Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
Alms (Zakat) [Part 16]
The Life of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and His Family
What was the life of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) like—a life that was chosen and embraced by the pure wives? Lady Aisha al-Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her), with her innate honesty and unmatched insight—وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ—has said: “The family of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never filled their stomachs with wheat bread. Sometimes a month or even two months would pass without a fire being lit in our house, and our only food was dates and water. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed away while there was nothing in our house that a human could eat—except a piece of barley bread placed on a shelf.”
One day, Umar (MABH) came to the Prophet (PBUH) and saw that he was sleeping on a rough mat that had left marks on his side. Looking around the house, he saw only a leather sack hanging on the wall, a handful of barley, and a worn-out mat. He began to weep. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked, “O Umar, why are you crying?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allah! Why shouldn’t I cry? This mat has left marks on your side, and your possessions are just what I see—while Khosrow and Caesar live in luxury among gardens and rivers, and yet you are the Messenger of Allah and His chosen one.” The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “O Umar! Do you doubt this? They are a people whose pleasures have been hastened for them in this world.”
Discomfort with Excess Wealth and Surplus Zakat:
The Prophet (PBUH) never found peace in owning more wealth than was necessary—neither below need nor above contentment. He had the same sentiment about leftover Zakat funds after distribution to the poor and needy.
Hazrat Aisha (MABH) said: “During the illness of the Prophet’s passing, there were six or seven dinars with me. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had commanded me to distribute them. But I became preoccupied with his illness and forgot. He asked, ‘What happened to the six or seven dinars?’ I said, ‘No, I have not distributed them. I was busy with your illness.’ He requested them, placed them in his shoe, and said: ‘What would the Messenger of Allah think if he were to meet Allah while they were still in his possession?’”
The Prophet (PBUH) never delayed in giving wealth to those deserving of it.
It is narrated from Uqbah ibn Harith (MABH): “I prayed Asr behind the Prophet (PBUH) in Medina. After concluding the prayer, he quickly stood up, passed through the rows, and went into one of his wives’ chambers. People were surprised at his haste. When he returned and noticed their surprise, he said: ‘I remembered that some gold was left with us and I disliked letting it remain with me, so I ordered it to be distributed.’”
In another narration: “Some gold from Zakat funds was with us, and I disliked its presence in the house.”
Encouragement to Give Away Surplus Wealth:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) instructed his Sahaba and nation to have a specific attitude toward wealth. These teachings are so moving and persuasive that anyone reading them in the books of hadith might think that no one has any right to keep surplus wealth. One might even feel discomfort in enjoying the blessings Allah has spread for him—luxuries, household goods, delicious food, and diverse clothing. In reality, these hadiths are examples of encouragement and practical models from the Prophet’s life, about which Allah says: لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
He (PBUH) also said: “Whoever has an extra mount should give it to someone without one, and whoever has extra provisions should give to someone who has none.”
He also said: “Whoever has enough food for two people should invite a third, and whoever has enough for three should invite a fourth.”
He said as well: “Whoever sleeps full while his neighbor is hungry and he knows about it, has not believed in me.”
It is narrated that a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me some clothes.” The Prophet turned away. He repeated his request. The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “Don’t you have a neighbor who owns two garments, and one is extra?” The man replied: “Yes, many such neighbors.” The Prophet said: “May Allah does not gather you with them in Paradise.”
The Value of Humanity and Compassion in Islam
Islam has raised the value of human life and empathy to the highest imaginable level. Failing in this regard is as though one has failed in their duty toward Allah Himself.
In a Qudsi hadith, Allah says on the Day of Judgment:
“O son of Adam, I was ill, and you did not visit Me.”
He will say: “O Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?”
Allah will say: “Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was ill, and you did not visit him? Had you visited him, you would have found Me with him.
O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you did not feed Me.”
He will say: “O Lord, how could I feed You while You are the Lord of the worlds?”
Allah will say: “Did you not know that My servant so-and-so asked you for food and you did not feed him? Had you fed him, you would have found that with Me.
O son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me to drink.”
He will say: “O Lord, how could I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds?”
Allah will say: “My servant so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him. Had you done so, you would have found that with Me.”
And the highest level of compassion—one that surpasses all ranks of justice, virtue, and sympathy—is this hadith of the Prophet (PBUH): “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
Continues…
[1]. Surah Fatir, verse 13.
[2]. Sahih Bukhari and Muslim.
[3]. Regarding the hadiths mentioned in this topic, reference will be made to the books Sahih Bukhari, Musnad Ahmad and Sunan Ibn Majah.
[4]. Musnad Imam Ahmad.
[5]. Sahih Bukhari.
[6]. Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 21.
[7]. Sunan Abu Dawud narrated by Abu Saeed Al-Khudri.
[8]. Sunan Tirmidhi.
[9]. Sunan Tabarani and Bazari.
[10]. Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat, Tabarani.
[11]. Sahih Muslim.
[12]. Sahih Bukhari.
