The Prophet’s Remarkable Simplicity and Modesty

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was characterized by impeccable qualities of simplicity and modesty from which we can learn a lot and improve our lifestyle to a considerable extent if were to follow his Sunnah.

All of us as individuals think of ourselves as being superior to the other. This ultimately gives rise to ego and hence promotes feelings of negativity towards one another.

The Prophet (peace be upon him), despite having a huge followers, was humble to the core.

Prophet Muhammad did not like to be treated like a person of great power or following similar to kings or rulers. He forbade people from kneeling down to him in respect. And he lived in a simple house and ate simple food.

Despite being a Prophet Peace Be Upon Him and a person of significant following, he never used his influence to live a life of ease. He lived a life not of affluence but of humility and modesty.

As narrated by Abu Hurairah:

Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ (Al-Bukhari, 1403)

Once Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was traveling with his companions and when it was time to have the food prepared, he asked them to slaughter a sheep.

A man said: I will slaughter it, another one said: I will skin it out. A third said: I will cook it. So the Messenger of Allah said: I will collect wood for fire. They said: “No. We will suffice you that work.” I know that you can do it for me, but I hate to be privileged. Allah hates to see a slave of his privileged to others. So he went and collected fire-wood.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was an exemplary husband and father. Despite having multiple wives he gave all of them their due rights, treating them equally.

Moreover, he helped out with the chores in his house. He repaired his shoes and clothes himself. In addition to being a good husband and father he was also a good man. He treated all women with respect.

Abu Sa‘îd Al-Khudri said:

He was shier than a virgin in her boudoir. When he hates a thing we read it on his face. He does not stare at anybody’s face, he always casts his eyes down. He looks at the ground more than he looks sky-wards. His utmost looks at people are glances. (Al-Bukhari 1/504)

Kindness to the Poor

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was always good to the poor and needy. He never treated servants/slaves badly. He treated them as equals. So much so when he was gifted a slave, Zayd ibn Harithah, by his newly wed bride Khadija, he became so attached to him that he treated him like an adoptive son. Zayd later on became one of Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) closest companions.

As narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

The one who looks after and works for a widow and for a poor person, is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s Cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all the night. (Al-Bukhari, 6006)

Following his footsteps, we should also be wary of our deeds and should strive to be a good Muslim so as to be a good example for everyone around us.