People would refer to this group as As-haabus Suffah. It was as though this was the Khaanqah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the abstinent Prophet, who enthusiastically preferred poverty to the dominion of the world.

The As-haabus Suffah were a group of people made up of ascetics and Mutawakkileen whose principal objective, day and night, was their spiritual purity and the acquisition of the knowledge of the Quraan Majeed and the wisdom of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). They were neither interested in trade nor was farming of any concern to them.

These Sahaabah had dedicated their sight to looking at the blessed countenance of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and their ears to listening to his sacred words, and they had devoted their bodies to remaining in the companionship of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “I have observed seventy As-haabus Suffah who did not even possess a single sheet to cover themselves. They merely owned a sheet or a blanket to cover the lower portion of their bodies, which they would fasten to their necks. Even these blankets were so short that they would barely reach half their calves or their ankles and they would clasp it close to their bodies lest their satar become exposed.”

Hazrat Waathilah bin Asqa’ (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “I was also one of the As-haabus Suffah. None of us even possessed a complete set of clothing. Due to excessive perspiration, our bodies were covered with dust.” (This dust on their bodies was more beloved to Allah Ta‘ala than extreme cleanliness. These were the dishevelled and dusty personalities who, if they had to take an oath upon Allah Ta‘ala, He would ensure that their oaths are fulfilled.)

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/463-464)