As with everything else in his life, the Prophet (SAW) was an ideal example when it came to his dealings with others. If, for instance, someone is to lend him something, the Prophet (SAW) would pay him back with something better and more expensive. The Prophet (SAW) would do so without any prior agreement; the terms of his loan required him to pay back only what he borrowed. So it was out of his generosity that, when it came time to pay back a loan, he (SAW) out of the kindness of his heart, would pay his creditor back with something better than the thing he borrowed. This form of generosity is different from transactions involving usury, for usury involves a prior agreement, or understanding, that the borrower will pay his creditor back more than he initially borrowed. And Allah knows best.
On one occasion, a man went to the Prophet (SAW) and asked to be paid back for a camel he had lent the Prophet (SAW). That the man asked to be paid back was fine in the minds of the companions (RA); the only problem was that he asked the Prophet (SAW) in a harsh tone. His attitude and harsh speech infuriated the Prophet’s companions (RA), so much so, that they would have physically hurt the man had not the Prophet (SAW) stopped them from doing so. The Prophet (SAW) said to his companions (RA), “Leave him, for indeed, a person who is deserving a right (i.e., of a loan to be paid) has the right to speak in a demanding tone.” The companions then said, “O messenger of Allah (SAW), we can only a camel that is of a better age (i.e., that is worth more) than the camel he lent to you.” The Prophet (SAW) said to them, “Give it to him,” after which the man said, “You have paid me in full, and may Allah (SWT) do the same for you (by giving you full rewards for your good deeds).” The Prophet (SAW) said, “The best of Allah’s slaves are those among them who are the best at paying back loans.” (Bukhari)
On another occasion, the Prophet (SAW) purchased a camel from Jabir ibn Abdillah (RA) And when Jabir (RA) went to give the Prophet (SAW) the camel he purchased, the Prophet (SAW) said, “Do you think that I was haggling with you over its price?” Jabir (RA) said, “No, O Messenger of Allah (SAW).” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Take both the camel and the money (I paid to purchase it).” (Bukhari)
The Prophet’s manners were the best and always will be the best, and why should not that be the case, for his character, as Aishah (RA) succinctly put it, was “the Qur’an.” And in his own words, the Prophet (SAW) said, “Verily, I have been sent only to complete in myself and others the noblest of manners.” (Baihaqi)
Of all people, the Prophet (SAW) desired the least from this world. Despite being the leader of a nation, and despite being able to get anything he needed by simply making a gesture to his companions, the Prophet (SAW) would sleep on a straw mat, a mat that would leave marks on the side of his body. One day, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) visited the Prophet (SAW), who, at the time, was sleeping. When he woke up, he began to rub the side of his body; upon seeing him do that, Umar (RA) said, “O Messenger of Allah (SAW), would that you took a bed that is better and more comfortable than this one?” The Prophet (SAW) said, “What do I have to do with this world? Verily, the example of me and this world is nothing save the example of a rider who has travelled on a scorching, hot day; who seeks shade under a tree for an hour during the day; and who then gets up and leaves it.” (Tirmidhi)
When it came to food and drink in particular, the Prophet (SAW) was, to put it mildly, abstemious. If food was available, he (SAW) would eat; but because of the difficult circumstances he (SAW) and his companions (RA) had to frequently endure, it often happened that there was no food to eat. And, as happened often, even if the Prophet (SAW) and his family had good quality food, they preferred to give to others rather than eat it themselves.
Abu Hurairah (RA) said, “Until {Prophet} Muhammad (SAW) died, it never occurred that his family became full-on food for three days in a row.” (Bukhari). Aishah (RA) said, “The Prophet (SAW) left this world without ever having eaten enough bread made from barley to satisfy his appetite.” (Bukhari). According to another narration, Aishah (RA) said, “The family of Muhammad (SAW) never ate two meals in a single day, unless one of those (two) meals consisted of dates.” (Bukhari). She (RA) also said, “Verily, we once saw three new moons in a span of two months, and during the entire period not a single fire for cooking was lit in the houses of the Messenger of Allah (SAW).” Urwah (RA) asked her, “Then what would nourish all of you?” She (RA) replied, “The two black things: dates and water.” (Bukhari)
(Ends)
by Sa’eed bin Ali bin Wahf Al-Qahtani
