دَخَلَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَرَأَى عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابَ بِيضٍ كَأَنَّهَا غِرْقِئُ الْبَيْضِ[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا اللِّبَاسَ لَيْسَ مِنْ لِبَاسِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ اسْمَعْ مِنِّي وَ عِ مَا أَقُولُ لَكَ فَإِنَّهُ خَيْرٌ لَكَ عَاجِلًا وَ آجِلًا إِنْ أَنْتَ مِتَ[2] عَلَى السُّنَّةِ وَ الْحَقِّ وَ لَمْ تَمُتْ عَلَى بِدْعَةٍ أُخْبِرُكَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ فِي زَمَانٍ مُقْفِرٍ جَدْ
قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَالَ وَيْحَكَ حَرَامَهَا فَتَنَكَّبْهُ[5].
Tie upon you! It is (not difficult to understand) knowing what is unlawful so that you can avoid it.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَيْسَ الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا بِإِضَاعَةِ الْمَالِ وَ لَا تَحْرِيمِ الْحَلَالِ بَلِ الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا أَنْ لَا تَكُونَ بِمَا فِي يَدِكَ أَوْثَقَ مِنْكَ بِمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
‘Zuhd (restraint from worldly matters) is not in wasting one’s belongings or making lawful things unlawful.’”
سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَصْرُ الْأَمَلِ وَ شُكْرُ كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ وَ الْوَرَعُ عَنْ كُلِّ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
‘Zuhd (restraint from worldly matters) in the world is to shorten one’s hopes, give thanks for every bounty and restrain from everything that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made unlawful.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ عَلَى تَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْغِنَى.
‘The best helper of piety is (financial) self-sufficiency.’”
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبَّنا آتِنا فِي الدُّنْيا حَسَنَةً وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً[1] رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ وَ الْجَنَّةُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَ الْمَعَاشُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ فِي الدُّنْيَا
“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘O Lord, grant us good in this world and in the next world’, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is Allah’s happiness with one, paradise in the next life, good living and excellent moral manners in this world.’”
قِيلَ لَهُ مَا بَالُ أَصْحَابِ عِيسَى ع كَانُوا يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْمَاءِ وَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ فِي أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ عِيسَى ع كُفُوا الْمَعَاشَ وَ إِنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ ابْتُلُوا بِالْمَعَاشِ[2].
“Once it was asked of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘How is it that disciples of Jesus could walk on water and the companions of Muhammad (SAW), do not have such ability? Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), replied, ‘The disciples of Jesus were self-sufficient financially and these people have trouble with their financial matters.’”
سَلُوا اللَّهَ الْغِنَى فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْعَافِيَةَ وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَ الْجَنَّةَ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Ask Allah to grant you (financial) self-sufficiency and good health in this world, forgiveness and paradise in the hereafter.’”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لَا خَيْرَ فِي مَنْ لَا يُحِبُّ جَمْعَ الْمَالِ مِنْ حَلَالٍ يَكُفُّ بِهِ وَجْهَهُ وَ يَقْضِي بِهِ دَيْنَهُ وَ يَصِلُ بِهِ رَحِمَهُ.
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘There is not much good in one who does not love to accumulate lawful wealth with which he can safeguard his dignity, pay off his debts and maintain good relations with relatives.’”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ اسْتَعِينُوا بِبَعْضِ هَذِهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ وَ لَا تَكُونُوا كُلُولًا عَلَى النَّاسِ.
‘You should use certain items of these resources to overcome other tasks and do not become a burden on people.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ أَلْقَى كَلَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Condemned is one who shifts his burden over on other people.’”
نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ.
“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The worldly resources are best means to overcome the difficulties of the next life.”’
نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ الدُّنْيَا.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the worldly resources are best means to overcome the difficulties of the next life.”
قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَطْلُبُ الدُّنْيَا وَ نُحِبُّ أَنْ نُؤْتَاهَا فَقَالَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ تَصْنَعَ بِهَا مَا ذَا قَالَ أَعُودُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ عِيَالِي وَ أَصِلُ بِهَا وَ أَتَصَدَّقُ بِهَا وَ أَحُجُّ وَ أَعْتَمِرُ فَقَالَ ع لَيْسَ هَذَا طَلَبَ الدُّنْيَا هَذَا طَلَبُ الْآخِرَةِ.
10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur who has said the following: “A man once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘We, by Allah, ask for the worldly things and we love to receive worldly gains.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What do you
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع غِنًى يَحْجُزُكَ عَنِ الظُّلْمِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ فَقْرٍ يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى الْإِثْمِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘A wealth that keeps you away from injustice is better than poverty which leads you to commit sins.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُصْبِحُ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَوْ يُمْسِي عَلَى ثَكَلٍ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ أَوْ يُمْسِيَ عَلَى حَرَبٍ فَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الْحَرَبِ[1].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A believer’s spending days and nights with suffering from the losses of his loved ones is better than his spending days and nights in the state of war.
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي الْخُبْزِ وَ لَا تُفَرِّقْ بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَهُ فَلَوْ لَا الْخُبْزُ مَا صَلَّيْنَا وَ لَا صُمْنَا وَ لَا أَدَّيْنَا فَرَائِضَ رَبِّنَا.
“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘O Allah, grant us blessings with our loaves of bread and do not take them away from us. Without bread we cannot perform Salat (prayer) or fast, perform our obligations toward our Lord.’”
نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى طَلَبِ الْآخِرَةِ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The worldly help in one’s quest for success in the hereafter is the best help.’”
نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ.
‘The worldly help in one’s quest for success in the hereafter is the best help.’”
إِنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْمُنْكَدِرِ كَانَ يَقُولُ مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَدَعُ خَلَفاً أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ ابْنَهُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَعِظَهُ فَوَعَظَنِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ بِأَيِّ شَيْءٍ وَعَظَكَ قَالَ خَرَجْتُ إِلَى بَعْضِ نَوَاحِي الْمَدِينَةِ فِي سَاعَةٍ حَارَّةٍ فَلَقِيَنِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ كَانَ رَجُلًا بَادِناً ثَقِيلً
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir has said, ‘I did not think Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), might leave behind a successor better than his own-self. Time passed and I one day saw his son, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). I decided to give him certain words of good advice but I, instead, learned a lesson
كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَضْرِبُ بِالْمَرِّ[1] وَ يَسْتَخْرِجُ الْأَرَضِينَ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَمَصُّ النَّوَى بِفِيهِ وَ يَغْرِسُهُ فَيَطْلُعُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ وَ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَعْتَقَ أَلْفَ مَمْلُوكٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ كَدِّ يَدِهِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would work with a shovel and dig the soil. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, placed date stones in his mouth and then planted it and it would sprout in the same hour. Amir
اسْتَقْبَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي بَعْضِ طُرُقِ الْمَدِينَةِ فِي يَوْمٍ صَائِفٍ[2] شَدِيدِ الْحَرِّ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ حَالُكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ قَرَابَتُكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَنْتَ تُجْهِدُ لِنَفْسِكَ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْأَعْلَى خَرَجْتُ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ لِأَسْتَغْنِيَ عَنْ مِثْلِكَ.
“I once came face to face with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in one of the streets of al-Madinah on a very hot summer day. I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, you have a prominent position before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and you are of very close relatives of the Messenger of Allah
أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَعْتَقَ أَلْفَ مَمْلُوكٍ مِنْ كَدِّ يَدِهِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), had set free one thousand slaves by means of what he had earned with his own hands.”
أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع أَنَّكَ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ لَوْ لَا أَنَّكَ تَأْكُلُ مِنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ وَ لَا تَعْمَلُ بِيَدِكَ شَيْئاً قَالَ فَبَكَى دَاوُدُ ع أَرْبَعِينَ صَبَاحاً فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى الْحَدِيدِ أَنْ لِنْ لِعَبْدِي دَاوُدَ فَأَلَانَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ فَكَانَ يَعْمَلُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ دِرْعاً فَيَبِيعُهَا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَعَمِلَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةٍ وَ
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent revelations to Dawud (a.s.) that said, ‘You are a very good servant had you not been spending on yourself from the public treasury while doing no work with your own hands.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Dawud ‘Alayhi al
لَقِيَ رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ تَحْتَهُ وَسْقٌ مِنْ نَوًى[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا هَذَا يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ تَحْتَكَ فَقَالَ مِائَةُ أَلْفِ عَذْقٍ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَغَرَسَهُ فَلَمْ يُغَادَرْ مِنْهُ نَوَاةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ[2].
6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that a man once visited Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), and found him sitting on a camel-load of date stones. He asked, ‘What is it on which you are sitting, O abu al
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَضَعَ حَجَراً عَلَى الطَّرِيقِ يَرُدُّ الْمَاءَ عَنْ أَرْضِهِ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا نَكَبَ بَعِيراً وَ لَا إِنْسَاناً حَتَّى السَّاعَةِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once placed a piece of stone on the waterway to prevent it from flowing into his land. By Allah, until this day no human being or camel has moved it away.”
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَنَا عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ مَا فَعَلَ فَقُلْتُ صَالِحٌ وَ لَكِنَّهُ قَدْ تَرَكَ التِّجَارَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَمَلُ الشَّيْطَانِ ثَلَاثاً- أَ مَا عَلِمَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص اشْتَرَى عِيراً أَتَتْ مِنَ الشَّامِ[4] فَاسْتَفْضَلَ فِيهَا مَا قَضَى دَيْنَهُ وَ قَسَمَ فِي قَرَابَتِهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رِجالٌ لا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجارَةٌ وَ لا بَي
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?
إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَانَ يَخْرُجُ وَ مَعَهُ أَحْمَالُ النَّوَى فَيُقَالُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مَا هَذَا مَعَكَ فَيَقُولُ نَخْلٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَيَغْرِسُهُ فَلَمْ يُغَادَرْ مِنْهُ وَاحِدَةٌ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would go to work with large quantities of date stones. He was asked, ‘What are these, O abu al-Hassan?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘They are palm trees, by the will of Allah.’ He then planted them and not a single piece failed sprouting.”
رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَعْمَلُ فِي أَرْضٍ لَهُ قَدِ اسْتَنْقَعَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي الْعَرَقِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَيْنَ الرِّجَالُ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ قَدْ عَمِلَ بِالْيَدِ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ مِنْ أَبِي فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ مَنْ هُوَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ آبَائِي ع كُلُّهُمْ كَانُوا قَدْ عَمِلُوا بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ هُوَ مِنْ عَمَلِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الْمُرْ
“I once saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.), working in his land and his feet were drenched in perspiration. I asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, where are men (workers)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘O Ali, people better than my father and I worked in their land.’ I then asked, ‘Who were they?’ He (the
أَتَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ إِذَا هُوَ فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ بِيَدِهِ مِسْحَاةٌ وَ هُوَ يَفْتَحُ بِهَا الْمَاءَ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ شِبْهَ الْكَرَابِيسِ كَأَنَّهُ مَخِيطٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ ضِيقِهِ.
“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and found him inside his walls with a shovel in his hand. He was opening the waterway. His shirt was of a fabric made of thick cotton threads (karabis) which was of very small size for him.”
لَهُ اتَّجِرْ بِهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لِي رَغْبَةٌ فِي رِبْحِهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ الرِّبْحُ مَرْغُوباً فِيهِ وَ لَكِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ يَرَانِيَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ مُتَعَرِّضاً لِفَوَائِدِهِ قَالَ فَرَبِحْتُ لَهُ فِيهَا مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ ثُمَّ لَقِيتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَدْ رَبِحْتُ لَكَ فِيهَا مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ قَالَ فَفَرِحَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِذَلِكَ فَرَحاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِي أَثْبِتْهَا فِي
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once gave my father one thousand seven hundred dinars and told him to use them in business. He (the Imam) then said, ‘I am not interested in its profits, even though profits are desirable. I love, however, that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, see me work to make profits.’ He (the narrator)
رَأَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ بِيَدِهِ مِسْحَاةٌ وَ عَلَيْهِ إِزَارٌ غَلِيظٌ يَعْمَلُ فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ وَ الْعَرَقُ يَتَصَابُّ عَنْ ظَهْرِهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَعْطِنِي أَكْفِكَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَتَأَذَّى الرَّجُلُ بِحَرِّ الشَّمْسِ فِي طَلَبِ الْمَعِيشَةِ.
“I once saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), with a shovel in his hand wearing a very thick dress working inside his walls and his back drenched in perspiration. I then asked, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, allow me to help you.’ He said to me, ‘I Love that man endures hardships in the hot sun to make
إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَا أُحْسِنُ أَنْ أَعْمَلَ عَمَلًا بِيَدِي وَ لَا أُحْسِنُ أَنْ أَتَّجِرَ وَ أَنَا مُحَارَفٌ مُحْتَاجٌ[1] فَقَالَ اعْمَلْ فَاحْمِلْ عَلَى رَأْسِكَ وَ اسْتَغْنِ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَدْ حَمَلَ حَجَراً عَلَى عَاتِقِهِ فَوَضَعَهُ فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ مِنْ حِيطَانِهِ وَ إِنَّ الْحَجَرَ لَفِي مَكَانِهِ وَ لَا يُدْرَى كَمْ عُمْقُهُ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ ث
“Once a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and said, ‘I am not good in working with my hands and I am not good in doing business, thus I am deprived and needy.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must work and carry it on your head and set yourself free from asking people for help. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensa
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ إِنِّي لَأَعْمَلُ فِي بَعْضِ ضِيَاعِي حَتَّى أَعْرَقَ وَ إِنَّ لِي مَنْ يَكْفِينِي لِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنِّي أَطْلُبُ الرِّزْقَ الْحَلَالَ.
“I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, T work in a certain site of my work to perspire, even though there are people who can do all the work instead of me but I work so Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, finds me striving to find lawful sustenance.’”
دَفَعَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سَبْعَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَ قَالَ يَا عُذَافِرُ اصْرِفْهَا فِي شَيْءٍ أَمَّا عَلَى ذَاكَ مَا بِي شَرَهٌ[3] وَ لَكِنْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ يَرَانِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مُتَعَرِّضاً لِفَوَائِدِهِ قَالَ عُذَافِرٌ فَرَبِحْتُ فِيهَا مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فِي الطَّوَافِ[4] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ رَزَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهَا مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ فَقَالَ أَثْبِتْهَا فِي رَأْس
“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), gave me seven hundred dinars and said, ‘O ‘Adha’fir you can spend it; I do not have any desire for it but I loved that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, finds me working for its profits.’ ‘Adha’fir has said, ‘I made one hundred dinar profit with it. During al- Tawaf I said to him, “I pra
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ قَالَ لَأَقْعُدَنَّ فِي بَيْتِي وَ لَأُصَلِّيَنَّ وَ لَأَصُومَنَّ وَ لَأَعْبُدَنَّ رَبِّي فَأَمَّا رِزْقِي فَسَيَأْتِينِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذَا أَحَدُ الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ.
“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that a man says, ‘I stay home, perform Salat (prayer), fast and worship my Lord. My sustenance will come to me. 5 Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘This is one of the three (classes of people) whose prayer is not answered.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ بَيْتَهُ وَ أَغْلَقَ بَابَهُ أَ كَانَ يَسْقُطُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Do you think the sustenance of a man who stays in his home and closes his door, keeps falling on him from the sky?”’
كُنَّا جُلُوساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ أَقْبَلَ الْعَلَاءُ بْنُ كَامِلٍ فَجَلَسَ قُدَّامَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي فِي دَعَةٍ[1] فَقَالَ لَا أَدْعُو لَكَ اطْلُبْ كَمَا أَمَرَكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when al-‘Ala’ ibn Kamil came in and sat in front of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked, ‘Please pray for me so Allah will make me affluent.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘I will not pray for you. Has Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, not commanded you to seek and
سَأَلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَصَابَتْهُ الْحَاجَةُ قَالَ فَمَا يَصْنَعُ الْيَوْمَ قِيلَ فِي الْبَيْتِ يَعْبُدُ رَبَّهُ قَالَ فَمِنْ أَيْنَ قُوتُهُ قِيلَ مِنْ عِنْدِ بَعْضِ إِخْوَانِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ اللَّهِ لَلَّذِي يَقُوتُهُ أَشَدُّ عِبَادَةً مِنْهُ.
‘He has become very needy.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘What is he doing today?’ It was said, ‘He is in his home worshipping his Lord.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘Wherefrom he receives for his living?’ It was said, ’It comes from a certain one of his brothers.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘By Allah, the one who pr
مَنْ طَلَبَ [الرِّزْقَ فِي] الدُّنْيَا اسْتِعْفَافاً عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ تَوْسِيعاً عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ تَعَطُّفاً عَلَى جَارِهِ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ وَجْهُهُ مِثْلُ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that one who works to earn his sustenance in this world so he would not need to spread his hands before people for help, to better the living conditions of his family and to show kindness to his neighbors will, on the Judgment Day, go before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, with his fac
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعِبَادَةُ سَبْعُونَ جُزْءاً أَفْضَلُهَا طَلَبُ الْحَلَالِ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Worship has seventy parts. The most excellent part in it is working to make lawful living.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هِشَامُ إِنْ رَأَيْتَ الصَّفَّيْنِ قَدِ الْتَقَيَا فَلَا تَدَعْ طَلَبَ الرِّزْقِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ[2].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, £ 0 Hisham, even if you find yourself in the two armies facing each other to fight, you must not neglect working for your sustenance on such day.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَقْرِءُوا مَنْ لَقِيتُمْ مِنْ أَصْحَابِكُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ إِنَ فُلَانَ بْنَ فُلَانٍ يُقْرِئُكُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَا يُنَالُ بِهِ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ مَا آمُرُكُمْ إِلَّا بِمَا نَأْمُرُ بِهِ أَنْفُسَنَا فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْجِدِّ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمُ الصُّبْحَ وَ انْصَرَفْتُمْ فَبَ
8. Ahmad ibn ‘ Abd Allah Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu ‘ Abd Allah from Safwan from Khalid ibn Najih who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Say Salam (greeting of peace) to whoever of your people you meet and say to them, “So and so son of so and so (the Imam) says Sal
قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ ظَنَنْتَ أَوْ بَلَغَكَ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ كَائِنٌ فِي غَدٍ[1] فَلَا تَدَعَنَّ طَلَبَ الرِّزْقِ وَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لَا تَكُونَ كَلًّا فَافْعَلْ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Even if you find enough reason to believe that this task (the rise of al-Qa’im with divine authority) will take place tomorrow, still you must not neglect work for a living. If you cannot complete the work do (what you can)”’
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ أَ يَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِثْلَ النَّمْلَةِ فَإِنَّ النَّمْلَةَ تَجُرُّ إِلَى جُحْرِهَا.
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Why should anyone among you be weaker than an ant which pulls (food) to its colony?”’
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْعُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِي فِي الرِّزْقِ فَقَدِ الْتَاثَتْ عَلَيَّ أُمُورِي[2] فَأَجَابَنِي مُسْرِعاً لَا اخْرُجْ فَاطْلُبْ.
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to pray for me for sustenance; my affairs are turning to the worse.’ He (the Imam) quickly said, ‘No, you must go out and work to make a living.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ شَيْءٍ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فَقَالَ إِذَا فَتَحْتَ بَابَكَ وَ بَسَطْتَ بِسَاطَكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ مَا عَلَيْكَ.
“I asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.), ‘What should a man do for work to make a living?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If you open your door and spread your merchandise, you then have done what you should have been doing.’”
قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَيَّ شَيْءٍ تُعَالِجُ أَيَّ شَيْءٍ تَصْنَعُ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَنَا فِي شَيْءٍ قَالَ فَخُذْ بَيْتاً وَ اكْنُسْ فِنَاهُ وَ رُشَّهُ وَ ابْسُطْ فِيهِ بِسَاطاً فَإِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ مَا وَجَبَ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ فَقَدِمْتُ فَفَعَلْتُ فَرُزِقْتُ.
Find a house, (a facility) broom its yards, sprinkle water around, spread the merchandise on it. In doing this you have done what should have been done.’ I (the narrator) followed his instruction and found sustenance.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ أَلَا إِنَّ الرُّوحَ الْأَمِينَ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي أَنَّهُ لَا تَمُوتُ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَ لَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ اسْتِبْطَاءُ شَيْءٍ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ أَنْ تَطْلُبُوهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَسَمَ الْأَرْزَاقَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ حَلَالًا وَ لَمْ يَ
‘The Messenger of Allah during his farewell Hajj said, ‘The trustworthy spirit has inspired my understanding that no soul dies before its sustenance is complete (depleted). You must maintain piety before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, be meticulous in your work to make a living. You must not allow procrastination
لَيْسَ مِنْ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهَا رِزْقَهَا حَلَالًا يَأْتِيهَا فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ عَرَضَ لَهَا بِالْحَرَامِ مِنْ وَجْهٍ آخَرَ فَإِنْ هِيَ تَنَاوَلَتْ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْحَرَامِ قَاصَّهَا بِهِ[2] مِنَ الْحَلَالِ الَّذِي فَرَضَ لَهَا وَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ سِوَاهُمَا فَضْلٌ كَثِيرٌ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ سْئَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ[3].
2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Ibrahim ibn abu al-Balad from his father who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘There is not a single soul whose sustenance Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has not assigned of the lawful kind and in good h