Prophet Muhammad, a Simple Man


Despite his
position as leader, Prophet Muhammad never behaved as if he was greater
or better than other people. He never made people feel small, unwanted
or embarrassed. He urged his followers to live kindly and humbly,
releasing slaves whenever they could and giving in charity, especially
to very poor people, and the orphans, without waiting for any reward.

Prophet
Muhammad himself was never greedy. He ate very little and only simple
foods. He preferred never to fill his stomach. Sometimes, for days on
end, he would eat nothing but raw food. He slept on a very simple
mattress on the floor and had almost nothing in the way of home
comforts or decorations.

One day, Hafsah, his wife, tried to
make him more comfortable at night by folding his reed mat double -
without telling him - to make it softer for him. That night he slept
peacefully, but he overslept and missed the pre-dawn prayers. He was so
distressed and never slept like that again.

Simple living and
contentment were the key teachings in the Prophet's life: "When you see
a person who has been given more money and beauty than you, look then
to those who have been given less." Thinking this way will make us
thank Allah for His blessings, rather than feel deprived.

People
used to ask his wife, 'Aishah, the daughter of his first and most loyal
Companion Abu Bakr, how he lived at home. "Like an ordinary man," she
would answer. "He would sweep the house, stitch his own clothes, mend
his own sandals, water the camels, milk the goats, help the servants at
their work, and eat his meals with them; and he would go to fetch what
we needed from the market."

He seldom had more than one set of
clothes, which he washed himself. He was a home-loving, peace-loving
human being. "When you enter a house, ask God to bless it," he would
say. He greeted others with the phase: As-salamu alaykum - which means:
"May peace be upon you" - for peace is the most wonderful thing on
earth.

He was a firm believer in good manners, always greeting
people kindly, and showing respect to elders. He once said: "The
dearest of you to me are those who have good manners."

All his
recorded words and actions reveal him as a man of great gentleness,
kindness, humility, good humour and excellent common sense, who had a
great love for animals and for all people, especially his family.

Above
all, he was a man who practiced what he preached. His life, both
private and public, was a perfect model for his followers.

Prophet Muhammad, a Simple Man