Imam Qadhi Aiyadh رحمه الله says in his famous classical book 'Kitab Al-Shifa’ on the topic of ‘signs of true love for the Prophet’ ﷺ :
“One of the signs of perfect love of the Prophet ﷺ is that the one who aspires to it lives without unneccessary wealth in this world and prefers poverty.
The Prophet ﷺ said to Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, "Poverty for those among you who love me comes quicker than a flood from the top of the mountain to the bottom." (at-Tirmidhi)
In a hadith from 'Abdullah b. Mughaffal, a man said to the Prophetﷺ, "O Messenger of Allah, I love you." He said, "Take care what you say!" He said, "By Allah, I love you" three times. He said, "If you love me, then prepare for poverty quickly." (Tirmidhi). There is a similar hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri.”
The way to understand this point that Qadhi Aiyadh رحمه الله wants to convey is that whoever claims love must be ready to walk the path of the beloved—and the path of the Prophet ﷺ was not a path of worldly ease.
Classical scholars explained this ḥadith as a profound warning against making superficial claims of love for the Prophet ﷺ without understanding its implications. They emphasize that true love (maḥabbah) necessarily entails following (ittibāʿ). Since the life of the Prophet ﷺ was marked by simplicity, detachment from worldly excess (zuhd), and enduring hardship, anyone who genuinely loves him must be prepared to walk a similar path. The phrase “prepare for poverty” is therefore not merely about financial lack but a metaphorical call to ready oneself for trials, reduced attachment to worldly comforts, and sacrifice in the way of truth.
Similarly, scholars clarify that “poverty” in this context extends beyond material deprivation to include a life of آزمائش (trial), where one’s attachment with the dunya is weakened and one is tested more intensely. The comparison “faster than a flood” is understood as a rhetorical emphasis, indicating that those who sincerely follow the Prophet ﷺ may encounter trials swiftly and intensely, in line with the broader prophetic teaching that the most severely tested are the Prophets and those closest to them.
Importantly, some scholars caution that Islam does not glorify poverty in itself; rather, it honors a life of Zuhd (simplicity and detachment of the heart from the Worldly pleasures), and patience (ṣabr) and contentment (riḍā) when such trials occur.
We should also keep in mind the authentic ahadith in Jami Tirmidhi that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The poor Muhajirin will enter Paradise before the rich among them by five hundred years." and "The poor are admitted into Paradise before the rich, by five hundres years...” (Tirmidhi)
Thus, the essence of these aḥadeeth is that love for the Prophet ﷺ is not an emotional claim alone—it demands alignment with his way of life, readiness for sacrifice, and acceptance of the آزمائش that often accompany sincere faith.
