عمر بن مسلم القسري

about the Qaim: “The allegiance of Imam Qaim (a.s) will be given between Rukn and Maqam by three hundred and thirteen persons equal to the fighters of the Battle of Badr. Some nobles of Egypt, leaders of Syria and good persons from Iraq will also be included among them and they will set out from there when the Almighty Allah wants.”

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) asked us about ‘Umar ibn Muslim and about what he has done. I replied, ‘He is a virtuous man but has given up doing business works.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said three times: It is the work of Satan. Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once bought a caravan that had come from al-Sham (Syria) in which he saved enough money to pay off his debts and distributed the extra among his relatives? Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “There are men who are not distracted by selling and buying from speaking of Allah. . . .” (24:36) Story tellers say, “These people (mentioned in this verse) did not involve themselves in trading and in business works.” These story tellers speak lies. The fact is that those people did not perform Salat (prayer) in (more virtuous) times and such people are more virtuous than those who attend Salat (prayer) and ignore trade and business work.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘What has ‘Umar ibn Muslim done?’ I replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘he has devoted himself in worship and has given up doing any business.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Fie upon him! Does he not know that the prayer of one who neglects work to make a living is not answered? A people of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, when this was revealed, “Those who maintain piety before Allah, He makes a way out for them and provides them sustenance from unexpected sources” (66:7), closed their doors and begun to worship. They said, “We have found what we needed.” This was reported to the Holy Prophet who called them in his presence and asked, “What made you do what you had been doing?” They replied, O Messenger of Allah, you guaranteed our sustenance, and thus, we devoted ourselves in worship.” He said, “Whoever does this his prayer is not answered. You must work for your living.’””

Abu Abdillah (as) asked: "What has Umar ibn Muslim done?" I said: "May I be your ransom! He has devoted himself to worship and abandoned trade." Imam (as) 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 (swt) (peace be upon him and his family), when the verse was revealed; 'And whoever fears Allah (swt), 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 (swt) (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 (swt), Allah (swt), the Mighty and Exalted, has guaranteed our provision, so we have devoted ourselves to worship.' He (sw) said: 'Whoever does this, Allah (swt) will not answer his supplication. You must continue seeking sustenance.' Then Imam (as) said: 'I hate a man who sits idle, opening his mouth to his Lord (azj), saying, "Provide for me," while he abandons seeking sustenance.'"

“The rule of Bani so-and-so will continue till a fixed time. When they get peace and security they will think that their kingdom will never decline. Meanwhile, suddenly a divine command will arrive and no king will be able to remain in power. Thus the Almighty Allah says: “…until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed-produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.” (10:24) The narrator says: I said: May I be your ransom, is some time fixed for the arrival of divine command? He replied: No, because the knowledge of Allah dominates the knowledge of those who fix the time. The Almighty Allah promised thirty nights to Prophet Musa (a.s) and then increased ten nights; but neither Prophet Musa (a.s) was aware of it, nor Bani Israel. Thus when the time expired, they said that Prophet Musa (a.s) has deceived us; and began to worship the calf. Hence, when famine and deprivation increases and people begin to deny each other, you should expect the arrival of divine command day and night.”