He was thinking about his difficult past. He recalled the bitter and painful days he had gone through, the days when he was unable to provide food for his wife and innocent children. He thought to himself how a single, short sentence — just one sentence — that had struck his ear three times, had given him strength and changed the course of his life, saving him and his family from the poverty and misery they had been trapped in.
He was one of the companions of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him). Poverty and hardship had overtaken him. One day, feeling that things had gotten unbearable, he decided, with his wife’s suggestion, to go to the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) to explain his situation and ask for financial help.
With this intention, he went, but before he could ask for help, he heard the following sentence from the Messenger of God (peace be upon him): “Whoever asks us for help, we will help him, but if someone shows self-sufficiency and does not extend his hand to any creature, God will make him self-sufficient.” That day, he said nothing and returned home. But he still faced the terrifying monster of poverty that loomed over his house. So, the next day, with the same intention, he went to the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) again.
Once again, he heard the same sentence from the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever asks us for help, we will help him, but if someone shows self-sufficiency, God will make him self-sufficient.” Again, he returned home without speaking. But since he still saw himself weak, impoverished, and helpless in the grasp of poverty, he decided to go for the third time with the same intention.
This time, when he heard the sentence again, he felt more assurance in his heart. He felt that he had found the key to his problem in this sentence. As he left, he walked with more confidence. He thought to himself, “I will never ask anyone for help again. I will rely on God and use the talents and abilities He has entrusted to me. I will ask Him to make me successful in what I undertake and make me self-sufficient.” He then thought, “What can I do?” It seemed to him that for now, what he could do was go to the desert, gather firewood, and sell it.
He borrowed an axe, went to the desert, gathered firewood, and sold it. The sweetness of earning through his own effort was delightful. He continued this work on other days, gradually being able to buy his own axe, horse, and other tools. He kept going and eventually became self-sufficient. One day, the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) met him and, smiling, said, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whoever asks us for help, we will help him, but if someone shows self-sufficiency, God will make him self-sufficient?’”
God has determined a specific provision for each of His creatures, and He has not left anyone to fend for themselves. The provision of each person in this world is not only the food and clothing for their body, but also everything they have been given — their physical and mental abilities, intelligence, talents, parents, wealth, beauty, health, and so on — all of these are part of their provision. So, anyone who uses the blessings God has given them properly and is grateful and content with them will move toward salvation. Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) also said: “Whoever is content with God’s little provision, God will be pleased with his little action.” What greater salvation could there be than for God to be pleased with someone?[1]
(Excerpt from the book Dasatan-e-Rastan by Martyr Morteza Motahhari, with slight edits)
Footnote:
[1] (Usul al-Kafi, Volume 3, Book of Faith and Disbelief, Chapter on Contentment)