The family members of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were the true friends and well wishers of the people who felt strong grief when they saw people in any kind of distress or suffering. They worked hard to restore the rights of the deprived and gave all their belongings to the needy.

They were always ready to face hardships in order to save others. Sometimes, they would even give to the needy the food or clothing which they themselves urgently needed. There are many of such happenings that took place in the life of our religious leaders.

For instance, once Imam Ali's (pbuh) children were sick. Their mother Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), vowed (Nazr) to fast three days on the recovery of her children, in thanksgiving to Allah.

Imam Ali (pbuh) and the children all joined Lady Fatima (pbuh) in thanksgiving. All of them fasted. It was sunset and they had only a few barley loaves of bread for their breakfast. As they were about to eat their food, someone knocked at their door, saying I am a poor man. Please give me some food. The food, which the whole family had, was very little. They gave it all to the poor man.

Again on next day, when the family wanted to break their fast an orphan began knocking at the door asking for food. The same thing happened on the third day also with a stranger. Each time they gave their food to the needy and they, themselves, remained hungry continuing their fast.

Muslim commentators say, The next day, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came to the family with these verses of the Holy Qur'an: "Surely the righteous shall drink of a cup the admixture of which is camphor, a fountain from which the servants of Allah shall drink; they make it to flow a (goodly) flowing forth. They fulfil vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Allah to the poor and the orphan and the Active: We only feed you for Allah's sake. We desire from you neither reward nor thanks: Surely we fear from our Allah a stern, distressful day. Therefore, Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet with ease and happiness; And reward them because they were patient, with garden and silk." (Holy Qur'an, 76:5-12)

Moral: Nazr is very powerful. Always think of others before yourself. It is not how much you give to others that is important but the intention with which you give: i.e. "Qurbatan Ilallah" which means to get closer to Allah.

It was a usual meeting. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance. Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared, saluted the assembly:

"Salamun Alaikum" (Peace be on you)

And finding a vacant place comfortably sat down.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated next to a very rich man. The rich man felt very disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man didn't touch them. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) observed this and addressing the rich man, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"Perhaps you are afraid that his poverty would affect you?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah," he said.

"Then perhaps you were apprehensive about some of your wealth flying away to him?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah," he replied.

"Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah."

"Then why did you draw yourself and your clothes away from him?"

The rich man said:

"I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess my guilt. Now to make amends for it I will give away half of my wealth to this Muslim brother so that I may be forgiven."

Just as he said this, the poor man rose and said,

"O Messenger of Allah, I do not accept this offer."

People present were taken by surprise, they thought that the poor man was a fool, but then he explained:

"O Messenger of Allah, I refuse to accept this offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and ill-treat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me."

The Bedouin entered Madina, and went directly to the Masjid, so that he may get some money or gold from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). When he arrived, he saw the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sitting among his companions. He asked his need. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave his something. He was not content, and moreover he used harsh and inappropriate language against the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The companions became very angry, and were ready to hurt him. But the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prevented them from haste.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) took the Bedouin to his home, and gave him some more. The Bedouin saw that the residence of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wasn't like those of the heads of governments, and there is no luxury in his home.

The Bedouin became content with the share, and thanked the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). At this time, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked him: "You said a harsh word yesterday, which caused anger in my companions. I fear that they will hurt you. Would you be willing to show your appreciation in front of them, so that their anger be resolved, and they don't hurt you?" The Bedouin said: "Sure."

The next day, the Bedouin came to the Masjid. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) addressed his companions: "This man says, he is content with his share, is it true?" The Bedouin said: "That is true." Then he repeated the appreciation that he had shared with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The companions smiled.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) addressed the group: "The parable of me and these types of individuals is like that of the man whose camel was running away from him. With the [thought] they could help the owner, people were running after the camel. The camel was frightened and ran faster. The owner called on the people, please leave my camel alone, I know better how to calm it. When the people stopped chasing the camel, the owner followed it calmly, with a fistful of grass. Then without the need for running, yelling, he showed the grass to it.

The mosque of Medina was not only a place of worship. The believers assembled here to learn. When the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was present they heard his words of wisdom, his elucidation on the verses of the Holy Qur'an and benefited from his counsel. And when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not present, other faithful companions taught what they had heard from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Once the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) entered the Mosque before the prayer time. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) found two groups in the Mosque. One group was busy with its own act of worship, some were reading the Holy Qur'an while the others were supplicating. The other group was in a corner busy learning. They learnt how to read and write and discussed the teachings of Islam and their application to their daily lives.

Looking at both, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"They are both engaged in useful pursuits. But I am a teacher. I shall join the group assembled to learn."

And so the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sat with the group of students.

Whenever they reaped their first harvest, they brought early, fresh fruits to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then he would distribute them among those who sat around him. This morning, a poor man brought one fruit from his small farm and gave it to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) accepted the gift, tasted it and then went on eating it alone while the companions watched. One of those present meekly said: O Messenger of Allah, you have over looked the right of those who watch while you eat?

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) smiled and waited till the man who had brought the fruit had gone. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

I tasted the fruit and it was not yet ripe. Had I allowed you to have some of it, someone would have definitely shown his distaste, thus disappointing the poor man who had brought the gift. Rather than make him feel better, my palate accepted the bitterness.