In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

The Value of Working

The sayings and tradition of our Imams (PBUT) declare that each and every person, regardless of his rank or position, has to endeavor and work for his living; no one should rely on the wealth and properties of other people. Moreover, the Imams (PBUT) teach us that no one should have expectations from others in terms of fulfilling his needs.

For example, Ali ibn Hamzah has narrated that:

I saw Imam Hadi (PBUH) working on a farm and his body was wet with sweats. I said to him, ”May I sacrifice my life for you! Where are the workers?”

Imam Hadi (PBUH) replied, ”O Ali! Someone who is better than me and my father has worked with his shovel on a farm…”

I asked,” Who?”

Imam Hadi (PBUH) said, ”The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH), and all my forefathers have worked with their hands. Doing physical works is the tradition of the Prophets, the messengers, and their righteous successors… ⁽¹⁾”

This saying of Imam Hadi (PBUH) is absolutely in agreement with the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP): ”Whoever puts the weight of his life on the shoulders of the society (depends on the people for his needs) is far from the mercy of Allah (SWT)⁽²⁾”.

Knowing that the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), who in the eyes of the Shiites are the best human beings of all time in all aspects, especially from the spiritual and moral perspectives, used to work so hard to earn living for themselves and their families, how should we be in this matter? Indeed, every Muslim person has to work for his living, so that if he does not ease burden of the society, at least he would not be a burden on it.

(The above is a selection from “Kafi” vol. 5, by Shaykh Kulayni (with some additions))

The Roshd Website offers condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon 3^rd of Rajab, the anniversary of the martyrdom of the tenth Divine appointed successor and guide, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi (PBUH).

Roshd Islamic Shia Website

Footnotes:

1. Kafi, vol. 5, pp. 75-76

2. Kafi, vol. 4, p 13 & vol. 5, p. 72