Impact of the Prophet Teachings

The life and character of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) made such a powerful impact on the hearts and minds of the companions that their attitude towards life, family and property was largely determined by his own example, and they, on the whole, became the living symbols of his precepts. Of them, those who were nearer to him, naturally, bore a deeper imprint of his personality.

The deeds of piety, compassion and self-denial that were habitually performed by them in their daily lives are worthy of being written in letters of gold in the annals of religion and ethics. No community in the world can boast of such a marvelous legacy of virtue and moral excellence.

It is a well-known fact about Caliph Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) that he returned the money; his wife had carefully saved to purchase the ingredients to make halwa (sweet dish) to Bait-al-Hal. He further instructed the amount she had saved to be deducted them for already meagre allowance.

The sacrificial spirit of Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) and the life of rugged simplicity and asceticism he led have become proverbial. It will suffice here to relate the incident of his journey to Jabia (in Syria) as the Caliph of Muslims and the Head of the Islamic State.

In the words of a renowned historian,  "Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) was riding on a camel (and) his head was shining in the sun. There was neither a cap on it nor an Amama (a headpiece commonly worn by the Arabs). His legs were dangling on the two sides of the saddle and under him was only an ordinary woollen cushion which served for his bed when he halted and for the pack-saddle when he rode. He also carried a bag which was stuffed with cotton-wool. He used it as a pouch while he travelled and as a pillow while he rested. His shirt was made of a coarse cloth. It was old and was also torn on one side."

Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was the wealthiest man among his friends. Of him Shurhabeel tells that he entertained others on a lavish scale but ate only bread and oil himself. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is included among the most self-restraint and austerity has been described in the following words by Darar bin Damora.

"He shunned the world and its allurements and liked the darkness and solitude of the night. He had a reflective nature and would often appear to be lost in thought. In that state he would make movements with his hands which showed that his attention was turned inwards. His dress was simple and his food was abstemious. By God! He looked to be one of us (the common people). If we asked anything from him he would answer promptly and when we went to see him he would start the conversation himself. When we invited him, he would readily accept our invitation."

The ennobling influence of the Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) character was felt in the lives of the people of his household, the illustrious Caliphs and the Holy Companions in proportion to the closeness of their association with him. The place occupied by Sayeda Ayesha (his most beloved wife) in dountness, self-abnegations and magnanimity is very high. It has, for instance, been put on record by chroniclers that once she distributed a lakh of dirhams as charity despite the fact that her own clothes were worn-out and she was fasting. After it was over, her maid said to her it would have been better if she had saved a few dirhams for Iftar (the fast-breaking meal). Sayeda Ayesha replied: "I would have, had you reminded me of it at that time." She had given a lakh of dirhams and forgotten her own hunger.