Simple Life of the Honorable Prophet (saw)

The holy Prophet (saw) used to lead a very simple life. He never took advantage of his position or status in promoting his material life or leaving huge inheritance behind him. He left the legacy of knowledge which has priority over all other matters, especially the knowledge granted by Allah, the Almighty.

Leading a simple life is too significant throughout his Prophet-hood mission as his simplicity, forwardness in behavior, way of socializing, and his circles and associations and various perspectives of his life can be considered a source of attraction for all.

The Holy Prophet (saw) extremely disliked materialistic types of pomp and shows. He used to fill the hearts of friends with his friendship. Although he used to consume less yet he was very hard working. His simplicity had provided a seedbed in getting rid of the bounds of excessive welfare and palace dwellings, so he could take essential and significant steps toward the guidance and salvation of the mankind. Biographical writers have recorded their comments in this regard as following:

"The Holy Prophet was a less consumer and his consumptions were too little."

Although the Holy Prophet used to consume little, yet he was very hardworking and his life was full of blessings. There exists close linkages between his less consumption and hard working, and it is expected from a believer to hold the same status. It has also been demanded in following tradition:

"The assistance offered by a believer is a blessing and he is of less consumption."

The man seeking for an excessive welfare and place-dwelling is unable to lead a fruitful and blessed life. The tendencies of palace-dwelling and trends of pomp and shows keeps the man busy within his self-desires and ultimately prevents him from reaching to the real perfections.

Imam Khomeini (ra), said in this regard as follows: "Perhaps many assume that material comforts and having bank deposits, property or owning land or parks and their likes brings happiness to a person; this is a mistake that a person makes. A person is under the impression that his prosperity lies in owning so many orchards; owning so many villages; having money deposited in banks; being so and so in trade; perhaps this is what a person imagines. However, it is not true."

The truth is that these worldly possessions do not guarantee happiness.

The Holy Prophet (saw) is a perfect exemplar of leading a simple life. Imam Ali (as) said in description of his character as following:

"The Prophet of mercy and justice used to lead a very simple life in all of its aspects."

Although it is natural that ways of living are a subject to change and passes through an evolution by the passage of time, yet the boundaries of leading a simple life remain constant. The values such as preventing from extravagances, squandering, wastage and excessiveness, and living a life of chastity, contentment, sufficiency and hardworking are required for all the ages.

The Holy Prophet (saw) was an excellent and perfect exemplar to lead such a simple life. He undermined all of the formal protocols. His seating was arranged in such a manner that the distinctions had not been observed between him and his companions. He used to simply take a seat among the circle of his companions and none of the

priorities were observed.

It has been narrated by Anas Bin Malik, "We were supposed to sit in a circle if we had come to see the Prophet (saw). He used to sit among a circle of his companions as if it had not any priority over others. It was not easy for a stranger to distinguish between the Prophet (saw) and others."

It has been reported by Abu dhar, "The Prophet of Allah used to sit among the circle of his companions with no distinctly. If a stranger entered their circle he was not able to recognize the Prophet (saw) unless he asked others. When the Prophet (saw) used to go to the mosque, which is where governmental administrative affairs were conducted. He used to sit and talk with the people there, anyone who did not know the Prophet and entered the building would not be able to distinguish who was the ruler and who were the ruled, who was the Prophet and who was not."

All life of the Holy Prophet including his Meccan period, earlier than becoming a ruler, Medina's Era and after becoming the Islamic ruler passed in this way. He did not store any of worldly material assets, or palace dwellings for him. Imam Ali, the leader of faithful in this regard said,

"Allah made Muhammad (saw) a sign for the Day of Judgment, a conveyor of tidings for Paradise and a Warner of retribution. He left this world hungry but entered upon the next world safe. He did not lay one stone upon another (to make a house) until he departed and responded to the call of Allah. How great is Allah's blessing in that He blessed us with the Prophet as a predecessor whom we follow and a leader behind whom we tread."