He then cited several reports to the same effect. Among them is the ḥadīth that the Prophet—blessings and peace be upon him—passed away without leaving behind anything that a creature with a moist liver could eat, apart from a small quantity of barley. ʿĀʾishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), said: “He left nothing but a little barley.”

Even so, he died while his coat of mail was held in pledge by a Jew for some barley he had taken for his family. Hard-pressed, he had purchased that barley from the Jew, giving his armor as collateral, and he departed this world while it was still in pawn.

This demonstrates that he—blessings and peace be upon him—was the most ascetic of people with respect to worldly things. Had he wished, the very mountains could have been turned into gold for him, but he did not desire that. Rather, he chose to keep to the bare minimum of this life so that he might leave it owing nothing and owning nothing. Indeed, he would give with the generosity of one who fears no poverty, yet he lived the life of the poor. Allah alone grants success.

20/476 – Khabbāb ibn al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We emigrated with the Messenger of Allah—blessings and peace be upon him—seeking the countenance of Allah Most High. Our reward, therefore, rests with Allah. Some of us died without having tasted any of their recompense. Among them was Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr (may Allah be pleased with him); he was killed on the Day of Uḥud and left behind only a cloak. When we covered his head with it, his feet were exposed; and when we covered his feet, his head was exposed. The Messenger of Allah ordered us to cover his head and place some izkhir grass over his feet. Others among us have had their fruits ripen, and they are now harvesting them.” Agreed upon.