How Greedy Are You? (Hadith No. 413)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 8, Number 413:

Narrated Anas:

Some goods came to Allah’s Apostle from Bahrain. The Prophet ordered the people to spread them in the mosque –it was the biggest amount of goods Allah’s Apostle had ever received. He left for prayer and did not even look at it. After finishing the prayer, he sat by those goods and gave from those to everybody he saw. Al-‘Abbas came to him and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! give me (something) too, because I gave ransom for myself and ‘Aqil” Allah’s Apostle told him to take. So he stuffed his garment with it and tried to carry it away but he failed to do so. He said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Order someone to help me in lifting it.” The Prophet refused. He then said to the Prophet: Will you please help me to lift it?” Allah’s Apostle refused. Then Al-‘Abbas threw some of it and tried to lift it (but failed). He again said, “O Allah’s Apostle Order someone to help me to lift it.” He refused. Al-‘Abbas then said to the Prophet: “Will you please help me to lift it?” He again refused. Then Al-‘Abbas threw some of it, and lifted it on his shoulders and went away. Allah’s Apostle kept on watching him till he disappeared from his sight and was astonished at his greediness. Allah’s Apostle did not get up till the last coin was distributed.

 

 

Abbas (RA)’s behavior was quite astonishing indeed. If you’re thinking ‘oh my God! A sahabi acting so greedy?’, know that he was a human too. Humans forget. They need to be reminded. Prophet (SAW) tried his best to do so by not helping him carry the load.

Look at the behavior of Prophet (SAW), on the other side. He comes for prayer, does not even LOOK at the pile of goods in the mosque, offers Salah, then distributes ALL of it. Does not even keep the last coin for himself.

Which example would you like to follow?

P.S. this Hadith also teaches us that we should give priority to Salah over other errands. Try the Taskinator to schedule your day/week! They have an iPhone/iPod app of it as well! :)

Wassalam.