Giving everything but wanting no worldly return
Al-Risala (English), January 1988, p. 13
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Giving everything but wanting no worldly return
1988 1 January 13 Giving everything but wanting no worldly return (245) When the Muslims of Mecca emigrated to Medina, the Prophet told the Ansar of Medina that these Muhajirs were their brothers and sisters; they had left their own properties and families and come to live with them in Medina. “We will give them half of our date groves,” the Ansar replied, “and leave half for ourselves. “There is something else you can gave them, ‘‘the Prophet said. “What is that, Prophet of God?” The Ansar asked. “The people of Mecca know nothing of farming and horticulture. “the Prophet told them.” You do the work on their behalf and then divide the produce.” The Ansar said that they had understood what the Prophet said and would obey him. Jabir says that when the Ansar used to weigh their date crop, they would divide the dates into two portions, one larger and the other smaller. They would put the branches in with portions, one larger and the other smaller. They would give the larger portion to the Muhajirs, and keep the smaller one themselves. This system continued until the Conquest of Khyber. When Bahrain was conquered, the prophet wanted to give the land to the Ansar, but they declined the offer saying that the Muhajirs should receive an equal amount first. “That is not possible, “the Prophet told them. “In that case you will have to be patient until you meet in the next world, for after I have gone others will be given priority over you.”
Humility at all times
1988 1 January 13 Humility at all times (81) Abdullah Ibn Masood told how, during the Badr campaign, there was one camel to every three men. People used to ride in turns. It was the same with the Prophet: he was sharing a camel with Abu Lababa and Ali. They both asked the Prophet to ride on the camel: they would walk in his place. “You are no stronger than me,” the Prophet told them. “Nor do I have any less need of reward from God than you.
(Al-Badaya wa’n-Nahaya)
