172. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Certainly, seeking a lawful livelihood does not prevent [man] from working for the Hereafter.”1
173. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his letter to his son Hasan (a.s.): “Do not leave out what is lawful and agreeable, since the necessities of life must be met; and what is destined for you will reach you.”2
174. Imām Ali (a.s.): “A believer has three time periods [in life]: The period when he is in communion with God, the period when he manages for his livelihood and [thirdly] the period when he is free to enjoy what is lawful and pleasant. A wise person should not spend his time other than for three reasons: For the purpose of earning a living, or pursuing something for the next life or for enjoying what is not prohibited.”3
175. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah –in the report about the benefactions of the Commander of the Faithful: “He used to work with his hands, cultivate the land, plant palm trees and would do all these by himself.”4
See: The Encyclopedia of Amir al-Mu'minin: (Bringing Together Worship and Work). Ibid., (Ali’s (a.s.) benefactions).
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City Developments
176. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his instructions to Mālik al-Ashtar: “This is what Ali, the servant of God and Commander of the Faithful
charged Mālik al-Ashtar in his instructions to him when he appointed him governor of Egypt: to collect its land tax, to struggle against its enemies, to improve the condition of the people and to engender prosperity in its cities [regions].”5
1.. al-Amāli, Mufid, p.۱۱۹, h ۳ Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۷, p. ۴۲۲, h. ۴۱.
2.. Kanz al-`Ummāl, vol. ۱۶, p. ۱۷۷, h. ۴۴۲۱۵.
3.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Aphorism ۳۹۰, Tuhaf al-`Uqul, p. ۲۰۳, al-Amāli by al-Tusi, p. ۱۴۷, h. ۲۴۰
4.. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۱۵, p. ۱۴۷.
5.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۵۳, Tuhaf al-`Uqul, p. ۱۲۶.
