The Excellent Exemplar - Muhammad — Page 77
THE EXCELLENT EXEMPLAR — MUHAMMAD 77 Indeed, his personal requirements were always kept at the barest minimum, and that minimum he accepted and appreciated as a generous Divine bounty. This was strikingly illustrated on the day Mecca surrendered and opened its gates to him. That was a day of great triumph. The Prophet busied himself with settling and supervising the orderly carrying through of the complicated and delicate operation, and when everything lied been satisfactorily accomplished, he bethought himself of procuring some nourishment. H e went to the house of his cousin, Umm - i - Hany, who was delighted to welcome him, but was distressed that she had nothing in the house which she could offer him except a piece of very stale bread, too hard to be swallowed. When she mentioned this to the Pro phet, he smiled and said, “Surely, Umm - i - Hany, it can be softened by being soaked in water. And have you anything which could make it more palatable?” She replied, “There is a little of the dregs of vinegar left over from long ago. ” The Prophet said, “That would be excellent. ” He then proceeded to soak the piece of bread in water, and when it was softened, he ate it with the few drops of black vinegar, first pronouncing the name of God over the “meal” and rendering thanks to Him when he finished, as if it h ad been a banquet. He thanked his cousin and observed, “Umm - i - Hany, what a bounty bread and vinegar is. ” At night, between the prescribed services, he spent long hours in Prayer. He stood so long in Prayer that sometimes his feet became swollen. This once moved Ayesha to venture a mild protest. The Prophet said: “Ayesha, God has been so profuse in bestowing H is bounties upon me that it behooves me to be the most grateful of His servants. ”