Prophet Muhammad in richness and poverty

Prophet Muhammed in poverty and wealth

The Messenger (peace be upon him) was not only a good example for traders, but he was a good example for the rich and poor. One day,[related by Ahmed].
During the Messenger’s life, his circumstances changed from poverty to wealth. Therefore, the Messenger (peace be upon him) gave the poor a wonderful example and role model for any circumstances of poverty and the patience that is needed in such a state. Simlarly, the Messenger (peace be upon him) gave a wonderful example and role model for wealthy circumstances and the thanks, liberality and generosity that are appropriate in such a state. The Messenger (peace be upon him) chose to live in a state of slavery to Allah and with a lack of luxuries. Consequently, he used to be hungry sometimes and satisfied other times; this was in order for him to be an example for the hungry in how to face the Lord and supplicate Him, and an example for those who are satisfied in how to praise and thank Allah. Then Allah (Glorified is He) destined for him to die when he was poor in order for him to receive the reward of being ascetic in this worldly life.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said,“The family of the Messenger did not feel satisfied, not wanting food, for three consecutive days [anytime] up until he died”[related by Al-Bukhari].

The Messenger (peace be upon him) when he was poor

The Messenger (peace be upon him) lived a poor life and experienced what the poor experience of hunger and the need for food, drink and clothes. How many times was he hungry, not finding anything to eat, although he was the Messenger (peace be upon him), the best of Allah’s creation!! Sometimes, due to lack of food, the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to even tie a stone on his stomach due to hunger. [Graded as authentic by Al-Albani]. Moreover, his daughter Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) came one day with a piece of barley bread to give it to him to eat. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said,  [related by Ahmed].
We also have Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who entered upon the Messenger (peace be upon him) one day when the Messenger was in his house. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saw the Messenger lying down on a mat which had left marks on the Messenger’s side. Moreover, his stores were empty. Umar was greatly moved by all this, so the Messenger (peace be upon him) said to him this well-known saying,  [related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Messenger (peace be upon him) chose not to have worldly luxuries, so he used to be hungry sometime and satisfied other times. This was in order to be a role model and example for the poor of how to be patient in this life and look forward to Allah’s reward when they are in their state of poverty.
The Messenger (peace be upon him) was patient with hunger, poverty and difficult circumstances in life, although he was able to own both this life and the next. Why did he choose this?

The Messenger (peace be upon him) when he was rich
Allah (Glorified is He) says, {Did He not find you poor and enrich you?} [Surah Al-Duha: 8].
After the Messenger (peace be upon him) immigrated to Medinah and the Islamic call spread, the treasures of the earth were laid open for the Messenger (peace be upon him) and his Companions after the different countries were liberated and prosperity spread. Due to all that Allah (Glorified is He) gave him, the Messenger’s responsibilities towards his nation and the interests of both the general public as well as those of specific individuals became heavier. His amount he gave and the money he spent was more than what he kept for himself. Moreover, the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to give like one who did not fear poverty, as the Bedouin described him to his people, praising him. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said about this, “There was nothing the Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked that would make the one who asked enter Islam, but he gave it. A man came to him and the Messenger gave him all the cattle which was between two mountains. The man returned to his people and said to them, ‘Oh people, enter Islam. Muhammed gives like one who does not fear poverty’” [related by Muslim].
It has also been reported that   [related by Ahmed].
The Messenger (peace be upon him) used to pay off the debts and fulfill the needs of the family of the deceased, taking care of all their affairs and expenses. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said,  [related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

How can you take the Messenger (peace be upon him) an example to follow?

Praise and thank Allah (Glorified is He) when you are wealthy, and know that such wealth is a blessing from Allah to you. Consequently, give charity, spend the money [in good ways], and help the poor and needy.
When you are wealthy, spend on your household to make life easy for them and make Allah’s blessing of wealth clear on you. Allah (Glorified is He) loves to see the affect of His blessings on His slaves.
Give more charity when you are wealthy and be generous as the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to be, but do not waste money and do not be a spendthrift.

4. Praise Allah when you are poor and patiently withstand hunger and the straightened circumstances as the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to patiently withstand such difficulties. And know that this is good for you and raises your status with Allah (Glorified is He).
5. Oh you who have been tried with poverty, know you are like the Messenger (peace be upon him). And know that the poor, due to their quick account, will enter paradise before the rich. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said, <‘The poor will enter paradise before the rich by half a day, which is equivalent to five hundred years.’ Another narration states, ‘Forty autumns’> [related by Ahmed].
6. Know that the circumstances of life change, and be pleased with what Allah (Glorified is He) has allotted for you, whether it is wealth or poverty. Both of them are trials. Therefore, be like the Messenger (peace be upon him) and follow the Messenger’s example in order to pass this trial and test, and be happy in your life.