Chapter on Trade, Its Etiquettes, Virtues, and Jurisprudence

Harun ibn Hamzah narrated from Ali ibn Abdul Aziz who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام asked: "What has Umar ibn Muslim done?" I said: "May I be your ransom! He has devoted himself to worship and abandoned trade." Imam عليه السلام said: "Woe to him! Does he not know that the one who abandons seeking sustenance will not have his supplication answered? Indeed, some of the companions of the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family), when the verse was revealed; 'And whoever fears Allah سبحانه وتعالى, He will make a way out for him, and provide for him from where he does not expect' (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3), they locked their doors and devoted themselves to worship, saying, 'We have been guaranteed provision.' When the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) heard about this, he sent for them and said: 'What led you to do what you have done?' They said: 'O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Exalted, has guaranteed our provision, so we have devoted ourselves to worship.' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'Whoever does this, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will not answer his supplication. You must continue seeking sustenance.' Then Imam عليه السلام said: 'I hate a man who sits idle, opening his mouth to his Lord عز وجل, saying, "Provide for me," while he abandons seeking sustenance.'"