The Seal of Prophets - His Personality and Character — Page 31
The Seal of Prophets 31 Aishah ra describes his bedding as a sack of hide filled with leaves. She says: “We never ate bread made of wheat for three consecutive days. There were times when months would pass and we did not eat meat or bread, instead filled our bellies with dates and some milk, except for an odd present when someone would slaughter a sheep and send us a piece of meat. ” Umar narrates: “I went into a small room which was occupied by the Holy Founder sa of Islam. He was lying on a straw bedding so rough in nature that on the side he was leaning, I saw straw marks all over his body. I scanned the room and it was empty, there was nothing except for a small bucket for water and one or two odd things. I knew him to be the most beloved of God, a person who had reached the summit of humanity. This contrast so overwhelmed me with sorrow that I started to cry. ” The Holy Prophet sa turned to me and said: “Umar, what has ailed thee?” I said: “0 Messenger of God, God loves you so much, you are the best ever created by Him, yet I see you in this state of extreme austerity. You don’t have proper bedding, you don’t have any articles to decorate your house, there is nothing. ” The Holy Prophet sa smiled and said: “Umar, would you prefer worldly things of this life to what is in store for us by God in the life to come?’’ Umar ra replied: “Surely the things to come will be better”. This is a small incident, but could an impostor do this? Why do people concoct lies? For what purpose? Is it to live such lives of austerity and pain, and for sharing miseries of their time with their devoted servants? If that is a lie, then there is no sense in truth itself; everything in man has to be false.