Banī Isrāīl! Always consider the world as lowly. Do not give it any honour, and it will become soft for you. Condemn the world, and you will be successful in the next life. Do not place the Hereafter behind your back and honour this world. Indeed, the world is not something worthy of respect, that you should honour it. It calls you towards a new calamity or loss every day, so save yourself from its deception.”

He then asked, “O people! Do you know where my home is?” The people replied, “O Prophet of Allah! Where is your home?” Sayyidunā ʿĪsā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام then responded, “The masjids are my places of residence, my hunger is the filling of my stomach, my feet are my conveyance, the shining moon at night is my lamp, and praying salah during the bitter cold nights is the most beloved action to me. My food is dry leaves, the grass of the earth and its plants are like fruit for me, and it is from them that the animals receive sustenance. I eat the same vegetables and plants. My clothing is wool, fearing Allah Almighty is my sign, and the poor and needy are my most beloved friends.”

“I reach the morning in such a state that I possess nothing from the worldly things, and I reach the evening in the same state where I have nothing of the world, yet I still have no concern over whether so-and-so is wealthy. I consider myself utmost fortunate and extremely wealthy (meaning, I am pleased with the decree of my Lord in this state too).”

It is also narrated regarding sayyidunā ʿĪsā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام that he spent 10 years of his life in the same woollen garment; whenever it would rip, he  would tie it with a rope or place a patch upon it.^[1]