Allah Almighty says: {But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued lusts; so they are going to meet evil. Except those who repent, believe and do righteous deeds; they will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all.} [Maryam: 59-60] He also says: {So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said: “Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qārūn. Indeed, he is one of great fortune.” But those who had been given knowledge said: “Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteous deed. And none are granted it except the patient.”} [Al-Qasas: 79-80] And He says: {Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.} [At-Takāthur: 8] Allah Almighty also says: {Whoever should desire the immediate - We hasten for him from what We will to whom We intend. Then We have prepared for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.} [Al-Isrā’: 18] There are many other well-known verses in this regard.
1) The people of prohibited lusts are those who turn away from their Lord and bask in their vain inclinations and goals.
2) The people of knowledge can detect the areas of tests and trials, given their patience and certitude.
491/1 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The family of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) never ate to the fill the bread of barley for two successive days until he died.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version: “The family of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) never ate to the fill the bread of wheat for three successive nights since he came to Madīnah until he passed away.”
Muhammad’s family: his wives and servants.
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his family renounced the possessions of this world and led an ascetic life. Had he wanted it, it would have come to him submissively.
2) Whoever leads a rough life should follow the example of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in terms of asceticism and patience.
492/2 - ‘Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “O son of my sister, by Allah, we used to see the new moon, then the new moon, then the new moon; three new moons in two months, and a fire was not kindled in the Messenger’s house.” I said: “O my aunt, what were your means of sustenance?” She said: “The two black things: dates and water. But the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) had some Ansār neighbors who had milch animals. They used to send the Messenger of Allah some milk from their animals and he would give us to drink.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) It is permissible for a person to tell others about the little he has at home, if this serves the purpose of admonition and reminder and is not intended for begging or showing discontent.
2) It describes the ascetic life led by the Prophet and his household; they lived on dates and water!
493/3 - Abu Sa‘īd al-Maqburi reported: Abu Hurayrah (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 (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) left the world without having eaten his fill of barley bread.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) It is recommended to invite righteous and virtuous people to food.
2) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to follow the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and have little of worldly pleasures and possessions.
3) It shows how the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led an austere life and had little food and drink.
494/4 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) neither ate at a table nor ate thin nicely baked bread until he died.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
In another version: “And he never even saw a Samīt lamb.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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Samīt lamb: a roasted young lamb.
1) It is recommended not to imitate the people of luxury and extravagance in food, drink, and clothes.
2) It shows the Prophet’s asceticism and abandonment of worldly pleasures and how he shared food and drink with the poor to make them pleased and happy.
495/5 - Al-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “I saw your Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) while he did not find enough low quality dates to fill his stomach.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led an ascetic life and would barely make ends meet, as he had no interest in worldly pleasures.
2) Blissful are those who endure poverty patiently and follow the Prophet’s example.
496/6 - Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) never saw bread made out of fine flour throughout his life, since Allah commissioned him until his death.” He was asked: “Did you not have sifters at the time of the Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “The Messenger of Allah never saw a sifter since Allah commissioned him until his death.” He was asked: “How did you manage to eat barley bread made of unsifted flour?” He said: “We used to grind it then blow away the husk, and what remained we kneaded into dough.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) It shows the asceticism of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, as they would only eat what was available with flexibility in this regard.
2) It is recommended to refrain from the luxurious and extravagant approach in eating, drinking, and dressing, in compliance with the example of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
497/7 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) went out one day or one night, and there he found Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. He said: ‘What brought you out of your houses at this hour?’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is hunger.’ Thereupon he said: ‘By Him in Whose hand is my life, what brought you out is what brought me out too; get up.’ They got up along with him and (all of them) came to the house of an Ansāri man, but he was not at home. When his wife saw the Messenger of Allah, she said: ‘Most welcome.’ The Messenger said to her: ‘Where is so-and-so?’ She said: ‘He has gone to get some fresh water for us.’ Thereupon, the Ansāri man came and when he saw the Messenger and his two Companions, he said: ‘Praise be to Allah, no one has more honorable guests today than I (have).’ He then went out and brought them a bunch of ripe dates, dry dates, and fresh dates, and said: ‘Eat some of them.’ He then took hold of his long knife (for slaughtering a goat or a sheep). The Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: ‘Beware of killing a milch animal.’ He slaughtered a sheep for them, and after they had eaten of it and of that bunch (of dates) and drank, fully satisfying their hunger and thirst, the Messenger said to Abu Bakr and ‘Umar: ‘By the one in Whose hand my soul is, you will surely be asked about these blessings on the Day of Judgment. Hunger urged you to get out of your houses, but you did not return until you have enjoyed these blessings.’” [Narrated by Muslim]
-- -- -- You will surely be asked about these blessings: This means that they will be asked to enumerate the blessings, not that they would be reprimanded for having them.
The Ansāri man whom they went to was Abu al-Haytham ibn al-Tīhān (may Allah be pleased with him), who is named in the version narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and others.
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1) Hunger brought the most virtuous men of this Ummah out of their houses. O people who are poor, do not be sad!
2) All the good things enjoyed be a person in this life are part of the bliss about which he will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.
3) It is permissible to enjoy good things, but a person is obligated to give thanks for them. Extravagance is prohibited.
498/8 - Khālid ibn ‘Umar al-‘Adawi reported: “‘Utbah ibn Ghazwān, who was the ruler of Basrah, delivered a sermon to us. He praised Allah and glorified Him, then said: ‘Verily, the world has been given the news of its end and is running to meet its end swiftly. Nothing is left of it but very little, like the remainder in a vessel whose owner is collecting it to drink. You are going to move to an abode which knows no end, and you should proceed there with the best of your deeds, for we have been informed that a stone would be thrown from the brink of Hell and it would travel down for seventy years without reaching its bottom. By Allah, it will be filled (with men and jinn). Do you find it strange? We have been informed that the distance between two shutters of the gate of Paradise is a forty-year travel, 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 (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and we had nothing to eat but tree leaves until the sides of our mouths were injured. I found a cloak so I tore it into two halves, one for myself and one for Sa‘d ibn Mālik. I wore it as a lower garment 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 in the sight of Allah.’'' [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) We are urged to advise one another, encourage one another to do good, and warn one another of the punishment of the Hereafter.
2) It points out this great admonition to the Ummah: Whoever is concerned with the Hereafter should not amass worldly possessions; and whoever desires worldly life will find it hard in the Hereafter, and whoever desires the Hereafter will find it hard in the life of this world.
3) It shows the condition of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions who were the forerunners in embracing Islam (may Allah be pleased with them). The gates to the world were never opened to people who opened their hearts to lusts, even if those lusts were permissible.
499/9 - Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) showed us a gown and a thick lower garment and said to us: ‘The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was wearing them when he died.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It describes the noble Prophet’s clothing, which was coarse and rough. How far (from his example) are those who lead a life of luxury!
2) It shows the Prophet’s asceticism, modesty, and contentment. He used to wear what was available, without extravagance or boastfulness.
The correct reporters of this Hadīth: Abu Burdah related from Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari, as narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim.
500/10 - Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās (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 the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and our food was only the leaves of wild trees. Our stool resembled the droppings of sheep; its contents unmixed (due to their extreme dryness).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) It is permissible to talk about one’s blessings from Allah and to mention one’s good deeds, if this is intended for preaching and advice.
2) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) patiently endured the harshness of life for the sake of raising high the banner of Islam. Whoever wishes to serve this religion should take them as his role model.
501/11 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O Allah, make the provision of the household of Muhammad bare subsistence.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) It is a sign of a person’s happiness that he is content with what is sufficient and spares him the need to beg people.
2) Moderateness is the Prophet’s approach; which is sufficiency, without extravagance or stinginess.
3) It was the Prophet’s guidance to ask Allah for sufficiency while seeking refuge from poverty.
502/12 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “By Allah besides Whom there is no god, I used to press my stomach against the earth because of hunger; I would tie a stone over it. One day, I was sitting on the way they usually take, when the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) passed by me. When he saw me, he smiled at me and knew my condition and what I felt. He called me and I replied: ‘At your service, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘Follow me.’ So I followed him. When he arrived at home, he sought permission and entered. He then allowed me in and I too entered. He found milk in a mug and asked: ‘Where is this milk 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 Suffah and call them over.’ The people of Suffah were the guests of Islam; they had no family or wealth or anyone to support them. Whenever he was brought charity, he would send it to them, without having anything of it himself. Whenever he was given a gift, he would send some of it to them and keep a share for himself. I felt uneasy about this (that he told me to call them over). I said to myself: ‘This meager quantity of milk will not be enough for all the people of Suffah! I am more deserving than anyone else of drinking from it to get some strength. When they come, he will order me to give it to them, and 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, I went and called them. They came and sought permission, which was granted. They took their seats. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) called me and I responded: ‘At your service, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: 'Take the milk and give it to them.’ I took the mug and gave it to one man who drank his fill and returned it to me, then I gave it to the next and he did the same. I went on doing this till the mug reached the Messenger of Allah. By that time all had taken their fill. He took the mug, put it on his hand, looked at me, smiled, and said: ‘O 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, then he said: ‘Drink some more.’ I drank, then he again told me to drink some more and kept telling me to drink until I said: ‘No, 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 mug. He praised Allah, said ‘Bismillah’ (in the name of Allah), and drank what was left.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) cared for the needy among his Companions and checked on them regularly.
2) The leading figures of this Ummah, i.e. the Companions, were mostly poor. So, there is no shame in being poor and faithful, and all shame is in being rich and faithless.
503/13 - Muhammad ibn Sīrīn related that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “There came a time when I would fall senseless between the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and ‘Ā’ishah’s dwelling whereupon a passerby would come and put his foot on my neck, considering me a mad man, but in fact, I had no madness; I suffered nothing but hunger.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) endured poverty and hunger patiently and abstained from begging.
2) Honor and glory are not afforded to someone unless he is put to trial and test. A case in point is Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). He became the leading figure in Hadīth reporting in the Ummah and the preserver of the Sunnah after he patiently endured hunger and fatigue. Hence, our Imām, Al-Shāfi‘i (may Allah have mercy upon him), said: “A man is not empowered until he is tested.”
504/14 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) died while his armor was mortgaged to a Jew for thirty measures of barley.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Armor: what is worn for protection during battle. It is made of iron.
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1) It points out the Prophet’s asceticism and his lack of interest in worldly possessions and vanities. If he had wished, the world would have come to him submissively, and he would have gotten mountains of gold; but, instead, he was the servant of Allah and His messenger.
2) It is permissible to deal with disbelievers in buying and selling and similar financial transactions.
505/15 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) mortgaged his armor for some barley, and I took to him some barley bread and rancid fat. I heard him saying: “The family of Muhammad does not have a measure of wheat from dawn to dusk,” though they were nine houses (to feed). [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his family patiently endured poverty and were content with what is little.
2) The most honored households in the sight of Allah Almighty are the houses of the Mothers of the Believers, i.e. the Prophet’s wives. Morning and evening would come while they had nothing to eat. There is a lesson in this for those who believe.
506/16 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I have seen seventy of the people of Suffah, none of them had a cloak. They either had a lower garment or a sheet that they tied around their necks. Some reached halfway down the shins and some reached the ankles; and some of them would hold it with their hand to avoid exposing their private parts.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1) Bliss can only be attained by giving up bliss. The people of Suffah, who were Companions of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), won the bliss of faith only by abandoning luxury and easy living.
2) Poverty does not prevent a person from reaching the top. In fact, no one should be sad about his poverty, but should rather weep over his weak resolve.
507/17 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The mattress of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was made of tanned leather stuffed with palm fibers.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was modest and uninterested in worldly pleasures, along with being perfectly content and submissive to Allah’s decree.
2) The mattress of the leader of all ascetic people was leather stuffed with palm fibers. Let those who follow the Prophet’s ascetic example take heed.
508/18 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “We were once sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) when a man from the Ansār came and greeted him. As he was leaving, the Messenger said to him: ‘O brother of the Ansār, how is my brother Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah?’ He replied: ‘He is well.’ The Messenger of Allah asked: ‘Who amongst you wishes to visit him?’ He then got up and we followed him. We were ten and odd in number and we were not wearing sandals nor light boots nor caps nor shirts. We walked on foot through the barren plain till we came to the residence of Sa‘d. His people made way and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) along with those who accompanied him went up to him.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It shows the Companions’ asceticism and simple clothes and how they patiently endured severe poverty and austere living.
2) True provision and clothing is that of piety. Look at those noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and consider how they lacked clothing, yet their hearts were filled with faith and guidance.
509/19 - ‘Imrān ibn al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best of you (people) are my generation, and the second best will be those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the second generation.” ‘Imrān added: I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three (generations) after his generation. Then, he said: “Then will come some people who will give their witness without being asked to give their witness; they will make vows but will not fulfill them; they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy; and obesity will appear among them.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It points out the superiority of the first three generations over those who came after them. Those are the Companions, the Tābi‘is (the generation that followed the Companions), and the generation that followed the Tābi‘is (may Allah be pleased with them all).
2) The best generations were marked by certain signs, such as holding onto the traits of sincere faith, abandonment of luxury, and moderateness with regard to food and drink.
3) The appearance of obesity in the succeeding generations is a sign of their shortcomings that resulted from their remoteness from the traits of true believers and their attachment to worldly pleasures.
510/20 - Abu Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be evil for you. Yet there is no blame upon you if you do so out of necessity. And start by spending on your dependents.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
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Your dependents: those your are obliged to provide for, like your wife and children.
1) We are urged to spend in the way of Allah, for this is what will endure and remain in store for us.
2) Moderation in all things is the best policy. This means fulfillment of needs without extravagance or asking people for financial aid.
3) The best charity is the one given to one’s family and kins, for it constitutes both charity and upholding of kinship ties.
511/21 - ‘Ubaydullāh ibn Mihsan al-Ansāri Al-Khatmi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever among you wakes up in the morning secure in his dwelling (or safe with his family), healthy in his body, and has his food for the day, it is as if the whole world has been given to him.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; and he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
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1) Security, good health, and sustenance are the best bliss a person can attain in this transient life.
2) The believers are urged to treat worldly life as a passing area, not a permanent residence. Allah Almighty put us in this life to pass through it, not to remain therein and ruin our lives in the Hereafter because it and forget our eternal abode in Paradise.
512/22 - ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Successful is the one who enters Islam and is provided with bare subsistence and Allah makes him content with what He has given him.” [Narrated by Muslim]
513/23 - Abu Muhammad Fadālah ibn ‘Ubayd al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Blessed is the one who is guided to Islam, lives on bare subsistence, and is content with it.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
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1) The sign of a person’s success and guidance is that he is content with the share of provision that Allah Almighty has given him.
2) The greatest blessing is the blessing of faith, guidance, and good health.
3) Bare subsistence is a sign of a person’s success and the guidance Allah has granted him. So, O you who are afflicted with poverty, do not grieve!
514/24 - Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to go to bed for consecutive nights on an empty stomach, and his household would find no supper, and their bread was mostly made of of barley.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
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1) It shows the Prophet’s asceticism and patience in dealing with difficult living.
2) It highlights the merit of the Mothers of the Believers (the Prophet’s wives) and their patience over the roughness of life, for they were living in the bliss of faith.
515/25 - Fudālah ibn ‘Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led the people in prayer, some men would collapse while praying from extreme hunger — Those were the people of the Suffah — until the Bedouins would say: “These people are mad.” So when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings upon him) finished the prayer, he would turn to them and say: “If you knew what was in store for you with Allah Almighty, you would love to be increased in poverty and need.” [Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Sahīh (authentic)]
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to comfort his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). He is our teacher and role model.
2) A person may slacken in performing good deeds due to his ignorance of the promised rewards. If he knew the truth, he would not be lazy.
516/26 - Al-Miqdām ibn Ma‘di Yakarib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is enough for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to straighten his back, but if he must (fill his stomach), then one third for his food, one third for his drink, and one third for his breath.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; and he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
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1) It gives a great Prophetic advice regarding the protection of health by adopting an approach of moderateness in eating and drinking. This precludes the causes of illness.
2) It points out the Prophet’s guidance in eating and drinking. This is part of the excellence of this blessed Shariah, which teaches its followers how to eat.
517/27 - Abu Umāmah Iyās ibn Tha‘labah al-Ansāri al-Hārithi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet’s Companions mentioned the life of this world before him one day. Thereupon, he said: “Will you not listen? Will you not listen? Simplicity in appearance is part of faith, simplicity in appearance is part of faith.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
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1) We are urged to act modestly and ascetically, as this inspires resolve to perform acts of worship and obedience. This is the attitude of a believer desiring the Hereafter.
2) This Prophetic guidance does not mean abandonment of cleanliness and beautification. Indeed, Islam calls for purification and adornment, yet without immoderation, for moderation in all things is the best policy.
518/28 - Abu ‘Abdullāh Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) dispatched us to intercept a caravan belonging to Quraysh, and he appointed Abu ‘Ubaydah as our commander. He gave us a bag of dates as provision, other than which he did not find anything for us. Abu ‘Ubaydah used to give us one date at a time.” He was asked: “What did you use to do with it?” He said: “We used to suck it just as a baby suckles, then we would drink some water after it, which would suffice us for the day until the night. We also used to beat off tree leaves with our sticks, then soak them in water and eat them.” He continued: “We then headed towards the sea coast, where something like a huge mound appeared to us. When we came to it, we found that it was an animal called 'al-‘Anbar' (sperm whale).” Abu ‘Ubaydah said: “It is a dead animal!” Then he said: “No, rather we are the messengers of the Messenger of Allah and we have gone out in the cause of Allah. Now you are forced by necessity, so you can eat.” We kept on eating from it for a month until we fattened up, and we were three hundred men. And indeed, I saw how we scooped out fat from the cavity of its eye in pitchers, then we would cut pieces from it like a bull or the size of a bull. Abu ‘Ubaydah took thirteen men from us and seated them in the cavity of its eye. He took one of its ribs and fixed it up, then saddled the largest camel of ours and it passed under it (the rib). We dried large pieces of its meat as provision for our journey back home. When we arrived at Madīnah, we came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned all of that to him. Thereupon, he said: ‘It is sustenance that Allah brought out for you. Do you have anything from its meat with you, so that you would feed us?’ We sent some of its meat to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), which he ate.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It shows the asceticism of the Companions and how they patiently endured hunger and poverty for the sake of conveying the Prophet’s message.
2) It points out how Allah Almighty honored and cared for the Prophet’s Companions, as He brought sustenance to them when they displayed sincere faith and patience in obeying their Lord. This is the attitude of true believers: They exhibit patience until relief comes from Allah Almighty. {And give glad tidings to the patient.}
519/29 - Asmā’ bint Yazīd (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The sleeves of the shirt of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) reached down to his wrists.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan (sound)] [2]
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1) We are urged not to wear long clothes, for this leads to boastfulness.
2) One of the signs of ascetic people is that they do not wear long clothes and brag about them.
520/30 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “We were digging (the trench) on the day of the Battle of the Trench and we came across a big solid rock. We went to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘Here is a rock appearing across the trench.’ He said: ‘I am coming down.’ Then he got up, and a stone was tied to his belly for we had not eaten anything for three days. So the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) took the axe and struck the big solid rock and it turned into sand. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, give me permission to go home.’ I said to my wife: ‘I saw the Prophet in a state that I cannot afford to see. Have you got something (for him to eat)?’ She replied: ‘I have barley and a goat.’ So, I slaughtered the goat and she ground the barley; then we put the meat in the earthenware cooking pot. Then, I came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) when the dough had become soft and fermented and (the meat in) the pot over the stone trivet had nearly been well-cooked, and said: ‘I have got a little food prepared, so get up, O Messenger of Allah, you and one or two men along with you (for the food).’ The Prophet asked: ‘How much is that food?’ I told him about it. He said: ‘It is abundant and good. Tell your wife not to remove the earthenware pot from the fire and not to take out any bread from the oven till I get there.’ Then he said (to all his Companions): ‘Get up.’ So the Muhājirūn and the Ansār got up. When I came to my wife, I said: ‘Alas! The Prophet came along with the Muhājirūn and the Ansār and those who were present with them.’ She said: ‘Did he ask you (how much food you had)?’ I replied: ‘Yes.’ Then, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Enter and do not throng.’ He started cutting the bread (into pieces) and put the cooked meat over it. He covered the earthenware pot and the oven whenever he took something out of them. He would give the food to his Companions then take the meat out of the pot. He went on cutting the bread and scooping the meat (for his Companions) until they all ate their fill, and even then, some food remained. Then, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said (to my wife): ‘Eat and gift others as the people are struck with famine.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version, Jābir reported: “When the Trench was dug, I saw the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the state of severe hunger. So I returned to my wife and said: ‘Have you got anything (to eat), for I have seen the Messenger of Allah in a state of severe hunger.’ She brought out for me a bag containing one measure of barley, and we had a small domestic goat. So I slaughtered the goat and my wife ground the barley, and she finished at the time I finished slaughtering the goat. Then I cut the meat into pieces and put it in an earthenware (cooking) pot and returned to the Messenger of Allah. My wife said: ‘Do not disgrace me in front of the Messenger of Allah and those who are with him (i.e. by bringing too many people for the food she had).’ So I went to him and said to him secretly: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have slaughtered a small goat of ours, and we have ground a measure of barley that we had. So please come, you and a few others along with you.’ The Prophet raised his voice and said: ‘O people of the Trench, Jābir has prepared a meal; so let us go.’ The Messenger said to me: ‘Don’t put down your pot (from the fire) or bake your dough till I come.’ So I came (to my house) and the Messenger came proceeding before the people. When I came to my wife, she said: ‘May Allah do such-and-such to you.’ I said: ‘I did what you said (i.e I told the Prophet how much food we had).’ Then she brought out to him the dough, and he (the Prophet) spat in it and invoked for Allah’s blessings in it. Then he proceeded towards our meat-pot and spat in it and invoked for Allah’s blessings in it. Then he said (to my wife): ‘Call a lady-baker to bake with you, and keep on taking out scoops from your meat-pot without taking it down from the fire.’ They were one thousand (who took their meal), and by Allah they all ate, and when they left the food and went away, our pot was still bubbling (full of meat) as if it had not decreased, and our dough was still being baked as if nothing had been taken from it.”
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Her statement: “May Allah do such-and-such to you” indicates that she was mad at him, for she believed that the food she had would not suffice them, which would make her embarrassed. It was unknown to her, however, that Allah Almighty would bestow such an honor on His Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) through this wonderful miracle. -- -- -- --
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1) It shows how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) loved the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and would prefer him over themselves, even in small things.
2) It informs of that great miracle of increasing the food that Allah the Exalted granted His Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and the believers, as a reward for their patience and sincere faith.
3) The believers have mutual solidarity amongst themselves and they unite against their enemies. Look at how they were all invited and gathered around one food, and imagine how they would act like one firm structure!
521/31 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Abu Talhah said to Um Sulaym: “I felt some feebleness in the Prophet’s voice and perceived that it was due to hunger; so do you have any food?” She said: “Yes,” and brought out barley loaves. She then took out a head-covering of hers, in a part of which she wrapped those loaves and then put them underneath my mantle and covered me with a part of it. She then sent me to the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). I set forth and found the Messenger sitting in the mosque in the company of some people. I stood near them, whereupon the Messenger said: “Has Abu Talhah sent you?” I said: “Yes.” He said: “Is it for a meal?” I said: “Yes.” Thereupon, the Messenger told those who were with him to get up. They went forth and I went ahead of them until I came to Abu Talhah and informed him. Abu Talhah said: “Um Sulaym, here comes the Messenger along with people and we do not have (enough) food to feed them.” She said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” Abu Talhah went out and proceeded until he met the Messenger, and the Messenger came along with him until they both came in. Then, the Messenger said: “Um Sulaym, bring forth what you have.” She brought that bread. The Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that the bread be broken into small pieces then Um Sulaym squeezed the contents of a small bag (used mostly to store ghee and honey) on it. The Messenger recited over it what Allah wished him to say and then said: “Permit ten to come in.” So he (Abu Talhah) gave permission to them and they came in and ate until they had their fill then went out. He again said: “Permit ten (more),” so he gave permission to them and they ate until they had their fill then went out. He again said: “Permit ten (more),” until all the people had eaten to their fill, and they were seventy or eighty men. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version: “Groups of ten kept entering and going out until all of them entered and ate their fill. He then collected the remaining food and it was the same as it had been before they ate from it.”
In another version: “They, in groups of ten, ate, until eighty men did so. Then, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his household ate and left a remainder.”
In another version: “Then they sent what was left to their neighbors.”
In another version: Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) one day and found him sitting with his Companions, and he had a band tied on his belly. I asked some of his Companions why the Messenger tied his belly and they said: “Because of hunger.” I went to Abu Talhah, the husband of (my mother) Um Sulaym bint Milhān, and said to him: “O father, I saw the Messenger having tied a band on his belly. I asked some of his Companions and they said that it was because of hunger.” Abu Talhah went to my mother and said: “Is there any food here?” She said: “Yes, I have some pieces of bread and some dates. If the Messenger of Allah comes to us alone, we can feed him to his fill, but if someone comes along with him, this would be insufficient for them.” The rest of the Hadīth is the same.
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1) It shows the merit and wisdom of Um Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her). She knew that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) invited many people deliberately for the purpose of revealing the miracle of increasing the food. So, she said: Allah and His Messenger know best. This attitude highlights her virtue which manifested in her submission to the command of Allah and the command of His Messenger.
2) It shows how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) cared about the condition of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
3) It reveals the state of asceticism and poverty that the community of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) lived in.
Saying: “Allah and His Messenger know best” is permissible with regards to religious Shariah matters. As for worldly affairs, we should only say: “Allah knows best.” This is because the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), albeit the best and most honored man in the sight of Allah Almighty, did not know the unseen. {And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me} [Al-A‘rāf: 188]. The perfect Shariah came to guide people’s words, actions, and conditions. Every believer, who loves Allah and His Messenger, should be careful to base his words on this divine Shariah and not get deceived by the fact that many people may take it lightly and turn to alternative laws.