The Life of This World from the Perspective of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and His Asceticism
What value did worldly wealth, coins, and dinars hold from the viewpoint of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)? Perhaps the greatest collection of words and power of expression cannot capture this reality.
The well-known saying of the Prophet (PBUH), which he exemplified in practice and around which his life revolved, was: «اللهم لا عيش الا عيش الآخرة» (“O Allah, there is no life but the life of the Hereafter”).
One day, Umar ibn al-Khattab (MABH) saw that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was lying on a straw mat, and the marks of it were visible on his blessed body. Tears flowed from Umar’s (MABH) eyes. The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “O Umar! Why are you crying?” Umar replied: “O Messenger of Allah! You are the most chosen of Allah’s creation, and this is your state, while Kisra and Qaysar are living in comfort.”
The blessed face of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) turned red from Umar’s (MABH) words, and he said: “Are you in doubt, O son of al-Khattab?” He then added: «اولئک قوم عجلت لهم طيباتهم في حياتهم الدنيا» (“Those are a people for whom the good things have been hastened in their worldly life; they have no share in the Hereafter.”). The Prophet (PBUH) did not just prefer this way of life for himself but also wished for his family and household to follow the same lifestyle.
Abu Huraira (MABH) says: “By the One in whose hand is the soul of Abu Huraira, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his family did not eat wheat bread for three consecutive days until they passed from this world.”
Aisha bint Abu Bakr (MABH) says: “A month would pass over us, the family of Muhammad (PBUH), without lighting a fire in our house for cooking. We relied only on two things: dates and water.”
The Prophet’s armor (PBUH) had been pledged to a Jew, and he could not find anything to retrieve it. Until he passed away, he did not recover it.
When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went for the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Muslims accompanied him wherever he looked; the entire peninsula was under the command of the Prophet. Despite this, he traveled on an old saddle, on which he had placed a tent worth four dirhams, and made this supplication: «اللهم اجعله حجاً لا رياء فيه ولا سمعة.» (“O Allah! Make this pilgrimage free from any show-off or ostentation.”)
The Relationship of the Prophet (PBUH) with the People
The worship and asceticism of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), along with his comprehensive devotion to Allah and engagement in prayers and supplications with his Lord, never prevented him from being cheerful and kind to people; rather, he would inquire about their conditions and show compassion towards them. He treated everyone with kindness, fulfilling the rights of every person entitled to them, which is something not everyone is capable of. He would say: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh less and weep more.”
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had more tolerance than anyone, and he was gentle and amiable. He would jest with his Sahaba and engage in conversations with them. He would joke with their children and embrace them. He accepted invitations from free people, slaves, maidens, and the needy. He would visit the sick in various parts of the city. He would accept apologies, and it was never seen that he would stretch his blessed legs among his Sahaba, lest it cause discomfort to anyone.
Abdullah ibn Harith (MABH) says: “I have not seen anyone who smiles more than the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was very affectionate and kind. The delicate human emotions and feelings manifested in their most beautiful form within his being.
Anas bin Malik (MABH) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would say to Fatimah (MABH), “O Fatimah, call my two children (Hasan and Husayn).” Then he would smell them and embrace them.
Once, he called his grandson, Hasan bin Ali (MABH), and Hasan (MABH) rushed in and settled into the embrace of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), putting his hand into the blessed beard.
Usamah bin Zayd (MABH) reports that the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent a message to him that her son was on the verge of death and asked him to come. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent someone to convey his greetings and say, «إن لله ما أخذ وما أعطى وكل شيء عنده بأجل مسمى، فلتصبر ولتحتسب.» (“Indeed, Allah takes and gives, and everything is with Him for an appointed term, so let her be patient and seek reward.”)
However, the Prophet’s daughter sent another message insisting that he should definitely come. The Prophet (PBUH) arose, and we rose with him and went. When he sat down, the child was brought to him, and he held him in his arms while his breaths were ceasing. In that moment, tears streamed down his blessed eyes. Sa’d asked, “What is this, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “This is a type of mercy that Allah places in the hearts of any of His servants He wills, and indeed, Allah is merciful to those servants who show kindness and mercy to others.”
The Prophet (PBUH) was very affectionate and kind to children. Anas (MABH) narrates that once the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by children who were playing and greeted them.
He was very compassionate towards Muslims and took great care of their conditions and situations, considering their worries and grief.
Ibn Mas’ud (MABH) says, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was considerate of us during his sermons, so that we would not become tired or bored.” The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), despite his love and devotion to prayer, would shorten and simplify it whenever he heard the sound of a child’s crying. He would say, “When I stand for prayer, I wish to make it lengthy; however, as soon as I hear a child’s cry, I shorten it out of concern that their mother may be distressed.”
Allah Almighty had purified the blessed heart of His chosen Messenger from envy and animosity. He held no malice or ill feelings toward anyone. He would say, “Do not bring me anything about my Sahaba; I want my heart to be entirely clean and pure when I come to you.”
The Prophet (PBUH) was like a loving father to the Muslims, treating all of them as if they were his own family. He showed them such compassion that is characteristic of breastfeeding women for a child they are weaning. He did not concern himself with how much wealth and provisions Allah, the Exalted, had granted them, but he was worried about their debts and took their responsibilities upon himself, saying, “Whoever leaves behind wealth, that wealth belongs to their heirs, but if they have debts or responsibilities, that is upon us.”
