Chapter IV: Poverty and Renunciation
Examples of the Prophet and his companions. Abu Bordah said that Hazrat Ayesha took out one blanket and one coarse wearing cloth and said that the Prophet expired within these two clothes. The Prophet said : God loves the man who puts on what he gets and does not differentiate. He also said : God is dissatisfied with one who takes his dress for name and fame even though he is the beloved of God, till he takes it off. Once the Prophet purchased a cloth costing four dirhams. His two clothes (wearing cloth and balnket) were valued at ten dirhams. His Tahband were four and half cubits long. He purchased once one Tahband for three dirhams. Sometimes he put on two white shamlas made of woo) called gown. Sometimes he put on two clothes of the same kind. Sometimes he put on two course sheets made of Yemen. The Prophet had a long shirt. Once the Prophet put on a silk cloth of yellow colour made of Sandaush of the value of two hundred dirhams. The companions touched it and said with wonder : O Mesenger of God, this cloth has descended to you from Paradise. This dress was presented to the Prophet by the Emperor Mukaokis of Alexandria. He wished the Prophet to be dressed therewith. He put it on and then took it off and sent it to a non-believer with whom the Prophet had cordial relations.
Thereafter he made silk dress unlawful. Once the Prophet put on a gold ring. Thereafter he put it off and made it unlwaful for males.
Once the Prophet put on a long shirt and said his prayer.
After the prayer, he said : This cloth having embroidery turned away my mind. Take it to Abu Jaham, give it to him and take his blanket in its place for me. Once the laces of the shoes of the Prophet grew old and he took new laces and therewith he prayed. After the prayer, he said : Give me the old laces and put off the new ones, as during the prayers my attention was drawn towards the new laces. Once he put on a gold ring and began to deliver khutabah (sermon) on a pulpit. Suddenly his attention was drawn towards the ring. He put it off at once and said : I should not keep one eye towards the ring and one eye towards you.
Once the Prophet was given a new pair of shoes. He was delighted at it and said in prostration : It appears to be good in my eyes. For this I feared and fell in prostration before my Lord.
Then he came out with it and gave it to a poor man he found first
184 THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES Vol-IV
on the way. Once a long gown of leopard's skin was prepared or the Prophet. He put it on and said : How fine, how soft ! See to it.
Then a wild Arab got up and said : O Messenger of God, gift it to me. He gifted it to him and ordered for a fresh gown. During its use, he died.