Powered by Islamic Desk
عَنْ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِیَ اللہ عَنْہُمَا قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَبِيتُ اللَّيَالِي المُتَتَابِعَةَ طَاوِيًا، وَاَهْلُهُ لَا يَجِدُونَ عَشَاءً، وَكَانَ اَكْثَرُ خُبْزِ هِمْ خُبْزَ الشَّعِيرِ
ریاض الصالحین (حدیث 491)It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Noble Prophet ﷺ would often spend several consecutive nights in a state of hunger. His household would not have food for the night, and the usual food of those blessed individuals was barley bread. This noble hadith shows that the Noble Prophet ﷺ did not take even what was necessary from this world. Rather, he sufficed with less than what was needed. There were many nights when no food was available at all, and when there was, it was generally barley bread—made from unsifted flour. The regular food of the pure Ahl al-Bayt was bread made from unsifted barley flour, and even then, they would not eat to their fill for two consecutive days.
The life of poverty and hardship, and enduring hunger, led by the Leader of the Universe, the Noble Prophet ﷺ and his pure family (Ahl al-Bayt), was not due to any compulsion. Rather, it was by his own choice. Otherwise, the treasures of both worlds are in his hands. If he had wished, the mountains of Makkah would have turned to gold for him ﷺ. However, he ﷺ chose spiritual richness (ghina-e-qalbi) over material wealth (ghina-e-mali). Allama Mulla Ali Qari عَلَیْہِ رَحْمَۃُ اللّٰہِ states: 'Aal' refers to the close relatives and servants of the Ahl al-Bayt. It is understood from two consecutive days that if they ate one day, they would remain hungry the next day. This was because the Holy Prophet ﷺ himself chose this. When the treasures of the earth were presented to him ﷺ and it was said that if he wished, the mountains of Makkah could be turned to gold, he ﷺ, choosing poverty, said: 'I will remain hungry one day and be patient, and I will eat one day and be grateful.' There are two parts to faith: patience and gratitude.' It is mentioned in a Hadith that the family of the Holy Prophet ﷺ did not eat their fill until he ﷺ passed away. At the time of his death, his armor was pawned with a Jew for a measure of barley. He ﷺ received abundant wealth, but he did not accumulate it; rather, he spent it for the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه says: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would spend many consecutive nights in a state of hunger. He and his family would not have dinner available, and whenever food was available, it was mostly barley bread.'