The Prophet desired poverty more than affluence

 

The Prophet desired poverty more than affluence

 

Qadhi ‘Iyaadh has related in Shifa on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) never had anything enough to satiate Him and neither did He ever complain of it.

 

The Prophet liked poverty more than He liked affluence.  Many times it happened so that the Prophet would spend a sleepless night because of hunger and then fast the next day.

 

If the Prophet desired so, He could have made a single supplication and all the treasures of the world would have opened up which would have ensured a life of luxury.

 

I would feel like crying on seeing the hunger of the Prophet.  Once, I passed my hands over the Prophet’s stomach and said:  May my life be sacrificed for You!  At least take as much from the world as is necessary.  He said:  What do I have to do with this world?  My brothers, the (earlier) great Prophets patiently bore greater difficulties than these for their whole life.  When they went back to their Lord, they were honored and given great bounties.  I would be embarrassed if led a life of plenty and stay behind My brothers.  I desire nothing more than meeting My brothers, friends and the Lord Almighty.

 

Hadhrat ‘Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her) says:  Not more than a month passed after this that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) passed away into the presence of Allah Most High.

 

 

[Excerpted from Maqaasid Ul Islam, Vol. 5]