A Simple Life

There are many books written about the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) and his blessed wives. The authors of these books have organised the chronology of events according to their own understanding. After studying these books, we have put together a summary for you, which will give you a good idea of the actual events. There may be a few differences in the chronology. For example, some have written that the marriage of Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) and the Holy Prophet (sas) took place before the arrival of her father in Madinah, and others have written that her father married her to the Holy Prophet (sas) after he arrived in Madinah. Although there is some uncertainty about the exact sequence of events, the fact is that she was a free woman at the time of her marriage and entered into this blessed bond willingly. Now we will look at what married life was like for the Holy Prophet (sas) and Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra).

Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) was the daughter of her tribe’s chief. The rich Arabs lived a life of luxury and privilege. However, life in the household of the Holy Prophet (sas) was simple to an extreme degree. The way of life, the clothing, the food, and everything else was very humble. The homes of the wives were made of mud bricks, twigs and leaves of date trees. The entrances usually had curtains hanging from them and there were no doors. The ceiling was so low that you could touch it if you raised your hand. There were no lamps. The house of Hazrat ‘A’ishah (ra) had an upper level as well. Small courtyards were attached to these homes. These homes were large enough that guests could stay there and their needs could be satisfied. Some of these homes also housed cattle. This was the simplicity of these homes.

The items within the homes were also very simple. Generally the mattresses were made of leather and stuffed with grass. Pillows were also stuffed with either grass or the leaves of a date tree. Besides these things there was very little else. The wives of the Holy Prophet (sas) also made do with just one outfit.

Hazrat ‘A’ishah (ra) once revealed that each of the wives did not own more than one outfit.1

The Holy Prophet (sas) had very simple eating habits. His wives also adopted similar habits and lived patiently and gratefully. Hazrat ‘A’ishah (ra) has narrated, “We often did not even light the stove for several days. We only ate dates and drank water. Due to our humble circumstances, the members of the household of the Holy Prophet (sas) were not able to eat bread for more than three days in a row.”

Hazrat Bilal (ra) was given the duty of managing the financial matters of the household. Whatever was received through gifts and spoils of war, went under his supervision. He also took care of distributing charity amongst the poor. If the need arose, he would ask for a loan. After the victory of Khaibar, the Holy Prophet (sas) started giving his wives twenty kilograms of barley to last for a month, and a maund of dates (which is equivelant to approximately thirty seven kilograms) to last for a whole year. These were also used to take care of the guests and to give to charity.2

During these hard times, the Holy Prophet (sas) once said to his wives, in accordance with a revelation from Allah the Almighty:

“If you wish for all the luxuries of life then come and let me give you all the material things of the world. However, if you choose this you cannot remain my wives. I will bid you farewell with generosity and kindness. But, if you value God and His Messenger, and want rewards in the Hereafter, then listen! Those righteous ones among you who put God’s pleasure before all else will be the recipients of great rewards from Him.”3

None of his wives chose to take up the wealth of the world and separate from the Holy Prophet (sas). But were not all the bounties of both worlds created for the Holy Prophet (sas)? Then why did he prefer to lead such a simple life? It was because his only ambition in life was to please Allah the Almighty. The purpose in life of the Holy Prophet (sas) was not to enjoy the riches of the world. The Holy Prophet (sas) said, “My God gave me the chance to have the whole valley of Makkah filled with gold. I said, ‘O my Lord, I am happy to eat one day and remain hungry the next. When I am hungry, I can supplicate to you and busy myself in your remembrance; and when I am full, I can praise you and be grateful to you.’”4

May millions and millions of peace and blessings be upon this beloved Prophet (sas) of ours, who rejected the opportunity to gain all the riches of the world, and instead gave preference to faith. Moreover the Holy Prophet (sas) counseled his wives so well that they became shining examples for every woman amongst his followers. No poor, less fortunate man or woman can say that the Holy Prophet (sas) did not understand the trials they face, or that he lived in luxury.