SIMPLICITY
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The super-rich, middle-class and the poverty-stricken — all
have existed in every era. Allah Ta'ala has distributed sustenance
to people according to His infinite wisdom by giving some
more than others. This distribution is a test for every individual.
Those with less have been taught to turn to Allah Ta'ala alone
for their needs. The wealthy have been exhorted to spend their
Allah-given wealth for their needs and in the cause of Deen
— including assisting the less fortunate servants of Allah
Ta'ala.
While
Islam has not prohibited a person from living comfortably
if he can afford to do so, the general mindset that Rasulullah
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) created in the Sahaaba (R.A.)
was that of abstinence from luxuries. This lesson was taught
to the Sahaaba (R.A.) by means of his practical example as
well as verbal exhortation.
CHOSE
POVERTY
Indeed, Allah Ta'ala had offered to turn the mountains into
gold for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Yet the life
he chose was one where, on many occasions, there was nothing
available to eat in any of the homes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam). He was greatly annoyed when some of his
wives indicated that they would like to have some increase
in their allowances. As an admonition upon even this casual
request, he remained away from them for an entire month. He
eventually bade farewell to this temporary abode while there
was not even sufficient oil in his home to light a lamp!!!
While
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) adopted simplicity
himself, he stressed the same for the Sahaaba (RA) as well.
When Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) dispatched Sayyidina
Mu'az bin Jabal (R.A.) as the governor of Yemen, he gave him
several advises among which was: "Beware of hankering
after comforts and luxuries for verily the true servants of
Allah Ta'ala are not self-indulgent."
Once
the Sahaaba RA were discussing some worldly aspects. Rasulullah
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed them and said: "Will
you not listen? Will you not listen? Will you not listen?
Verily simplicity is a part of Iman. Verily simplicity is
a part of Iman. Verily simplicity is a part of Iman"
(Abu Dawud).
The
lesson of simplicity and abstinence was so deeply entrenched
in the hearts of the Sahaaba (RA) that despite the fact that
some of them owned much wealth, they lived a life of complete
simplicity; spending their wealth on others and in the other
avenues of Deen. Once Hazrat Umar (R.A.) was partaking of
his meal. Hafs bin Abil'as was sitting with him but not eating.
Hazrat Umar (RA) enquired as to why he was not partaking of
the food. He excused himself by saying that the food was very
coarse and difficult to eat. He will return to his abode and
eat the more luxurious food that was prepared for him. Upon
this Hazrat Umar remarked: "Do you think that I am unable
to give the command that a sheep be slaughtered for me, be
skinned (and cooked); that flour be finely sieved and thinly
baked breads be prepared therefrom; that raisins be mixed
with butter-fat and water and mixed to a fine texture (a kind
of desert eaten in those days)?" Hearing this Hazrat
Hafs (RA) replied: "I see that you are acquainted with
the luxuries of life?" Hazrat Umar (RA) remarked: "Yes!
Had it not been for the fear that some of my good deeds would
be decreased on the Day of Judgment, I would have joined you
in your easy living" (Hayatus Sahaaba).
While
emulating the example of the Sahaaba (RA) in its entirety
is not an easy task, nor are we capable of doing so, we nevertheless
must always keep in mind the abstinence in their lives. This
will help to bring some degree of simplicity in our lives.
SUFFER
CONSEQUENCES
Indeed, we need to adopt simplicity, or else we will suffer
the consequences. Abandoning simplicity will result in one
forever hankering after luxuries. As a result contentment
will be totally lost. People will attempt to "keep up
with the Jones's." While the poor and middle-class will
be aspiring to have the luxuries that their wealthy neighbours
have, the wealthy will be forever looking for the "latest"
and the "ultimate" luxuries. This quest then continues
until death suddenly overtakes the person. In the last moments
of life a person wishes that he had spent more time and energy
in seeking the everlasting comforts and luxuries of the Hereafter.
Alas, at that time it is too late to lament.
SOCIAL
PROBLEMS
This attempt to keep up with what others have leads to many
other sins and social problems. If one cannot afford what
others have, one will even incur the curse of borrowing on
interest to acquire the desired luxury. What one does, or
acquires, is dictated by what others have or what "they"
do. A financially hard-pressed father complained that he was
battling to provide a daily allowance of R10.00 for his school-going
teenage child. The source of the problem was that the "other"
children at school did not bring lunch to school. Rather they
queued up at the tuck shop to buy their snacks. Hence this
child was embarrassed to take lunch from home, which would
be far more cost effective, and be the "odd one out."
Similarly, several parents have mentioned that their teenage
children have demanded that they be picked up from school
in the luxury family vehicle, not the "cheap" family
car.
FASHION
CONSCIOUS
Another consequence of abandoning simplicity is that one becomes
fashion conscious. Hence as the fashions rapidly keep changing,
so will one's expenses escalate. However, the greatest tragedy
of following fashion is that such a person drifts further
and further away from the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam). What harm can be greater than this?
An
aspect of extreme concern is the colossal amounts that are
squandered due to abandoning simplicity on the occasions of
Nikah. Merely to make the occasion a "memorable event"
and a "talk of the town," huge amounts are spent
on fancy frills and lavish arrangements. While simplicity
has been encouraged in all aspects, it has been especially
emphasised in Nikah. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
is reported to have said: "Verily that Nikah will have
the greatest Barakah wherein the least expenses were incurred"
(Mishkaat). Abandoning simplicity in Nikah is a sure way of
depriving oneself of the Barakah (blessings), which every
marriage requires so desperately.
Apart
from the above, the minimum degree of simplicity that can
be easily adopted is that such luxuries should be forsaken
which cost a fortune yet hardly any tangible benefit can be
obtained therefrom. The savings can be passed on to those
who are less fortunate. Consider the following examples:
FUTILE
BENEFITS
Consider the "homes" we build within our homes —
homes for glassware, plastic ware, cans of beans, etc. These
"homes" commonly known as built-in-cupboards do
serve a purpose. Hence if one can afford to install better
quality cupboards, it is permissible to do so, since there
is no compulsion on purchasing the cheapest quality. However,
as one progresses up the quality grades, the price difference
between the best and second best amounts to tens of thousands
of Rands. Yet both will last a lifetime. Both are of a luxurious
quality. The best perhaps glitters a little more — and has
the label of the best. This is hardly any "benefit"
worthy of consideration. Despite being able to afford the
best, if one settled for the second best, the savings on the
homes for cans of beans would have built many basic shelters
for homeless human beings!!!
Similarly,
one would barely notice the difference of the softness between
the seven shields and five shield quality carpets. However,
the savings would buy soft shoes for many shoeless servants
of Allah Ta'ala.
These
are just a few examples. One can extend this to various other
day-to-day aspects in one's life. In short, while enjoying
the Halal bounties of Allah Ta'ala, the path of moderation
and simplicity must not be forsaken. May Allah Ta'ala imbue
us with His love and save us from the love of the world. Ameen.
~
AL-HAADI ~ |