LINGERING DOUBTS

standards for clothing, housing, and food simply to be admired for their poverty. They all led naturally simple and balanced lives, guided by the principle of avoiding what is forbidden by Shariah, keeping life within permissible limits, earning lawful sustenance, and remaining firm on the path of God—whether that involved enduring hardship or being blessed with God’s bounty. Deliberately wearing poor clothing when good clothing is available through lawful means, or eating inferior food when quality food is accessible through lawful ways, was not their approach. Among them, those who could earn lawful wealth while striving in the path of God would eat well, dress well, and live in wellbuilt houses. The Prophet œ never approved of wealthy individuals pretending to be poor; in fact, he told them that Allah loves to see the signs of His blessings on His servants through their clothing, food, and transportation.” Consider this: in order to play one’s full part in the “lesser jihad,” the need for a certain principle was felt with great intensity—yet that very need was forgotten when it came to the “greater jihad.”10 (the inner struggle). 10. After returning to Madinah from a battle, the Prophet told his companions, “We have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater