Hadith record

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Asbat ibn Salim who has said the following: “I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) asked us about ‘Umar ibn Muslim and about what he has done. I replied, ‘He is a virtuous man but has given up doing business works.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said three times: It is the work of Satan. Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once bought a caravan that had come from al-Sham (Syria) in which he saved enough money to pay off his debts and distributed the extra among his relatives? Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “There are men who are not distracted by selling and buying from speaking of Allah. . . .” (24:36) Story tellers say, “These people (mentioned in this verse) did not involve themselves in trading and in business works.” These story tellers speak lies. The fact is that those people did not perform Salat (prayer) in (more virtuous) times and such people are more virtuous than those who attend Salat (prayer) and ignore trade and business work.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.