Excelling in Piety & Detachment of Worldly things (Hazrat Musleh Mau’d’s (ra) Narration)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) says:
“The era of the Holy Prophet (sa) was an era in which they faced fear and danger and we can learn lessons from the commandments he gave the Muslims at that time. It was his own practice and he had also advised others not to prepare more than one dish for food.”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) was mentioning this in one of his sermons in relation to Tahrik-e-Jadid. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) further states:
“The guidance of the Holy Prophet (sa) was not to make more than one dish and he emphasised this to such a degree that some companions took a very strict course of action in this regard.
“On one occasion, vinegar and salt were placed before Hazrat Umar (ra) and he enquired as to why two dishes had been presented since the Holy Prophet (sa) had instructed that there should be only one dish. The people mentioned to Hazrat Umar (ra) that these were not two separate dishes; in fact, the salt and vinegar combined to form one dish; however, Hazrat Umar (ra) did not accept this and stated that they were, in fact, two separate dishes. Though Hazrat Umar (ra) was overly strict in this act of his owing to his love for the Holy Prophet (sa), this perhaps was not what the Holy Prophet (sa) meant, but nevertheless, this incident shows how much emphasis he placed on this in view of the fact that the Muslims needed to adopt simplicity.”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) further states:
“I do not make the same kind of demand from you as Hazrat Umar (ra) did and I do not state that salt is to be counted as a separate dish from vinegar. However, I do ask of you that for the next three years from today – during the course of which I shall make a yearly announcement, so that if the situation of fear transforms then this instruction shall also change, [and the instruction is] – every Ahmadi who wishes to partake in this battle with us should pledge to only eat one dish. That is, roti and broth or rice and broth. These do not count as two separate dishes; rather, they both combine to form one dish. However, it is not permitted for one to prepare two broths to eat with their roti or rice.”
(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 15, p. 426)
This was during the time when the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme was announced. At the time, the Jamaat was in need [of resources] and so it was announced that one ought to reduce their expenses and donate them towards their chanda. Now, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, the conditions have changed and therefore this restriction is no longer required, but even then one should not indulge in extravagances.
Whilst expounding upon the verse:
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُواْ لَمۡ يُسۡرِفُواْ وَلَمۡ يَقۡتُرُواْ وَكَانَ بَيۡنَ ذٰلِكَ قَوَامًا
[“And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly but adopt a moderate position in the middle.” (Ch.25: V.68)], Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:
“Allah the Almighty states that if one wants to become a servant of Allah, then it is necessary for them to consider two factors when spending their wealth. Firstly, one should not indulge in extravagances. Eating food is not for the sole purpose of luxury and delight; rather, it is to attain strength, power and enable the body to continue functioning. Likewise, when one wears clothes, it is not to show others; rather, it is to cover one’s body and in order to preserve one’s dignity which Allah the Almighty has granted to humankind. The example of the companions demonstrates that this is exactly what they practised.
“Once, Hazrat Umar (ra) travelled to Syria and the companions there were wearing silk clothes. By ‘silk clothes’ are meant garments which had some silk in them because to wear a garment made purely from silk is forbidden unless one is exempt due to an illness. Hazrat Umar (ra) instructed his companions to throw sand at them, in other words he was extremely displeased. He then stated, ‘Have you become so accustomed to luxuries that you have started wearing silk clothes?’ Upon this, one of the companions took off his upper garment and showed that he was wearing another heavy garment beneath it which was made of thick wool. He then stated to Hazrat Umar (ra), ‘We have not worn these silk clothes because we like them; rather, it is a custom among the people of this country. Right from their childhood, these people are accustomed to seeing their leaders living in a very grandiose and spectacular manner.
“Thus, in view of the political traditions of the country we have also worn such clothes, but we have not come under their influence in any way. Thus, the practice of the companions shows what is meant by overindulgence. It means that one should not spend their wealth on such things which they are not in need of and it’s merely done as a form of luxury and lavishness.
“Hence, God Almighty states that the true servants of Allah are those who do not waste their wealth, nor spend it ostentatiously; rather, they spend it on that which is helpful and beneficial.
“Secondly, one should not hold back from spending their wealth where it is deemed necessary to spend one’s wealth, in other words, where one can be of benefit if they spend their wealth. Thus, one should not spend their wealth in a manner which is contrary to the will of Allah the Almighty and secondly, one should not abstain from spending their wealth whereby they are not even fulfilling their rightful dues.
“These are two conditions in relation to spending one’s wealth in order to become a true servant of Allah. However, there are many people who either spend excessively or then they are extremely miserly.”
(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 5, pp. 3, 4)