Prophet Muhammad and the financial state of his sahabi

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One of the companions of the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.), by the name of Sa’d (r.a.), was very poor and was regarded as one of the People of the Bench, as- Suffa.  Sa’d (r.a.) used to offer all his salah behind the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.), who was greatly distressed by Sa’d’s (r.a.) poverty.

One day, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) promised him that if he got some money, he would give it to Sa’d (r.a.).  Time passed but no money came to the Prophet (s.a.w.), who became even more distressed at Sa’d’s (r.a.) situation.

It was at this time, that angel Jibril (a.s.) descended, bringing with him two darahim.  Jibril (a.s.) said to Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.), “Allah (s.w.t.) has Said: ‘We are Aware of your distress in connection with Sa’d’s poverty.  If you want him to emerge from this state, give him these two darahim and ask him to engage himself in business.’”

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) took the two darahim and set out of the house for the dhuhr prayers when he found Sa’d (r.a.) waiting for him near one of the rooms of the masjid.

Turning to Sa’d (r.a.), the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) asked: “Could you engage yourself in business?”

“By Allah (s.w.t.)!  I have no capital with which I can do business,” replied Sa’d (r.a.).

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) handed him the two darahim and told him to start business with this capital.  Sa’d (r.a.) took the money and after offering the dhuhr and ‘asr prayer set about to earn his livelihood.

Allah (s.w.t.) blessed Sa’d (r.a.) in such a way that whatever he purchased for a darahim, he would sell it for double the amount.  Consequently, his financial state gradually improved.  This continued until he eventually purchased a shop near the masjid and began conducting his business from there.  As his business picked up, he began to become lax with his worship, ibadah , even to the extent that when Bilal ibn Rabah (r.a.) called the adhan, he would not get ready for the prayers.  Previously, he was ready well before adzan was called.

When Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) noticed Sa’d’s (r.a.) lateness for prayer , he said to him: “Sa’d, this world has made you so busy that it has even weaned you away from your prayer to Allah.”

Sa’d (r.a.) replied, “What can I do?  If I leave my wealth unattended, it will go to waste and I will end up in loss.  From one person, I have to collect the money for the goods sold, while from another I have to take possession of the goods purchased.”

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) was disturbed at Sa’d’s (r.a.) involvement with his wealth and his negligence with respect to his worship, ‘ibadah.  At that moment, Jibril (a.s.) descended again and said: ‘Allah (s.w.t.) has Said: ‘We Possess knowledge of your distress.  Which of the two states do you prefer for Sa’d?’”

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) indicated that the previous state was beneficial for Sa’d (r.a.).  Jibril (a.s.) agreed, “Yes, love for the world causes man to become heedless of the hereafter.  Take back the two  darahim, which you had given to him previously.”

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) approached Sa’d (r.a.) and asked him if he could return the two  darahim that he had given to him.  “If you desire, I shall even give you two hundred darahim,” replied Sa’d (r.a.).

“No, just give me the two darahim, which you had taken from me.” said the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.).  Sa’d (r.a.) handed the money to the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) and within a short time, his financial situation turned a full circle and before long he found himself in his previous state.

From this, we understand that our present state is always most beneficial to us spiritually.  A change of fortune may bring us closer to the Fire.  The wealth of the world is merely glittering dust.

2 responses to “Prophet Muhammad and the financial state of his sahabi

  1. Salam brothers. Please I would like to know the last name of this Sa’d (r.a) who was very poor. There are many sahaabi with the name Sa’d.

    • Walaykum As-salam brother, this is what I can tell on this and best is known to Allah.
      This Sa’d’s (r.a) full name was Sa’d ibn Malik al-Khudari (r.a) also known as Abu Sa’id (r.a). He had narrated many traditions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). His narrations are included in hadith collection of Bukhari and Muslim. And he was from the Ansar, the original natives of Medina. He was very close to well-known companions such as Abu Hurayra (r.a), Abu Dhar (r.a), and Salman al-Farsi (r.a) and he was a young companion of Prophet (s.a.w).

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