Selflessness

It was a settled principle with the Prophet that he always kept to the fore his own kith and kin and those who were nearer to him in facing a risk or hazard but allotted them the last place in distributing favours and rewards and spoils of war. When the three well-known swordsmen of Quraysh, 'Utba b. Rabia, Shayba b. Rabi'a and Walid b. 'Utba, challenged the Muslims to a single combat at Badr, the Prophet sent forward Hamza, 'All and 'Ubayda although he knew about the velour of enemy combatants and also had a number of veterans among the Muhajirin and the Ansar who could have successfully tilted with the Qurayshite battlers. All the three, Hamza, 'Ali and 'Ubayda, belonged to the Prophet's own clan, Banu Hashim, and were his nearest relatives. They were also held dear by him but the Apostle disliked to imperil others for the sake of keeping his kindreds out of danger. God helped the three to emerge successful in the combat; Hamza and 'Ali came back safe and triumphant while 'Ubayda was brought back mortally wounded. Again, when the Prophet disallowed usury and abolished blood vengeance belonging to the pre-Islamic period on the occasion of Farewell Pilgrimage he declared, "The usury of the pre-Islamic period is abolished, and the first of our usury I abolish is that of 'Abbas b. 'Abdul Muttalib. Claims of blood vengeance belonging- to the pagan past have been abolished and the first of those murdered among us whose blood vengeance I remit is that of the son of Rabia b. al Harith. "

 

Unlike the kings, rulers and political leaders the Prophet of God always kept his kins and kindreds in the background, giving preference to others in giving out gifts and rewards. 'Ali relates that Fatima had to work hard in grinding corn. So, when she got the news that some slave girls had been brought to the Prophet, she went to him but did not find him. Aishwas present there to whom she told (of her desire for a servant). When the Prophet came, Aisha informed him about Ftima's visit. Relating this incident 'Ali says: "The Apostle of God visited us when we had gone to bed. We were about to get up but he told us to stay where we were. He then sat down near me and I felt the coldness of his feet on my chest. He then said, 'Let me guide you to something better than what you have asked. When you go to bed, say Subhan Allah (Glory be to God) thirty-three time, Alham-du lilah (Praise be to God) thirty-three times, and Allah-o-Akbar (God is most great) thirty-four times. This will be better for you than a servant."

 

In another report of the same incident handed down through another source, the Prophet is also reported to have said, "By God, I cannot give you anything at the time when the bellies of my companions of Suffa have been hollowed by hunger. I have nothing to meet their expenses and I will sell these to provide for them."