An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 84
84 to collect fuel wood for cooking food. The companions would not let him. They said they would do all the work and serve him. He said, he would not like a special treatment “as God loves not one who wants to be above his companions. ” During the journey to Badr , Muslims had very few mounts. Three of them rode one camel by turns. The Prophet took his turn like others. The companions insisted that he should ride and they would walk. The Prophet said, “You cannot walk faster than me and I am more anxious to win merit than you. ” He shared domestic work with his wives. Ayesha says, “He engaged himself in household chores. He would patch his clothes with his own hands. He would sweep the floor, milk the goats, do his shopping, cobble his shoes and mend the bucket and tether the camel and give it fodder and join in kneading the dough. ” The slave - women of Medina freely called on him for help. He would respond to every distress call. Hind Ibne Hala, who knew him intimately from childhood says, “He was mild of temper not harsh; he would insult no one; was grateful for the smallest service, would not find fault with anything; would eat of whatever was placed before him and pass no remarks. He would be angry only when someone opposed the truth. In his personal affairs