Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
16. The Companions of the Prophet
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out of the orchard. “How many trees luxuriant and
laden with fruit—Abu Dahda will have in
paradise,” the Prophet said of this donation.
This incident is representative of a general
eagerness among the Companions to donate their
wealth for the sake of their faith. One must call to
mind once again that this happened 1400 years ago.
Were anyone to perform an act of similar charity in
the name of their religion today, it is quite possible
that they would have great honours conferred upon
them by Muslims, which far exceeded their
expenditure. But things were quite different in the
time of the Companions. To spend in the cause of
religion in those days was to be condemned as
insane by society. Far from raising one to a high
pinnacle of fame, it was like burying oneself in a pit
of self-oblivion. The cause to which the
Companions devoted their lives and properties was
one surrounded in doubt. Historical evidence had
not yet accumulated in support of it. The truth of
Islam had not yet become established in society at
large. Yet the Companions donated their wealth for
the sake of their religion at that uncertain period of
Islamic history: Now, 1400 years later, the greatness
