A Critique of Professor Arnold G. Toynbee’s Understanding — Page 29
29 Free of Glamour and Glitter It is quite common to find showy displays of pomp and glory and exaggerated greatness in the life of kings and other rich people. And all this is considered a necessary part of maintaining their image and establishing their pride and greatness. The Holy Pr ophet was completely oblivious to these methods of display and fame seeking. Worldly display of greatness, achievement, glamour, and glitter were completely absent from the entire life of the Holy Prophet. It is recorded in the Traditions of his life that once someone presented him with a gift of some silky garment. He accepted it and offered a prayer wearing it. After the prayer he took it off in great disgust and dislike and said: These clothes are not appropriate for the righteous. ( Bokhari, Kitab - ul - Libaas, A book of Holy Prophet’s sayings ). The state of his humility and lowliness may be gauged from the following incident. The Holy Prophet was often visited by the representatives of states and leaders of other tribes. On the occasions of the two Eids (annual Muslim festivals), he used to wear some very simple clothes despite his elevated status and position. Once, Hazrat Umar, his beloved disciple, and his second successor, was walking with the Holy Prophet. Hazrat Umar noticed some silky clothes, as they passed by a shop. On finding a suitable moment, he respectfully requested that the Holy Prophet buy that piece of silk and wear it during the Friday Sermons, and