We often read about the hardship the Muslims were in for most of the time during the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life. Many of his companions suffered from hunger. We have seen stories that mention how hungry the Prophet felt at times, that he would tie a stone over his stomach to quieten the pangs of hunger. We also read numerous stories that mention how a small amount of food or milk would suffice for a large number of people. We do not mention these as miracles performed by the Prophet. To start with, he did not perform any miracle. If something miraculous came about through his action, it was not given as a proof of his message. Otherwise, people would suffer the consequences stipulated in divine law which makes it imperative that those who demand a miracle in support of a messenger and their request is granted should immediately believe in that message. Otherwise, they would be destroyed. These situations where food, milk or water that could feed one or two, or at most a handful of people, was shared by a much larger number were acts of mercy granted by God. While they confirmed the belief of those who were present or benefited by them, they were never held as the proof of Prophet Muhammad’s message. That proof remains available to us and to all future generations. It is of two types: The Qur’an and the character of the Prophet.
These acts of divine mercy were made through the Prophet at any time they were needed. They might relieve the immediate and desperate need of one person or many people. There is no limit to God’s mercy. One example is reported by Abu Hurayrah, a very poor companion of the Prophet. “Sometimes I would put my abdomen on the floor because of my hunger. At other times I would tie a stone to my stomach. I once sat by the roadside and Abu Bakr passed by. I asked him about a verse of the Qur’an, but I only put the question to him hoping that he would ask me to go with him, but he did not. Then Umar passed by me and I asked him about a Qur’anic verse, only in the hope that he would invite me to go with him, but he did not. Then the Prophet came by and he recognized my condition. He told me to join him. When he got home I asked his permission to enter and he let me in. I found some milk in a bowl. He asked his family where did they get the milk from. They said: ‘It was sent as a gift by this person.’ The Prophet said to me: ‘Go to the people at Al-Suffah and invite them.’”
Al-Suffah was a place by the side of the Prophet’s Mosque prepared for people who came from outside Madinah and who had no shelter or money. They could increase so as to exceed a couple of hundred, and they could fall in number when many of them would join a jihad campaign. When the Prophet received a gift, he would partake of it and send the rest to them, but if he was sent some charity, whether zakah or sadaqah he would send it all to them. He would not eat of it if it was food or use it if it was of some other kind. The Prophet and his household were not allowed to take charity. Abu Hurayrah continues his story:
“I was not happy at having to call them. I hoped to have a share of that milk just to relieve my hunger for that day. I thought that since I am the messenger inviting them, I would be the one who hands them the drink and I would be the last to have a drop. How much would I have left? However, my only choice was to obey God and His Messenger. I invited them and they all came with me. When the Prophet invited them in, they sat down and he said to me: ‘Abu Hurayrah! Take the milk bowl and give them to drink.’ I did so, giving the bowl to one by one. Each would drink as much as he wanted. When they all had their fill, I gave the bowl back to the Prophet. He took it in his hand, and there was some milk left in it. He looked at me and smiled. He said: ‘Abu Hurayrah! Only you and I are left.’ I said: ‘This is true.’ He said: ‘Sit down and drink.’ I drank, but he continued to tell me to drink, and I would drink until I said to him: ‘By Him who sent you with the message of the truth, I cannot drink a drop more.’ He said to me: ‘Give me the bowl.’ He drank some of what was left.” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari and Al-Tirmidhi.)
Abu Hurayrah reports a similar incident when he mentions that he had nothing to eat for three days. He aimed to go to Al-Suffah, but he was so weak that he kept falling. Children saw him and said: ‘Abu Hurayrah has gone mad.’ He reports: “I kept saying to them that they were the mad ones. When I reached Al-Suffah, I found out that the Prophet has sent two plates of Tharid, (which is a dish of bread and meat). He invited the people of Al-Suffah and they were all eating. I tried to show him myself, hoping that he would invite me too. But the people finished eating, leaving only the odd bit to the side of the plate. The Prophet pooled these little bits together and they were a bite that he put on his fingers. He then said to me: ‘Come to eat, and say: In the name of God.’ By God who holds my soul in His hand, I continued to eat of it until I was full.” (Related by Ibn Hibban.)
In both stories we see how the Prophet’s companions were short of food, and how the Prophet cared particularly for those who were very poor. He would pray to God to bless the little that he might have so as it could be shared out by the poorest in his community. He would either call them in, or go to them to feed them himself. They realized that much of their poverty was due to the fact that they decided to adopt Islam at a time when it was under siege, with the rest of Arabia waging a war to suppress it. They would not have suffered such poverty had they chosen to remain with their tribes. They, however, could not turn their backs on Islam when they realized that it is the message of the truth. They realized that their hardship was temporary, even though it might last for the rest of their lifetime. God promises to give power, safety and security to those who prove themselves to be genuine believers, and He would not fail to honor His promise. Indeed Abu Hurayrah reports on the great change in his circumstances.
Ibn Seereen reports: “We were with Abu Hurayrah at his place when he was wearing two garments made of linen. He cleared his nose using the end of one of them. He then said: ‘Well, well! Abu Hurayrah clears his nose in linen! I used to lose consciousness in the Prophet’s Mosque, and someone might put his foot on my neck thinking I was in a fit of madness, when there was nothing wrong with me except that I was hungry. I worked for Ibn Affan and Busrah bint Ghazwan for my food and a turn in riding when they traveled. I used to lead their mounts when they rode and serve them when they encamped. Busrah once said to me: ‘You shall bring my mount bare-footed, and you shall ride it while it is standing.’ Yet later I married her by the grace of God. I once said to her: ‘You shall bring my mount bare-footed and you shall ride it.’” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Al-Tirmidhi.)
It should be noted that this last portion about bringing the mount when he was without shoes is an addition in some anthologies, but it is not included by Al-Bukhari and Al-Tirmidhi. It shows that Abu Hurayrah had a good sense of humor, reminding his wife how she used to order him about when he worked for her.
