Makings

In Makkah and Madina,

the Messenger lived a very simple life,

a few small mud walled rooms

clustered around the mosque,

and very few possessions,

a woven couch to lie on,

a bow and a sword and some armour

for those times the community were under attack,

a few earthenware pots for food and water,

and a few items of clothing.

Although when he was young he was a merchant,

as Messenger he did not spend his time

shopping in the bazaar for new things.

As a merchant he specialized in fine fabrics,

but as Messenger he patched his clothes when they got worn,

and would mend his own sandals when they needed.

He lived as a poor man,

and whatever he was given

he would give away to anyone who asked.

But he did not ask everyone to live the same way.

There were richer people around him,

and all that they had to do was pay their zaka

to purify what they had,

But they could still own gold and jewellery, and fine clothes.

If they chose to eat rich foods and grow fat they did not have to follow the Messenger's example,

and what they gave away to the poor was up to them.

The Qur'an recognises that people like wealth,

and as the community grew and spread around the world

muslims used their wealth in different ways,

and buildings were no longer made of mud and palm leaves,

and they could become extraordinarily grand.

And as the muslim umma grew it searched for new knowledge,

and what they discovered they used to make things in different ways,

as well as inventing new ways for themselves.

And what they made took on different styles according to local cultures,

but still their muslim understanding could be seen in the results,

sometimes with incredibly complicated designs

reflecting the endless variety of God's creation,

and sometimes with work showing great simplicity

reflecting the one-ness of God.

But always what made any work Islamic was the intention of those who did it,

the intention to do things to the best of their ability,

for the glory of God the Creator.

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