(56) Chapter: Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little

Khalid bin 'Umar Al-'Adawi reported: 'Utbah bin Ghazwan, the governor of Basrah, delivered a Khutbah. He praised Allah, glorified Him, then said: "Amma b'adu, verily, the world has been given the news of its end and is running to meet its end swiftly. Nothing is left out of it but a very little amount. Similar to the remainder in a dish whose owner is collecting it to drink; and you are going to move to an abode which knows no end, and you should proceed there with the good before you, for we have been informed (by the Prophet (ﷺ)) that a stone would be thrown at one side of the Hell and it would travel down for seventy years but would not reach its bottom. By Allah, it will be filled (with men and jinn). Do you find it strange? We have been informed (i.e., by the Prophet (ﷺ)) that the distance between two shutters of the gate of Jannah is forty years (distance). And a day would come when it would be fully packed; I was the seventh amongst the seven who had been with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we had nothing to eat but the leaves of the tree until the sides of our mouth were injured. We found a sheet which we tore into two and divided between myself and Sa'd bin Malik. I made the lower garment with half of it and so did Sa'd. Today, there is none amongst us who has not become the governor of a city, and I seek refuge with Allah that I should consider myself great while I am insignificant to Allah." [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith brings the following points into prominence: 1. Remembrance of Al-akhirah (the Hereafter) and the torment of Hell. 2. Description of the fast decline of the world and its trend towards destruction. 3. Description of the vastness of Jannah and Hell. 4. Reference to the affluence of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) which they had at a subsequent stage. It was in fact fulfillment of the Promise of Allah that He will bestow upon them power and majesty in this world. 5. The description of the graceful conduct of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH). In spite of having power and authority, they had neither arrogance nor pride. Goodwill and humility were special traits of their character and they always sought refuge with Allah against vanity and pride. 6. The Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) had sought to gain the pleasure of Allah rather than that of the people. 7. Humbleness of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), as well as their good conduct and uprightness despite being in a position of authority.