The Excellence of Doing Business and Giving It Proper Attention

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Quitting business reduces one’s power of reason.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Doing business increases one’s power of reason.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who seeks business becomes independent of people.’ I then asked, ‘Even if he has dependents?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, even if he has dependents; nine-tenth of sustenance is in business.’”

“I was present when Mu‘adh ibn Kathir said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have become affluent so I want to quit business.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you do so your power of reason will decrease’- or similar expression.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked, ‘What do you do?’ I replied, ‘I am not doing anything today.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is how your wealth goes away and it becomes difficult for you.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘O Mu‘adh, have you become weak in doing business or have withdrawn thereof?’ I replied, ‘I have not become weak or withdrawn.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What then is the matter?’ I replied, ‘We were waiting for a certain issue because when Walid was killed, I had a great deal of goods which was in my possession; and I did not owe anything to anyone and did not think I can finish it before my death.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘So you have quitted business, but quitting business takes away one’s power of reason. Strive for the sake of your dependents and never give them a chance to complain against you.’”

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), would say to Musadif, ‘Proceed toward your honor, meaning thereby place of business, the market place.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked about a man, when I was present, ‘What is holding him back from performing Hajj?’ It was said, ’He has quit business and his wealth is reduced.’ He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) was leaning and he moved to a straight sitting position, and said, to them, ‘You must not quit doing business to become humiliated. Do business, I pray to Allah to grant you blessings.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Engage yourselves in business; it helps you become independent of what is in the hands of people.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I am thinking to quit doing business in market place while there is a certain amount of wealth in my hands.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Then your opinion becomes of no value and no one will seek help from you.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have quit doing business and have withdrawn thereof.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Why is that, are you helpless? This is how your wealth goes away. You must not quit doing business. You must continue to seek favors from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

“Burayd al-Ajliy wanted to get married. Burayd said, to Muhammad, ‘Ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what I plan to do. I want to return people’s properties left with me for safe-keeping and it keeps me involved. Thereafter I like to stay away from worldly things and return everyone’s things that belong to them. He (the narrator) has said, ‘Muhammad asked Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about it, informed him of the story, and asked about his decision.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Does he want to start a fight against his own soul? He must not do so. Instead, he must give and take for the sake of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

“Abu al-Khattab (meaning Muhammad ibn Miqlas al-Asadiy al-Kufiy) before destroying his belief would present the legal questions of the members of the community before the Imam and bring back the answers. He has narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), the following: ‘You should purchase goods even if prices are high; sustenance comes by means of buying.’”