A Critique of Professor Arnold G. Toynbee’s Understanding — Page 33
33 It is recorded in history that once the Holy Prophet was in a jungle together with his Companions. It became necessary to cook something. To each he assigned one task or the other and said that I shall go and bring some wood for the fire ( Lurqani ). Despite his very elevated status, he never hesitated the least from doing the lowliest of tasks. Like the most ordinary of people, he executed many types of chores. He helped in the daily chores of the house. His wife Hazrat Ayesha is reported in Bokhari a nd the other books of Traditions, to have said that the Holy Prophet used to help us in the household chores. It never even occurred to him that he was a great and very elevated being. ( Bokahri, Kitab - ul - Adab ). Once he came out of the house and the Companions stood up in respect. He said: Do not stand up to honor someone as is the practice of some of the unlearned people. ( Abu Daud, Vol. II, p. 363 ). It is recorded in the traditions that once a person came to meet the Holy Prophet. He began to shake and shiver in anticipation of meeting the Prophet of God. The Holy Prophet, seeing this condition of the man, assured him: Do not be afraid. I am not an an gel. I am the son of a Quraish (His tribe) woman who used to cook dried meat to eat. ( Shama’el Tirmidhi ). What type of King or Caesar was this who left Makkah and came to Madinah, and forsook his Prophetic role and adopted the ways of a king? Does one find even the least iota of proof, in support of Toynbee’s allegations, in the recorded events, in his appearances, habits, or customs? Do we see anywhere in the