Part of From the aesthetics of the biography (the series is completed)
· Lesson 44 of 50
One of the beauties of the Prophet’s biography | Episode (44) | Amazing asceticism
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Transcript
Machine translation — may contain errors
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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.