The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page cclxxviii
GENERAL INTRODUCTION the Prophet they often had to sustain themselves on dates and water and that on the day of his death there was no food in the house except a few dates (Bukhārī). Relationship With God Every aspect of the Holy Prophet's life appears to have been governed and coloured by his love for and devotion to God. In spite of the very heavy responsibilities that had been laid upon his shoulders, the greater portion of his time during the day as well as during the night was spent in the worship and praise of God. He would leave his bed at midnight and devote himself to the worship of God till it was time to go to the mosque for the morning prayers. He sometimes stood so long in prayer during the latter part of the night that his feet would get swollen, and those who saw him in that condition were always much affected. On one occasion ‘Ã'ishah said to him: "God has honoured you with His love and nearness. Why then do you subject yourself to so much discomfort and inconvenience?" He replied: "If God has by His Grace and Mercy conferred His love and nearness upon me, is it not my duty in return to be always rendering thanks to Him? Grati- tude should increase in proportion to the favours received" (Bukhārī, Kitābul- Kusūf). He never entered upon any undertaking without divine command or permission. It has already been related in the biographical portion that, in spite of the very severe persecution to which he was subjected by the people of Mecca, he did not leave the town till he received the divine command to do so. When persecution became very severe and he gave permission to his Companions to migrate to Abyssinia, some of them expressed a desire that he should accompany them. He declined to do so on the ground that he had not received divine permission to that effect. Thus, during a period of hardships and persecution when people usually like to keep their friends and relations close to themselves, he directed his Companions to seek refuge in Abyssinia and himself stayed behind in Mecca, for God had not yet directed him to leave it. Whenever he heard the word of God being recited, he was overcome by emotion and tears would start from his eyes, especially if he was listening to verses which emphasized his own responsibilities. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud relates that he was on one occasion asked by the Holy Prophet to recite some verses of the Quran to him. He said: "O Messenger of Allah! The Quran has been revealed to you (i. e. you know it best of all). How then shall I recite it to you?" But the Holy Prophet said: "I love to hear it recited by other people also. " Thereupon 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd began to recite from Sūrah An-Nisā”. When he recited the verse: "And how will it fare with them when We shall bring a witness from every people, and shall bring thee as a witness against cclii