Simplicity
and Poverty-stricken Circumstances - A Facet of Iman
Hadhrat Abu Umamah, Iyass
bin Sa'labah radhiallahu anhu relates that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam once
said: "Do you hear? Do you hear? (In other words, listen attentively and remember
what is being said). Simplicity and poverty also forms a branch of Iman." He
sallallahu alaihi wasallam said this repeatedly. [Abu Daud]
This implies that external
simplicity, adversity (or poverty) and the lack of concern regarding one's dressing also
stems from the condition of ones's Iman. This simplicity is, in essence, an important
branch of Iman and one of it's many manifestations. In another Hadith, Hadhrat Muâz bin
Anas radhiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: "The
one who, on grounds of humility, refrains from wearing good expensive clothing despite
having the means to do so, Allâh will summon him on the day of judgement before the
entire creation and give him the choice of selecting and wearing any garment of
Iman." [Ma'ariful-Hadith]
Furthermore, in another
Hadith, Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam advised Hadhrat Ayesha radhiallahu anha
thus: "O Ayesha! If you wish to meet me (in the hereafter), then the amount of
belongings a traveller bears in this world, should be sufficient for you. Also beware of
the company of the wealthy and don't stop wearing a garment on the assumption that it has
become old until you have patched and worn it."
Hadhrat Urwah bin Zubair
(Radhiallahu Anhuma) relates that in order to implement this advice practically, his aunt
(Hadhrat Ayesha) avoided wearing new clothes to an extent that her old clothes were
patched and completely worn out.
All this was not on
account of insufficient means because our mother Hadhrat Ayesha radhiallahu anha used to
receive a lot of wealth and gifts only to disburse them in charity. We should study the
conditions of our mothers (the pure wives of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam and his
daughters and the life-styles of other pious women from books such as: The stories of the
Sahâbah, Virtues of Charity, and books compiled by Maulana Aashiq Ilahi Sahib
Barni such as: The mothers of the Ummah, The daughters of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi
Wasallam and Twenty Lessons of Women. Numerous narrations appearing in this treatise
have been extracted from these books.
A person visited Hadhrat
Ayesha radhiallahu anha on one occasion when her bonds-woman, wearing a shirt worth five
Dirhams was also present. Hadhrat Ayesha radhiallahu anha remarked: "During the era
of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam I had a similar kurta which used to be
borrowed for a few days on the occasion of the marriage of any woman in Madinah."
The most honourable
personality of contemporary times, Hadhrat Shaikhul-Hadith (may Allâh illuminate his
grave) said: "I don't have any inhibition against giving the necessary amount of
utensils etc, in dowry, provided there is a genuine need. Giving jewellery in dowry is
also commendable. However, despite it's high cost, the work done on it should be minimal
(in other words, the jewellery must be simple even though it is expensive), so that it can
be worn by the daughters when the need arises. This jewellery must be given according to
one's financial capabilities. Nonetheless, I have an aversion to the clothes given in
dowry because in most cases, such expensive clothing cannot be worn in the house and they
just decay in suitcases (or wardrobes). There is no harm in sewing one or two such
expensive dresses because they can be worn while visiting someone for example. On the
other hand, sewing many such gaudy and expensive dresses is nothing but extravagance.
However, owing to the fact
that there is no compulsion whatsoever in Shariat, only the entirely detrimental things
are forbidden. As far as those things which are more meritorious or virtuous are
concerned, shariat has adopted an attitude of encouragement and persuasion to act upon
them instead of forbidding them outright. There are numerous examples of this and the
learned are quite cognizant with them. For example, according to a hadith, the
excellence of a woman's salâh lies in offering it in the innermost corner of her home to
such an extent that it surpasses her salâh offered behind Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi
wasallam in Masjide-Nabawe (The Rasulullah's Mosque in Madinah). However, if a woman
wishes to forego the virtue of observing salâh at home, she is not prevented from
attending the Mosque to offer salâh.
Similar is the case of
adorning herself and wearing beautiful garments. Although she is permitted to wear
beautiful clothes, numerous Ahadith persuade her to dress in plain and simple
clothing because simplicity is commendable. Nonetheless, anything against the principle of
simplicity is permissible provided it falls within reasonable and justifiable limits. It
will not be referred to as impermissible and no one other than those well acquainted with
Shariat have the right to regard it as such.
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