All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. A group of people have adopted this view expressed by Abū Hāmid. However, the imams of the Muslims and the majority of Muslims hold the contrary view: earning a livelihood may be obligatory, recommended, disliked, permissible, or forbidden. It is therefore impermissible to state categorically that none of it is obligatory, just as it is impermissible to state categorically that none of it is forbidden. The means that the servant is commanded to pursue, whether as an obligation or a recommendation, consist in worshipping Allah and obeying Him and His Messenger. Allah has obliged His servants to worship Him and rely upon Him.

As He, Most High, says:

“So worship Him and rely upon Him.”

And He says:

“Remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself wholeheartedly to Him.”

“Lord of the east and the west; there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, so take Him as your Guardian.”

And He says:

“Whoever fears Allah, He will make a way out for him.”

“And provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah, He is sufficient for him.”

Fearing Allah encompasses doing what Allah has commanded and refraining from what He has forbidden.

It is related from Abū Dharr that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“O Abū Dharr, if all people acted upon this verse, it would suffice them.”

For this reason, one of the early generations said, “No God-fearing person has ever been in need.” He meant that Allah has guaranteed those who fear Him a way out of the difficulties that beset people, and provision from where they do not expect. Thus, He wards off what harms them and brings them what they need.

If this does not happen, it indicates a deficiency in one’s fear of Allah; one should therefore seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him. Hence, in the hadith traced back to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and narrated by al-Tirmidhī, he said:

“Whoever