AFFIRMATION OF PROPHETHOOD

Affirmation of Prophethood ~ 277 ~ of his companions, asked the Prophet’s wives how they survived with food in such short supply, they answered that their diet consisted of dates and water. At times the Ansars (Madinan neo-converts) would send them some milk. It seldom happened that the Prophet’s family had enough wheat in store to last out three days in succession. When the Prophet finally left this world, the material conditions of his life were in no way better. In spite of having access to all power, he passed his life in this state and left nothing behind him for his family. Neither did he leave a will. All he left behind him was the simple dictum: “We prophets have no heirs, whatever we leave behind is to be given in alms,” These were the words of the founder of the world’s greatest empire, knowing fully well that it was soon to annex Asia and Africa and cross the borders of Europe. These glimpses of his words and character, of his sincerity and self-sacrifice are not trifling exceptions. His whole life was lived out in this way. It will hardly be surprising then if we accept such an extraordinary man to have been a messenger of