Hawzah News Agency | Imam Sajjad, peace be upon him, humbly supplicates to Almighty God in Sahifa Sajjadiyyah as follows:
«وَ اجْعَلْ مَا صَرَّحْتَ بِهِ مِنْ عِدَتِکَ فِی وَحْیِکَ وَ أَتْبَعْتَهُ مِنْ قَسَمِکَ فِی کِتَابِکَ قَاطِعاً لاِهْتِمَامِنَا بِالرِّزْقِ الَّذِی تَکَفَّلْتَ بِهِ.»
“O God! Let the promise You have explicitly mentioned in Your revelation (Waḥy) and sworn to in the Quran cause our hearts to cease being preoccupied with the sustenance You have guaranteed for us.” (Supplication no. 29)
Explanation:
On the topic of "sustenance and livelihood" numerous narrations emphasize the necessity for everyone to refer to such teachings. These teachings reshape our understanding of earning a living, striving for financial gain, and achieving material possessions, helping us maintain balance.
The first point to consider regarding sustenance is recognizing that no one has the power to alter the course of our provision. In other words, if sustenance is destined to reach us, no one can prevent it. Conversely, if it is not meant for us, no one can deliver it to us.
Merely contemplating this truth can free a person from anxiety and fear about earning a livelihood, filling their heart with tranquility. As our noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, states:
«إنّ الرِّزقَ لا یَجُرُّهُ حِرصُ حَریصٍ و لا یَصرِفُهُ کَراهِیَةُ کارِهٍ.»
"Neither the greed of the greedy draws sustenance closer to them, nor does the dislike of anyone push it away from them." (Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 68)
Another critical point, often overlooked, is that all verses and narrations guaranteeing livelihood aim to facilitate the path of servitude to God. The pursuit of income can become a source of anxiety and concern, consuming one's focus and distracting them from their ultimate purpose and goal (= proximity to God).
Unfortunately, efforts to earn a livelihood for one’s family have, in some cases, overshadowed individuals’ religious obligations. This has distanced them from essential acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, khums (Islamic tax) and other religious duties.
However, when we are assured that sustenance is guaranteed, and that greed, ambition, or obstacles have no real impact on whether we receive it, even by the slightest measure, it is only fitting that we never allow the pursuit of sustenance to pull us away from our obligations, not even for a moment.
Imam al-Askari, peace be upon him, warns about this, saying:
«لا یَشغَلْکَ رِزقٌ مَضمونٌ عن عَمَلٍ مَفروضٍ.»
"Do not let the pursuit of guaranteed sustenance distract you from fulfilling your obligatory duties (towards God)." (Tuhaf al-Oqul, v. 1, p. 489)
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