass by some people who had a roast lamb before them. They invited him, but he declined, saying: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) left the world without having eaten his fill with barley bread.''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary:
1. This Hadith shows how much care the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) exercised in following him. They would even emulate him in matters in which it was not obligatory under the Shari`ah to follow him. It was in fact the result of that extreme love that they had for the Prophet (PBUH). They were not like the present-day lovers of the Prophet (PBUH) whose love does not go beyond lip-service. They were his true lovers and they followed him faithfully.
2. One should refuse to participate in feasts where extravagance is displayed, as is in common practice today, so that the evil tendency of extravagance and wastage is discouraged. One who avoids such parties, does not refuse invitations but respects the principles and values of Shari`ah which is a highly meritorious act.
494. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) neither ate on a dining cloth, nor ate soft bread throughout his life.
[Al-Bukhari].
One narration adds: He (PBUH) never even saw a Samit lamb.
Samit is an animal prepared for food by removing its hair by boiling water, and then roasted without being skinned. This type of food is preferred by wealthy people. (Editor's Note)
Commentary: It means that the Prophet (PBUH) has not adopted the ways of the rich but embraced a simple way of life which is the mode of Fuqara' - poor people. Thus, he remained contented with simple food and had no relish for extravagant feasts.
495. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I have seen your Prophet (PBUH) when he did not find enough of even the inferior quality of dates to eat and fill his belly.
[Muslim].
496. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had never seen bread made out of fine flour throughout his life, since Allah commissioned him until his death. He was asked, "Did you not have sieves at the time of the Messenger of Allah?'' He replied, "Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never saw a sieve.'' He was asked, "How did you manage to eat barley bread made of unsieved flour?'' He said, ''We used to ground it and then blew away the husk, and what remained we kneaded into dough.''
[Al-Bukhari].
497. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went out (of his house) one day, or one night, and there he met Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) also. He (PBUH) said, "What made you leave your houses at this hour?'' They said, "It is hunger, O Messenger of Allah.'' He said, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, what made you leave, made me also leave, so come along!'' And he went along with them to a man from the Ansar, but they did not find him in his house. When the wife of that man saw the Prophet, she said, "You are most welcome.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to her, "Where is so-and-so?'' She said, "He went to fetch some fresh water for us.'' In the meantime, the Ansari came back, saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his two companions and said: "Praise be to Allah, today no one has more honourable guests than I.'' He then went out and brought them a bunch of date fruit, having dates, some still green, some ripe, and some fully ripe, and requested them to eat from it. He then took his knife (to slaughter a sheep). Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to him, "Do not kill a milch sheep.'' So he slaughtered a sheep for them. After they had eaten and drunk to their fill, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them), "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you will certainly be questioned about this treat on the Day of Resurrection. Hunger brought you out of your homes, and you do not return to your homes till you have been blessed with this treat.''
[Muslim].
Commentary:
1. This Hadith refers to the period of great hardship through which the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions had passed after Hijrah (emigration).
2. It is permissible for one to seek help from such friends about whom one is confident that they will be happy to help.
3. The Hadith enjoins us to respect our guests and to thank Allah on their visit.
498. Khalid bin `Umar Al-`Adawi reported: `Utbah bin Ghazwan, the governor of Basrah, delivered a Khutbah. He praised Allah, glorified Him, then said: "Amma b`adu, verily, the world has been given the news of its end and is running to meet its end swiftly. Nothing is left out of it but a very little amount. Similar to the remainder in a dish whose owner is collecting it to drink; and you are going to move to an abode which knows no end, and you should proceed there with the good before you, for we have been informed (by the Prophet (PBUH)) that a stone would be thrown at one side of the Hell and it would travel down for seventy years but would not reach its bottom. By Allah, it will be filled (with men and jinn). Do you find it strange? We have been informed (i.e., by the Prophet (PBUH)) that the distance between two shutters of the gate of Jannah is forty years (distance). And a day would come when it would be fully packed; I was the seventh amongst the seven who had been with Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and we had nothing to eat but the leaves of the tree until the sides of our mouth were injured. We found a sheet which we tore into two and divided between myself and Sa`d bin Malik. I made the lower garment with half of it and so did Sa`d. Today, there is none amongst us who has not become the governor of a city, and I seek refuge with Allah that I should consider myself great while I am insignificant to Allah.''
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith brings the following points into prominence:
1. Remembrance of Al-akhirah (the Hereafter) and the torment of Hell.
2. Description of the fast decline of the world and its trend towards destruction.
3. Description of the vastness of Jannah and Hell.
4. Reference to the affluence of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) which they had at a subsequent stage. It was in fact fulfillment of the Promise of Allah that He will bestow upon them power and majesty in this world.
5. The description of the graceful conduct of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH). In spite of having power and authority, they had neither arrogance nor pride. Goodwill and humility were special traits of their character and they always sought refuge with Allah against vanity and pride.
6. The Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) had sought to gain the pleasure of Allah rather than that of the people.
7. Humbleness of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), as well as their good conduct and uprightness despite being in a position of authority.
499. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) showed us a sheet and a thick lower garment and said to us Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was wearing them when he died.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: The incident reported in this Hadith abundantly proves that the Prophet (PBUH) was not only austere in the matter of food but also in clothes and other worldly goods. He was contented with a minimum of necessities of life.
500. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: By Allah, I am the first Arab who shot an arrow in the Cause of Allah. We fought along with Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when our food was only the leaves of Hublah and Samur trees (wild trees) until one of us would defecate like the droppings of sheep.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
1. This Hadith offers justification for enumerating the Blessings of Allah and the hardships which one may have suffered in one's past life, provided one does not mention the latter by way of complaint.
2. Lack of provision does not mean that the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) did not make any arrangement for food when they used to go for Jihad, but that their provision would finish during their campaigns.
What it actually means is the scarcity of food. They did not have foodstuff which could last till the end of the war, nor had they any system for its supply according to the requirements, with the result that they sometimes had to live on the tree-leaves.
501. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to supplicate: "O Allah, make the provisions of family of Muhammad (PBUH) bare subsistence.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
502. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: By Allah other than Whom there is none worthy of worship, I used to press my stomach against the earth owing to my hunger; I would tie a stone over it. One day, I was sitting on the way they usually take when the Prophet (PBUH) passed by me. When he saw me he smiled at me and knew my condition and my feelings. He called me and I replied, "At your service, O Messenger of Allah.'' He said, "Follow me.'' So I followed him. Having arrived at home, he sought permission and entered. He allowed me in and I, too, entered. He found milk in a bowl and asked, "Where is this from?'' He was told that it was a gift for him from so-and-so. He called me and I responded: "At your service, O Messenger of Allah.'' He said, "Go to the people of As-Suffah and usher them in.'' He Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) explained: The people of As-Suffah were guests of Islam; they had no family, no property and no relations. When Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to receive something in charity, he would send it to them without taking anything from it. When he received a present, he would send for them and share it with them. On this occasion, I disliked to give them anything. I said to myself: "This meagre quantity of milk will not be enough for all the people of As-Suffah! I am more deserving of it than anyone else. By drinking it I may attain some strength. When they come, he will order me to give it to them. I do not expect that anything will be left for me from this milk.'' As there was no alternative but to obey Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). I went and called them. They came and sought permission which was granted. They took their seats. The Prophet (PBUH) called me and I responded, "At your service, O Messenger of Allah.'' He then said, "Take the milk and give it to them.'' I took the bowl and gave it to one man who drank his fill and returned it to me, and I gave it to the next and he did the same. I went on doing this till the bowl reached Messenger of Allah (PBUH). By that time all had taken their fill. He (PBUH) took the bowl, put it on his hand, looked at me, smiled and said, "Abu Hirr.'' I said, "At your service, O Messenger of Allah.'' He said, "Now you and I are left.'' I said, "That is true, O Messenger of Allah.'' He said, "Sit down and drink.'' I drank, but he went on saying, "Drink some more.'' I said, "By Him Who has sent you with the Truth, I have no room for it.'' He said, "Then give it to me.'' So I gave him the bowl. He praised Allah, uttered the Name of Allah and drank the remainder.
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: First, this Hadith indicates the miracle of the Prophet (PBUH) as well as his love and compassion for Ahlus-Suffah, i.e., those poor people who used to stay at As-Suffah. Second, the Prophet (PBUH) would not accept charity, but only gifts. Third, he would also let others share a gift given to him by somebody. Fourth, as seen in this incident, the leftovers of a Muslim, whether food or drink, is permissible to others to consume. Fifth, to persuade a guest to eat or drink more is commendable. Sixth, to eat or drink to one's fill, without extravagance, is also permissible.
503. Muhammad bin Sirin (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "I would fall in swoon between the pulpit of (the mosque of) Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and the chamber of `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and every passer-by would put his foot on my neck thinking I was insane. I was not insane but I was awfully hungry.''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: The Hadith throws light on the poverty of the Companions as well as their self-respect, patience and contentment which prevented them from begging people.
504. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When Messenger of Allah (PBUH) died, his armour was mortgaged with a Jew for thirty Sa` (measures) of barley.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: In the Hadith, there is a mention of the asceticism of the Prophet (PBUH) and also a permissibility for transactions with the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). That is why he mortgaged his coat of mail with a Jew and took a loan against it.
505. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) mortgaged his armour for a quantity of barley, and I took to him some barley bread and rancid fat. I heard him saying: "The family of Muhammad never possessed a measure of wheat from dawn to dusk although they were nine houses (to feed).''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: The Prophet (PBUH) was perfectly humble and very generous to the point that he did not put anything away for himself until he had to mortgage his own armour for food.
506. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw seventy of the people of As-Suffah and none of them had a cloak. They had either a lower cloth or a blanket which they suspended from their necks. Some reached half way down to the legs and some to the ankles, and one of them would manage to keep it in his hand to avoid exposing his private parts.
[Al-Bukhari].
507. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: