“I had been pondering on who the successor of Imam Zain al-Abidin, Sajjad (PBUH), would be, until I met his son, Muhammad ibn Ali (PBUH). He gave me an advice that assured me that he is the next successor.”
Surprised, his audience asked to know what advice Imam Baqir (PBUH) had given him.
Muhammad ibn Munkadir replied, “On a hot afternoon, I had gone to one of the districts of Medina. There, I saw Muhammad ibn Ali (PBUH) busy working on the farm. I thought to myself how such a respected person from the tribe of Quraish is wasting his energy on gaining worldly goods at this hour. I went toward him to give him some advice.
I greeted him. He looked exhausted and sweat was pouring from him. Yet, he replied my greetings cheerfully. I said, “May Allah guide you! A great man from Quraish working at such hour for worldly gains! What if your death comes at this hour?”
Imam Baqir (PBUH) replied, “By Allah, if death finds me in such a state, it has found me at the state of worship, leaving me needless of you and all others. What I do fear is for death to find me at a time where I am disobeying Allah.”
I said, “May Allah bless you! I came to give you advice, but instead you enlightened me.”
Imam Baqir (PBUH) could have hired other people to do his farming, but instead he desired to make his own living, and not depend on others for help. He therefore worked hard in his farm and identified his hard work as worship.
Indeed, there is a difference between working only to gain worldly goods and wealth, and working hard to receive a legitimate salary in the way of Allah (SWT).
(Selection taken from “Guiders on the Path of Light, Life of Imam Baqir (PBUH)” by Ayatullah Mudarresi, with minor changes)
According to our leaders, the manifestation of piety and faith is the correct application of the worldly blessing and not without building all the hopes for this life. If you would like to read more about this matter you may refer to the question entitled “Seeking This World VS. Seeking the Hereafter” on the Question and Answer section of our website.
Roshd Website pays its condolences to all on the 7th of Dhil-Hijjah the martyrdom of the fifth divine star, the chosen representative, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqir (PBUH), to you and all Muslims around the world.