3.2. THE MESSENGER’S ASCETICISM
All of this is combined in the character of Allah’s Messenger, as it has been verified in the Sahih that he used to say, “The best speech is Allah’s speech; and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad; the worst of things (in religious affairs) are the newly invented ones; and every innovation is a misguidance.” It was his habit when it came to food that he didn’t reject what was available, nor did he demand what was unavailable. In clothing, he wore whatever was available from cotton, wool or other than that. He preferred cotton.
If he found out that some of his companions wanted to be excessive and increase in asceticism or worship beyond what was legislated, saying “Which of us is like Allah’s Messenger?”, he used to be angry at that and he would say “By Allah, I am the most fearful of Allah from among you, and the most knowledgeable of His boundaries.” He found out that some of his companions said “As for me, I will fast and not break the fast,” and another said “As for me, I will stand (in prayer) and not sleep,” and another said “As for me, I will not marry women,” and another said, “As for me, I will not eat meat.” So he said, “But I fast and break the fast; and I stand (in prayer) and I sleep; and I marry women and I eat meat. So whoever renounces my way, he is not of me.”
So abandoning one’s family and children is not what Allah loves. Neither is it from the way of the messengers. In fact, Allah said:
“And indeed We sent Messengers before you, and made for them wives and offspring.” (al-Ra”d (13):38)
Spending on one’s dependents and earning for them is sometimes compulsory and other times it is commendable. So how can leaving off a compulsory or commendable act be from the religion?
By Shaykhu’l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
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