Principle of Leading a Simple Life

part 1

Simple Life of the Honorable Prophet (PBUH)

Leading a simple life is too significant throughout his prophet-hood mission as his simplicity, forwardness in behavior,   way   of   socializing,   and   his   circles   and associations and various perspectives of his life can be considered a source of attraction for all. The holy prophet extremely disliked materialistic types of pomp and shows. He used to fill the hearts of friends with his friendship. Although he used to consume less yet he was very hard working. His simplicity had provided a seedbed in getting rid  of  the  bounds  of  excessive  welfare  and  palace dwellings, so he could take essential and significant steps toward  the  guidance  and  salvation  of  the  mankind. Biographical writers have recorded their comments in this regard as following:

"The holy prophet was a less consumer and his consumptions were too little.”‌

Although the holy prophet used to consume a little, yet he was a very hardworking and his life was full of blessings. There exists close linkages between his less consumption and hard working, and it is expected from a believer to hold the same status. It has also been demanded in following tradition:

“The assistance offered by a believer is a blessing and he is of less consumption”‌The man seeking for an excessive welfare and place-dwelling is unable to lead a fruitful and blessed life. The tendencies of palace-dwelling and trends of pomp and shows keep the man busy within his self-desires and ultimately  prevent  him  from  reaching  to  the  real perfections. Imam Khomeini (R.A), the real revivalist and devotee to the character of the holy prophet says in this regard as follows:

“Perhaps many assume that material comforts and having bank deposits, property or owning land or parks and their likes brings happiness to a person; this is a mistake that a person makes. A person is under the impression that his prosperity lies in owning so many orchards; owning so many villages; having money deposited in banks; being so and so in trade; perhaps this is what a person imagines. However, when we take notice and measure happiness, we see that those persons were happy that were dwelling in slums. Those that are in palaces are not happy. The scale of blessings that circulates around the world from the slums is not found at all in the palaces. We had a four to five person slum at the dawn of Islam and that slum dweller was Fatimah Zahra (S.A). There are far more humble slums than this one, but what are their blessings? The blessings of this few occupancy slums are such that it has filled the whole universe with radiance and the road is long for a person to attain those blessings. These slum dwellers in their humble slums are at such a lofty level in the field of spirituality that the hands of heavenly beings also cannot reach them. In the field of training, it has been to such an extent that whatever blessings exist in the Muslim lands and especially in lands such as ours is by their blessing. The honorable Prophet himself””may God's peace be upon him and his household”” who is at the head of all had a slum-dwelling existence. Do not think that they had a single room like those of the middle-class families of this society. It had a few chambers; humble chambers. In addition, the light of this high-ranking person illuminated the earth and the heavens from this humble chamber and the range of his message extended throughout the world. Although what he wanted has not been opened and humankind cannot reach up to him except God willing, his pious successor.”‌

Source:

Behavior and Character of the Holy Prophet of Islam from Imam Khomeini's Viewpoint  

Written By: Mostafa Dilshad Tehrani 

Translator: Ali Shahbaz

Other Links:

Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Mercy unto the Creation

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), A Paragon of Virtue in All Fields