Chapter on Livelihoods, Earnings, Profits, and Professions

Al-Walid ibn Sabih narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that he said: "Three people make supplications, but their prayers are not answered"-or he said: "their prayers are returned to them": A man who had a large amount of wealth, reaching thirty thousand or forty thousand, and spent it without careful consideration. Then he says, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, provide for me.' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says, 'Did I not provide for you?' A man who refrains from seeking sustenance and says, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, provide for me.' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says, 'Did I not make a way for you to seek provision?' A man who had a wife and prays, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, separate me from her.' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, says, 'Did I not give you the authority to handle this matter yourself?'"