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…

“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“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘O Mu‘adh, have you become weak in doing business or have withdrawn thereof?’ I replied, ‘I have not become weak or withdrawn.’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…

“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…

“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…

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have quit doing business and have withdrawn thereof.’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…

“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.…

“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…