56 – Chapter: The virtue of hunger, of rough living, of limiting oneself to a small share of food, drink, clothing and other worldly comforts, and of forsaking sensual desires.

Allah the Exalted says: “Then there succeeded after them a generation who neglected the prayer and followed their passions; they will meet with ruin – except those who repent, believe, and act righteously: such people will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least” (Maryam 59-60).

He also says: “So he [Qarun] went forth before his people in all his splendor. Those who desired the life of this world said, ‘If only we had the like of what Qarun has been given! He is indeed a man of great fortune.’ But those who had been given knowledge said, ‘Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for whoever believes and acts righteously’” (al-Qasas 79-80).

And He says: “Then, on that Day, you will surely be questioned about every blessing” (al-Takathur 8); and He says: “Whoever seeks the fleeting world, We hasten therein whatever We will to whomever We please; then We consign him to Hell where he will burn, condemned and rejected” (al-Israʾ 18).

Verses dealing with this theme are many and well-known.

1/491 – ʿAʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The family of Muhammad ﷺ never filled themselves with barley bread for two consecutive days until he passed away.” Agreed upon.

In another narration: “From the time the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived in Madinah, the family of Muhammad ﷺ never ate their fill of wheat bread for three nights in a row until he passed away.”