(56) Chapter: Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little

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)


'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The family of Muhammad (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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).