The Meaning of Zuhd (Asceticism)

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of restraint from worldly matters. He (the Imam) said, Tie upon you! It is (not difficult to understand) knowing what is unlawful so that you can avoid it.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zuhd (restraint from worldly matters) is not in wasting one’s belongings or making lawful things unlawful.’”

“I heard ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), saying, ‘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.’”