FAZA’IL –E- A’MAAL

FAZA’IL –E- A’MAAL

CHAPTER III

ABSTINANCE AND SELF-DENIAL OF THE SAHABAH

The Prophet Mohammad (SAW) has said, “Abstinence is an asset of a Mo’min.”


2. The Prophet’s (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) Life of Abstinence:

Once, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) decided to stay away from his wives for one month as he was displeased with them on some account. He lived for that one month in a separate room in the upper storey. A rumor that the Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) had divorced his wives had got afloat among the Sahabah. When ‘Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) heard of this, he came running to the musjid and found the Sahabah sitting in groups, struck with grief over the Prophet’s suffering. He went to his daughter Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha), who was a wife of the Prophet, and found her weeping in her room. He said to her:

“Why are you weeping now? Have I not been warning you all these times to refrain from any act likely to cause the Prophet’s displeasure?”

He returned to the musjid and found some of the Sahabah sitting near the pulpit and weeping. He sat there for some time, but could not sit for long due to his excessive grief. He went towards the room where the Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) was staying. He found Rabah (Radhiyallaho anho), a slave sitting on the steps. He asked him to go and inquire of the Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) if he could allow ‘Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) to see him. Rabah went inside and came back to inform him that the Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) held his peace and said nothing. ‘Umar (Radhiyallaho anho), returned to the musjid and sat near the pulpit. Again, the anguish eating his heart would not allow him any rest, and he requested Rabah to convey his request to the prophet a second time. The Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) did not make any answer this time too. After tarrying near the pulpit for some time more, ‘Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) craved permission to see the Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) for the third time. This time, his request was acceded to. When he was ushered in, he saw the Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) lying on a date leaf matting. The crossed pattern of the matting could easily be seen imprinted on his handsome body. He had a leather bag filled with the bark of the datepalm as a pillow.

Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) says:

“I greeted him with Assalamo alaikum and inquired: ‘Have you divorced your wives, O, Prophet of Allah?” He answered in the negative. Much relieved, then I made bold to remark, a bit amusingly; O, Prophet of Allah! We the Qureysh have always been having the upper hand over our women. But in the case of the Ansar of Madinah, it is the women who have the upper hand. Our women have also got influenced by the women over here’. I said a few more similar things which made him smile. I noticed that the contents of his room consisted of only three pieces of tanned skin and a handful of barley lying in a corner. I looked about, but I failed to find anything else. I began to weep. He said; ‘Why are you weeping?’ I replied: ‘O, Prophet of Allah! why should I not weep? I can see the mat’s pattern imprinted on your body, and I am also beholding all that you have got in this room. O, Prophet of Allah! Pray that Allah may grant ample provisions for us. The Persians and the Romans who have no true faith and who worship not Allah but their kings—Caesar and Chosroes – presently live in gardens with streams running in their midst, but the chosen Prophet and the accepted slave of Allah does live in such a dire poverty!’ The Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihe wasallam) was resting against his pillow, but when he heard me talk like this, he sat up and said; ‘O, ‘Umar! Are you still in doubt about this matter? Ease and comfort in the Hereafter are much better than ease and comfort in this world. The unbeleivers are enjoying their share of the good things in this very world, whereas we have all such things in store for us in the next. I implored him: ‘O, Prophet of Allah! Ask forgiveness for me. I was really in the wrong”.