Chapter 49- Rasulullahﷺ Political Strategy :The Missionary Spirit - Calling Neighbouring Nation To islam

1. The first letter sent to Asham bin Abjar Negus (It seems that this was not the first Negus before whom the case of the migrants was put and who had accepted Islam at the hands of Saiyidina Jaafar Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه and whose funeral prayer in absentia was offered by Rasulullahﷺ. It is, however, a (controversial matter) was sent through Amr bin Umayyah in which the group of Muslims migrating to Abyssinia was mentioned with particular reference to Saiyidina Jaafar Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه and the ruler was requested to treat the migrants properly, at the same time calling the ruler and his people to embrace Islam! The Negus [It seems that this was not the first Negus before whom the case of the migrants was put and who had accepted Islam at the hands of Saiyidina Jaafar Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه and whose funeral prayer in absentia was offered by Rasulullahﷺ. It is, however, a controversial, matter.] was already influenced by Islam and he wrote a detailed reply.

2. Munzir bin Sadi was a ruler of Bahrain under the emperor of Iran. Ala'bin Hazrami was sent with a letter to him. He accepted Islam along with a number of others and wrote in reply that while some people were enlightened by Islam, there were some others opposed to it and wanted to remain to send his son as an emissary to Rasulullahﷺadding that if desired, he would himself come to Rasulullahﷺ. Rasulullahﷺ wrote again that those who wanted to remain Christians and Jews should not be forced to change their religion. They should be given religious liberty but asked to pay only Jizia.  

3. Jafer and Abd were two sons of Jalandi and ruled over Oman. Amr bin Aas went to them with Rasulullahﷺ's letter and first met the younger Abd, and then a darbar was held at which in the presence of two brothers Amr bin Aas read Rasulullahﷺ's letter and answered questions put to him. They remained in suspense for some time and then both the brothers along with most of their people accepted Islam.

4. Munzir bin Haris bin Abu Shimr was the ruler of Damascus to whom Shuja bin Wahb Alasadi carried Rasulullahﷺ's letter. At first, he was angry but subsequently cooled and honourably sent back Rasulullahﷺ's emissary although he did not accept Islam.

5. Hauza bin Ali was the ruler of Yamen and a follower of Christianity. Sulait bin Amr went to him with Rasulullahﷺ's letter. Without realizing the purpose of Rasulullahﷺ's invitation he began to bargain and offered to accept Islam if half of the Islamic state was given to him as his share. He died soon after and when the report reached Rasulullahﷺ he declared that he could not surrender an inch of land or a site for a date tree as a bargain. Every part of the land on which the Islamic system was established became a sacred trust.

6. Jarih bin Mati Maquqas was the ruler of Alexandria and Egypt and a Christian, Hatib bin Abi Balt'aa went to his court with Rasulullahﷺ's letter. The emissary talked to Maquqas very frankly and warned him that someone there had once claimed to be the highest God but met with Divine punishment. They should take lessons from others they should become an example to others. Then he explained the superiority of Islam over Christianity and said that he was presenting to them the religion of Christ himself as Islam was not a new religion. Although Maquqas did not agree to accept Islam, he paid great respect to Rasulullahﷺ's emissary, put Rasulullahﷺ's letter in his treasury in the box of ivory and sent gifts of Humanity to Rasulullahﷺ which included the famous white mule. Maquqas wrote in reply that he knew that the last Prophet was to come but thought that he would be borne in Syria.

7. Heracles, the Roman emperor, ruled over the eastern empire of Roman-Byzantine and Constantinople was his capital. Rasulullahﷺ sent to his court Wahiyya bin Khalifa Kalbi  رضي الله عنه with his letter. Wahiyya met the emperor in Jerusalem. Heracles held a great congress in honour of the emissary of Madinah and asked for a number of details about Rasulullahﷺ. Then he asked that if any other person from Makkah was there he should be presented. Incidentally, the leader of Rasulullahﷺ's hostile front Abu Sufian had gone to Syria on a commercial trip and he was brought to Heracles with his business partners. 

Heracles told his companions that he was going to ask Abu Sufian some questions and they should correct him if he made any wrong statements. Abu Sufian said later that if he were not afraid that he would be deceived by his own partners, he would have told lies but the situation was such that even an enemy of Rasulullahﷺ could not tell a lie about him. Heracles asked Abu Sufian about Rasulullahﷺ's family, his clan, his manners, the life of his companions, the progress of the mission, the position of Muslims in wars, Islamic teachings and some other things. 

Having listened to all this attentively he told Abu Sufian, "If all that you say is true, then this man will one day occupy the place where I am sitting today. I wish I could go over to Rasulullahﷺand washes his feet." Therefore, Rasulullahﷺ's letter was read out which upset the courtiers as the state of the mind of Heracles had perturbed them and so they hastened to send back the people of Makkah. This conversation greatly impressed Abu Sufian.

8. Khosrau Parvez, ruler of Iran, ruled over a vast kingdom and was a follower of Zoroaster. Rasulullahﷺ sent Abdullah bin Rawahah as his emissary with his letter. Khosrau was enraged and tore up the prophet's letter saying how a subject of his could be so impertinent as to dare address a letter to the king. He then directed Bazan, his governor of Yemen to arrest the man at once and produce him before the court. Bazan sent a military contingent for the purpose and when it passed through Taif the elders of the place rejoiced that no one could escape Khosrau's wrath. 

When the contingent reached Madinah and its leader stated the object of his visit Rasulullahﷺ asked him to see him the next morning. And when they met the next morning Rasulullahﷺ told them that the king had been killed by his own son and they could verify it. When Bazan found out the truth of Rasulullahﷺ's prophecy and learnt about Rasulullahﷺ's teachings and his conduct he accepted Islam along with his entire court, followed by most of the people of his realm.

When Rasulullahﷺ heard that Khosrau had torn up his letter he replied "he has torn up his empire," and within 10-15 years this vast empire lay at the feet of the Muslim conquerors the cause of its downfall being internal strife.

Among the smaller rulers to whom the message was sent was Farwa bin Amr, governor of the Roman Empire, who accepted Islam and not only spurned his position and honour but also gave his life in the service of Islam. Next was Tamam, ruler of Najd, who embraced Islam in 6 Hijra. The third was Jibila Ghassani, who became a Muslim in 7 Hijra. The fourth was Ukaidir, ruler of Dumatul Jandal, who also accepted Islam. The fifth was Zulekah Humeri who once claimed to be God and made people bow to him. At last, he also became Muslim and as a gesture of thanksgiving freed 18,000 slaves. During the Caliphate Saiyidina Umar Al Khattab, رضي الله عنه abdicated his throne and settled in Medina to spend the rest of his life in seclusion.

Chapter 47 -Rasulullah's Humane & Emphaty.

 Human Feelings

Rasulullahﷺ like any other human being was moved by feelings and shared in the joys as well as in the sorrows of others. Rasulullahﷺ had great affection for his consorts and used to eat and drink with the same utensil as Saidatuna  Aiyshah رضي الله عنه. She invited Ansar girls to play with her and once while showing her the acrobatic feats of the Abyssnians, her chin was resting on Rasulullahﷺ's shoulders, and he repeatedly asked her if she was satisfied but Saidatuna  A'iyshah رضي الله عنه.a continued her interest and this lasted for a long time. For Saidatuna Safiah رضي الله عنه. Rasulullahﷺ bent his knees to let her step over them to mount the camel for conveyance. 

On one occasion the camel stumbled and both Rasulullahﷺ and Saidatuna Safiah رضي الله عنه fell down and when people rushed to help them, Rasulullahﷺ cried that the lady should be attended first. His son, Ibrahim, was put on the second floor of an ironmonger's house during the nursing period and Rasulullahﷺ went there covering a long distance despite suffocating smoke he sat by the child and fondled and kissed him. When his daughter, Fatimah, came to him he stood up to receive her. Her sons, Hasan and Husain, were very much loved by Rasulullahﷺ who used to carry them on his shoulders and played with them. Even at the time of prayers, they were permitted to sit on his shoulders. 

To a person who was surprised at seeing Rasulullahﷺ kissing Hussain, he said, "One who does not feel compassion for others should not expect for himself." When his son, Ibrahim, died his eyes were filled with tears. Again when one of his daughters died before his eyes and the maidservant Umm-e-Aimanرضي الله عنه. began loud lamentation, Rasulullahﷺ stopped her and on her retort that  Rasulullahﷺ himself was weeping, he said that such weeping comes from a feeling which is a Divine blessing. 

At the grave of his daughter, Umm-e-Kulsoomرضي الله عنه also, Rasulullahﷺ was in tears. Before the dead body of his foster brother, Usman bin Mazoonرضي الله عنه, Rasulullahﷺ was in tears and kissed the forehead of the corpse. Rasulullahﷺ himself explained his weeping in the following words: "The eyes are full of tears and the heart is sad but we can say nothing except that whatever is the Will of God must prevail." Often in grief, he uttered the following verse:

اَلَّذِيْنَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ اِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوْا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ اِيْمَانًاۖ وَّقَالُوْا حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيْلُ

(That is) the people (who obey God and the Messenger) who when some people said to him, "The people (Quraysh) have gathered an army to attack you, so be afraid of them," it turns out that (speech) added ( strong) their faith and they replied, "Allah is sufficient (to be a helper) for us and He is the best protector."

 (AlI Imran:173)

He never raised his voice in weeping but sighed like a boiling kettle. His sensitive heart was also moved while praying to God and pearls shone in his eyes. On one occasion he asked Abdullah ibn Masud to recite the Qur'an and when he came to the verse:

فَكَيْفَ اِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍۢ بِشَهِيْدٍ وَّجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلٰى هٰٓؤُلَاۤءِ شَهِيْدًاۗ

"And what will happen (to the disbelievers later), if We bring a witness (Messenger) from every nation and We bring you (Muhammad) as a witness over them."

(An Nisaa: 41) 

a flood of tears rolled down his eyes. It is a matter of great surprise how Rasulullahﷺ with a such delicately sensitive heart could demonstrate such patience and fortitude in times of distress and difficulties!

As mentioned above the Prophet had a cheerful disposition and used to say "Your meeting a friend with a smiling face is also a virtuous act." Rasulullahﷺ said that a smiling and cheerful disposition of a person who intended to accomplish stupendous tasks helped to win the hearts of the people. Rasulullahﷺ has been described as:

Rasulullahﷺ met people with such cordial cheerfulness that his affection became rooted in the hearts of his companions.

Rasulullahﷺ interesting and cheerful talks enlivened those around him, although he never lost balance and modesty. The portion of jest was mild like salt in the bread and there, too, never anything against truth could be found nor anyone's feelings were hurt, nor did he indulge in boisterous laughter. Rasulullahﷺ laughter was a smile like the opening of flower buds in which only teeth were visible and never the gullet. -

Saiyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه once asked in surprise, "Do you joke with us also?"Rasulullahﷺ replied, "Yes, but I never say anything contrary to the truth." Some examples of Rasulullahﷺ's sense of humor will not be out of place here.

Once a man asked Rasulullahﷺ to give him a conveyance and Rasulullahﷺ said "I will give you a camel calf ." The man said, "What shall I do with a calf?" And Rasulullahﷺ said, "Every camel is born of a she-camel as a calf."

An old woman came to him and requested that he may pray for her to be given a place in Paradise. Rasulullahﷺ humorously said, "No old woman can enter Paradise." When the woman was leaving in tears, Rasulullahﷺ asked those present to recall her and inform her that God does not send to Paradise anyone in a state of senility but has promised:

"We have created (their companions) of special creation and made them virgins pure (and undefiled)." -

عُرُبًا اَتْرَابًاۙفَجَعَلْنٰهُنَّ اَبْكَارًاۙاِنَّآ اَنْشَأْنٰهُنَّ اِنْشَاۤءًۙ

"We created them (the angels) directly, then We made them virgins, full of love (and) of the same age,"

(Al Waqiyah: 35-37)

It means that those entering Paradise will be given the bloom of youth.

A Beduin friend of Rasulullahﷺ who was on friendly terms with him was usually sent by him to market on business. Once when the Beduin was selling something in the market Rasulullahﷺ went quietly to him and put his hands over his eyes and asked him to recognize who he was. At first, the Beduin was flabbergasted, and when he recognized he began to rub his shoulders against Rasulullahﷺ's chest. Rasulullahﷺ then called out, "Who is going to purchase this slave?" The Beduin said in humility, "Whosoever purchases this worthless slave be at a loss." Rasulullahﷺ then remarked, "You are not worthless in the sight of God."

Once Rasulullahﷺ was eating dates with his companions and playfully he threw the seeds in front of Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه  and when they became a heap the Prophet said to Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه, "You have taken a lot of dates." Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه   replied, "I have not eaten them seeds and all."

Once in the thickness of the Battle of the Ditch, Rasulullahﷺ found an occasion to laugh. It so happened that Sa'ad, the father of Amir, was aiming his arrows against an enemy who was promptly warding them off with his shield. Sa'ad then put the arrow in the bow and waited till the enemy put his face out of the shield and then threw the arrow with such precision that it struck the enemy's forehead and he swirled and fell in a way that his legs were lifted above, creating a ludicrous situation.

The figure of religious and godly men as generally conceived is identified with a wry face and morose disposition, and it is difficult to understand how Rasulullahﷺ with his devotion to prayers, his God-fearing nature, his stupendous responsibilities, and overhanging worries could find time for such relaxation in the scheme of life.

But in this scheme, faith and godliness do not mean abstention from relaxation. In reply to a question, Ibn Umar said that the companions of Rasulullahﷺ used to laugh although faith was firmly rooted in their hearts like a rock. They used to compete in archery exercises and heartily laughed together. There was a general assembly after the morning prayer at which pre-Islamic stories were also told and Rasulullahﷺ laugh along with his companions. With the children and with his household he was always full of cheer.

Chapter 46-Rasulullah's SAW - Setting of Public Treasury

 Public Treasury

Rasulullahﷺ had established a Baitul mal (public treasury) in which income from the state resources and charities from those who could afford were collected. Whenever a demand was made for monetary sacrifice Ansar and migrants, who were in a sound position to give, contributed generously regardless of their own needs. Rasulullahﷺ's order was that the needy should be generously helped. But all the collections of Baitul mal were insufficient to meet the actual needs and to eliminate starvation. Saiyidina Bilal رضي الله عنه was in charge of Baitul Mal and in compliance with Rasulullahﷺ's orders he did not allow any cash or the provisions to remain locked up. 

Once a massive amount of dirham came and was piled up on a mat and distributed on the sport without leaving a single coin. After everything had been distributed a needy person came and Rasulullahﷺ ordered that he should be helped by taking a loan. Once Rasulullahﷺ say a heap of dates lying with Saiyidina Bilal رضي الله عنه who on the inquiry said that he had retained it for an emergency. Rasulullahﷺ snubbed him and said, "Are you not afraid that for retaining this, you will taste the smoke of the hell on the Day of Judgement? Spend it and do not fear shortage from All-Powerful."

While the Muslims were suffering financial difficulties, the Jews had planned to exploit the situation. Once a non-Muslim came to Saiyidina Bilal رضي الله عنه and offered to advance him money whenever he needed and so Saiyidina Bilal رضي الله عنه began to take loans from him to replenish the meager resources of Baitul Mal. One day the same man came to Saiyidina Bilal رضي الله عنه, who after making ablutions was going to give the call for prayer, and shouted at him abusing and threatened him that if he did not clear the loan by the end of the month, he would be again taken a slave. 

Saiyidina Bilal رضي الله عنه was very much upset with this threat and came to Rasulullahﷺ to narrate the story and proposed that he should hide somewhere till arrangements could be made for repayment. But before he could go into hiding he was called by Rasulullahﷺ next morning, where he saw that four camels loads of wealth had come from the chief of Fadak. So the loan was cleared and the remainder was distributed among the needy.

Abu Hadrat Aslami رضي الله عنه was indebted to Jews and had no means to pay. But the Jews did not give him any respite, took him to Rasulullahﷺ and insisted that the debt must be cleared then and there. Since he was unable to pay, the Jews snatched away his lower garment and the poor man had to cover his nakedness with his turban.

Saiyidina Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه though well-to-do had to take loans from a Jewish money-lender whenever in need. Once the production of the dates was poor and the loan could not be paid in time Saiyidina Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه secured time until the following crop. But the crop was again poor and the Jew refused to give him further time. Jabir came to Rasulullahﷺ who went to the Jew and appealed to him, but when he was adamant in spite of repeated appeals, Rasulullahﷺ went to the grove of Saiyidina Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه and ordered that the trees should be shaken. There was so much fruit-enough and to spare-with which not only Jew's debt was cleared but more dates were left over.

A mail cloak of Rasulullahﷺ was pawned with a Jewish money-lender and he never had enough money to redeem it.

Once a man who had lent some money to Rasulullahﷺ came to him and demanded his dues with very harsh words. When Rasulullahﷺ's companions intervened, the creditor said he was demanding only his dues, whereupon Rasulullahﷺ told his companions that they should support the man in his demand, and ordered that his account be cleared and something more than his dues was given to him. 

Zaid ibn Sa'na was a rabbi who was sincerely observing Rasulullahﷺ's claim to prophethood and closely witnessed the wants. One day in the presence of Zaid ibn Sa'na, a Beduin came to Rasulullahﷺ and told him that his clan had accepted Islam and he had promised to them that if they accepted Islam God would make them rich. Instead of that, they were faced with severe famine and if they were not helped they might go back to their old religion. Zaid ibn Sa'na offered to pay 80 measures (about 360 gms.) of gold to be repaid with the production of dates in the next season. On the expiry of the time, Zaid came to Rasulullahﷺ and demanded repayment in a rude manner and harsh words saying, "O Muhammad, you are not paying my dues. 

By God, I knew well that all children of Abdul Muttalib are defaulters." Saiyidina Umar Al Khattab رضي الله عنه snubbed Zaid and said, "To whom are you talking? If I did not have regard for Rasulullahﷺ I would have cut off your head with a stroke of my sword." Rasulullahﷺ pacified Saiyidina Umar Al Khattab رضي الله عنه and said that on such an occasion he should have advised him (Rasulullahﷺ) to make payment gracefully and told the money-lender to make his demand more politely. "Now go and repay his dues and for your snubbing him, pay him 20 measures of dates more than his dues."

This was the last test of Zaid ibn Sa'na and the conduct of Rasulullahﷺ won him over. He then introduced himself to Saiyidina Umar Al Khattab رضي الله عنه and making him a witness accepted Islam and gave away half of his wealth and property for the welfare of the Muslims. Zaid was different from other Jewish money-lenders, but the episode shows the difficult times the Muslims had to face. They were forced to borrow and endure the harsh treatment of the cruel creditors.

Not satisfied with their Shylock-like treatment of the indebted Muslims, the Jews, and other wealthy non-Muslims decided to strangle the movement of Islam by closing the door of loans or charities on the poor Muslims in the hope that on becoming bankrupt the movement would wither away. The elders of the Jewish community even went to the Ansar and advised them not to waste their wealth on Muslims as it would reduce them to poverty, warning them of what might happen in the future. The fifth column of the Jews and their agents were holding secret consultations to stop all financial aid to the Muslims. The Qur'an says this is what they said:

"Spend nothing on those who are with God's Apostle that they may disperse (and quit Madinah)" -(LXIII:7) The poor Muslims were in the most desperate situation-either no economic aid was made available to them or when available, they were subjected to severe Shylock tactics. But what is to be noted in this connection is the outstanding character of Rasulullahﷺ and his followers in the face of such meanness of their opponents.

Chapter 45- Rasulullah's - Recreation an other traits

Recreation within bounds is an essential element of well-balanced life in order to remove its monotony and scheme of life which has no place for diversion and cannot be tolerated for long by any society.  Rasulullahﷺ also occasionally liked to enjoy some permissible diversion.  Rasulullahﷺ liked to go to the gardens sometimes alone and sometimes in company and discussions on various topics were often held there. 

Sometimes swimming exercises were also held in which pairs of two competed with one another. Saiyidina Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was once the partner of  Rasulullahﷺ in this. When it rained after a long break  Rasulullahﷺ bathed in the shower wearing a long cloth.  Rasulullahﷺ took a keen interest in all running and archery exercises and wrestling bouts and heartily laughed there along with others. On joyous occasions, he liked playing of drum open from one side and singing by young girls. 

Once on the day of Eid two girls were singing near Saidatuna Aiysah رضي الله عنه when Saiyidina Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه came and snubbed them;  Rasulullahﷺ intervened and allowed them to continue. On occasions of marriage also allowed the beating of such drums. At the wedding of an Ansar girl who lived with Saidatuna Ayesha رضي الله, Rasulullahﷺ  said that the Ansar were fond of music and so a singing girl should be sent with the bride who should sing:

We have come to you. We have come to you. So you live long and we live longer.

On one such occasion, some girls were singing when Amir bin Sa'ad رضي الله عنه came and snubbed them upon which those present said, "If you want to listen, sit down, otherwise go away. We have Rasulullahﷺ's permission for it." Rasulullahﷺ had also a taste for poetry that somewhat differed from the prevailing style. 

The stream of revelation did not give him time to indulge in poetry but his taste in it was polished and he appreciated a good couplet. In fact, he gave a new trend to poetry. Jabir bin Samrah رضي الله عنه says that he attended more than a hundred meetings of Rasulullahﷺ at which tales of pre-Islamic days were told and the companions recited poems. Once Rasulullahﷺ greatly appreciated a line of poet Labid which said:

Beware, everything besides God is mortal. Its other line was:

"And all pleasures are bound to fade".

Once Rasulullahﷺ heard one hundred verses of Umayya bin Abi Salt رضي الله عنه, recited by  Sharid رضي الله عنه and said at the end that this man had reached very near Islam. Sometimes, especially on the battlefield, Rasulullahﷺ unintentionally talked poetically. Rasulullahﷺ asked  Hassan and Ka'ab bin Malik رضي الله عنه to compose verses in reply to abusive verses of the enemies of Islam and often asked Hassan to recite verses from the pulpit and remarked that these verses were more effective against the enemies than daggers. Rasulullahﷺ also once said, "A Muslim performs Jihad with the swords as well as with his words."

Some Special Traits

Rasulullahﷺ used his right hand in taking or giving anything. In dictating letters he asked the writer to begin with the name of Allah and then put the names of the sender and the addressee. The text then followed and the seal was affixed at the end. Rasulullahﷺ was free from all superstitions and never consulted omens. Nevertheless, he appreciated good names and disliked bad ones. 

While camping on the way during a journey he selected places whose names indicated happiness or blessing or success. Similarly, he did not entrust any work to a person whose name was smacked of quarrel or loss. Rasulullahﷺ gave work to such men whose names meant joy or success. He also changed some names for better ones. In the use of conveyance, he preferred the horse and used to say that in the hair of the horse's neck, there was blessing till the Day of Judgement. Rasulullahﷺ cleaned the eyes, nose, and mouth of the horse with his own hands. 

Rasulullahﷺ did not like noise and turmoil and preferred calm, dignity, and order in everything. Even for going to prayers, he prohibited running and undue haste. He used to say "Calmness and dignity are for you." Once at the time of Hajj, there was much noise and confusion and Rasulullahﷺ restored order by raising his whip and said, "Undue hurry is no virtue."

A description of Rasulullahﷺ's good manners needs a separate volume as his whole life was a portrayal of elegance in manners. Saidatina Aiysah رضي الله عنه, said, "His etiquette is the Qur'an." What Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه said about him was most comprehensive. He said, "He was the best of men, most generous of men, and the bravest of men." Never in his life did he hurt anyone except under the Divine law and never took revenge for any injury from others. He forgave everyone to the extent that he even forgave his most cruel persecutors of Makkah and Taif. 

Rasulullahﷺ never refused anyone's request for help and even borrowed to help others if he could not arrange it himself or asked the person to come some other time or kept silent. The proof of his courage is that he stood up single-handedly to proclaim the truth and bravely faced all troubles and tribulations, never giving way to fear even in the most dangerous situations nor did he ever show any weakness. In the most critical times of his stay at the cave of Thaur and in the Battles of Uhud and Hunain, his faith remained unflinching and his steadfastness unparalleled.

 

Chapter 44- Family Life of Rasulullah's

Life At Home

Rasulullahﷺ's public and private life was governed by one common principle. Replying to a question Saidatuna Aisyah رضياللهعنه is reported to have said, "He was just like other men. He himself took care of his clothes, milked his goats, stitched his tore apparel and mended his shoes and leather buckets. He carried loads and gave fodder to animals. If there was a servant he also worked with him and shared his labour. He himself brought provisions from the market and carried them in a sheet of cloth." 

Saidatuna Aisyah رضياللهعنه also said, "Rasulullahﷺ was the most lenient man at home, smiling and cordial. In fact, there was no one more affectionate to his people than the Prophet Rasulullahﷺ." According to Saiyidina Ali رضياللهعنه, Rasulullahﷺ was occupied at home with three kinds of activities: he spent some time in prayers and some time on his dependents and some time in rest. At the same time he spent some time for general meetings at the mosque and for friends and guests, and to receive people who came to him for their personal needs. 

In fact, Rasulullahﷺ found very little time for rest. He had to arrange provisions for his consorts and for their training and the work of reforming women was also carried on through them. Many women came to him with their problems which they conveyed to him through his consorts. But despite that, his domestic life was never artificial or onerous. It was a man's home in which there were natural feelings. There were smiles and also tears, affections were at work and at times strains of jealousy. There were worries and also enjoyments and whenever Rasulullahﷺ arrived at once the home was bright and glowing. 

There was the conversation on general topics and sometimes there were story-telling and interesting titbits. It is related, for instance, that once Saidatuna Aisyah رضياللهعنه cooked a preparation of minced meat and wheat flour when Saidatuna Sauda رضياللهعنه was present and Rasulullahﷺ was sitting between them. An atmosphere of informality prevailed in which Saidatuna Aisyah رضياللهعنه asked Saidatuna Sauda رضياللهعنه to take some of her preparation and not agree to take it. 

On Saidatuna Sauda رضياللهعنه's again refusing it, Saidatuna Aisyah رضياللهعنه actually pasted it on her face whereupon Rasulullahﷺ had a hearty laugh and told Saidatuna Sauda رضياللهعنه to do the same with Saidatuna Sauda رضياللهعنه to make her stop and when Saidatuna Sauda رضياللهعنه did it Rasulullahﷺ laughed again. Once Saiyidina Abu Bakr رضياللهعنه came and found Hazrath Ayesha talking to Rasulullahﷺ impertinently, lost his temper and wanted to beat her when Rasulullahﷺ intervened and pacified him and said that it did not matter. When Hazrath Abu Bakr left, Rasulullahﷺ said to Saidatuna Aiyshah رضياللهعنه, "Did you see how I saved you from the old man?"

Throughout his life, Rasulullahﷺ woke up in the latter half of the night, cleansed his teeth, did ablution and offered Tahajjud prayers and recited the Qur'an very peacefully. Sometimes he stood in the prayers for such a long time that his feet became swollen and when his companions said where was the need of his putting himself to so much trouble when God had promised him forgiveness of all his lapses of the past and future, Rasulullahﷺ  replied, "Shall I not become a grateful servant of God?"

Rasulullahﷺ's idea about the house and its furnishing was that man should pass his life as a traveller who takes a little rest under a shade and then continues his journey. It meant that those who make the next life their goal should live in this world just to do their duties and to live on probation. And how could those who have to struggle here for a high ideal think of building mansions and equipping them with costly furniture and enjoying life in blissful comfort? 

So neither Rasulullahﷺ nor his companions built large houses or furnished them. Their houses were just like rest houses where there was provision for protection from heat and cold and preventive measures against wild animals and for privacy in regard to hygienic necessities. Rasulullahﷺ had built small rooms by the mosque for his consorts in which the only decoration was cleanliness. Rasulullahﷺ was so keen on cleanliness that he always exhorted his companions to keep their courtyards quite clean. Very few utensils were kept in Rasulullahﷺt's house. There was a wooden bowl covered with iron which was mostly used for eating.

There could be no question of stocking provisions as daily necessities were often hardly available. His bedding was of leather filled with straw. His cot was strung with jute ropes which he often used without the bedding and the marks of the rope were found on his body over which Saiyidina  Umarl Khattab once shed tears and said that while emperors of Rome and Iran lived in all luxury Rasulullahﷺ was in that condition.

Rasulullahﷺt asked him if he was not pleased to find that while those people gained this world, Rasulullahﷺ gained the next. Gunny bag sheets were also used as bedding and once when they were four-folded and Rasulullahﷺ got such a sound sleep that he could not wake up for his? Tahajjud prayer, he resented it and strictly prohibited making for him such 'comfortable' bedding.

Rasulullahﷺ taste in food and drink was very refined. He liked meat in particular and preferred shank, neck and lion of animals and also bones of ribs. A special Arab dish prepared with soup and bread was also relished by him. Honey, vinegar, melon, cucumber, gourd, butter and rice cooked with pulses were particularly liked by him. He also liked dates mixed with milk or with butter. He also ate cucumber with salt and melon with sugar. He also put dates into the water and drank from it till the evening and then threw it away as keeping them longer would ferment them. 

While drinking Rasulullahﷺ never made a noise and raised the cup from his lips three times, each time thanking God. He liked people sitting together to eat. The use of tables and chair was contrary to the ascetic life. Also, he did not like the food served in small dishes. Silver and gold utensils were prohibited and generally glass, earthen, zinc and wooden vessels were used. Before sitting on the dinner mat, he removed his shoes and washed his hands. He used only his right hand while eating and always took from his side of the vessels, never dipping his fingers in the middle. 

Rasulullahﷺ did not like to lean while eating. Generally he sat cross-legged or on folded legs with the feet put behind like in prayers. If he disliked anything he quietly left it and did not criticize. He avoided very hot food. Sometimes he cut the meat with eating he used only three fingers and did not soil them. Sometimes he also ate fruit while standing and sometimes took two fruits together like melon and dates. Sweet dish was his favourite. He also used fried barley powdered and mixed it with water. Once when the almond powder was substituted he rejected it saying that it was a rich man's food. When the soup was prepared he asked to increase its quantity so that the neighbours could also have it. 

At every morsel, Rasulullahﷺ used to thank God. He was very particular about washing his hands after eating. If there was a guest he urged him, again and again, to eat freely and well. He never refused invitations and if someone else went with him he always asked the permission of the host to include him. In offering thanks to God after dinner he also blessed the host. He got up only when others of the company had risen. If others had finished before him he rose along with the rest. He disliked blowing over hot food or drink or smelling them. Since he disliked bad breath he never used onions or garlic. 

If any food was sent to him, he insisted on those present to partake of it and set apart the share of the friends who were absent. Ever since the attempt made to poison him, he always enquired about the name of the food brought from elsewhere and insisted on the person who brought it to take at least a morsel from it. In spite of this refinement of taste, Rasulullahﷺ had often to go without food and used to say, "I eat and drink as a servant of God should do."