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Among the aesthetic beauties of the Prophetic biography (Seerah).

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Is the remarkable nature of asceticism.

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Asceticism is not merely a claim made by the tongue.

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Or sermons that are repeated.

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Or loud, empty wishes.

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Certainly not.

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Rather, it is a reality that a person bears.

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Living it out without concern for worldly status.

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The reason for this is.

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That he looks toward what is with Allah and the abode of the Hereafter.

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And he fears the world and its temptations.

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He says this while the world comes to him from every direction.

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Yet he spends it in the path of Allah.

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He is not devoid of worldly means such that his asceticism or humility would be forced.

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Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said in the long hadith regarding the vow of abstention (Ila').

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I saw the marks of the reed mat on the side of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

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So I wept.

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He asked, "What makes you weep?"

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I said, "O Messenger of Allah,

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Chosroes and Caesar are enjoying what they have,

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While you are the Messenger of Allah."

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He replied,

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"Are you not pleased that they have the world, and we have the Hereafter?"

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Indeed,

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For the world, with its inflated wealth,

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And its frivolous temptations,

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Is not the ultimate goal for the people of faith.

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Because of the distraction and trial it contains.

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Rather, their world is what draws them closer to Allah.

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They enjoy it without extravagance or arrogance.

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This is why the Prophets and the wise understood it.

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They did not cling to it.

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Nor were they preoccupied with its fleeting blossoms.

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In order to preserve their religion and their mission.

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In another hadith recorded by al-Tirmidhi,

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He kept his worldly life brief and minimized his stay in it.

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His goal in it was the guidance of people,

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Not eternal pleasure,

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Or transient vanity.

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The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, slept,

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On a reed mat.

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He rose, and it had left a mark on his side.

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We said, "O Messenger of Allah,

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If only we could provide you with a soft bedding."

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He replied,

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"What have I to do with this world?

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I am in this world only as a traveler,

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Who seeks shade under a tree,

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Then departs and leaves it behind."

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This is a magnificent image of the humble great one,

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And the ascetic leader,

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To whom a luxurious bed is equal,

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To a rough reed mat.

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His cause remains far loftier than all of that.

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For he came as a great Messenger,

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Bearing sublime values,

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That do not harmonize with trivial worldly preoccupation.

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The benefit of this for the soul, one's deeds, and the call to Allah,

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Is humility and reflection upon what is with Allah.

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Preparation for the Hereafter,

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Compassion for the weak,

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And knowing the true worth of the soul.

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Refining one's conduct.

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For whoever opens his eyes to the world,

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Will become arrogant,

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And deluded.

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And peace.