engaged in trade, while the Helpers were predominantly engaged in agriculture. He said to both groups:

“Spend from the good things you have earned and from what We have brought forth for you from the earth.”

He thus mentioned zakat on trade and zakat on what comes out of the earth, which is one-tenth, half a tenth, or a quarter of a tenth.

Some of those who follow the path to Allah can earn a living while fulfilling those duties. When Allah Most High commanded them to pray at night, He said:

“He knows that some of you will be ill, others travelling through the land seeking Allah’s bounty, and others fighting in Allah’s cause.”

He thus divided the Muslims into four groups: those devoted to the Quran, knowledge, and worship; those travelling through the land seeking Allah’s bounty; those striving in Allah’s cause; and, fourth, those who are excused.

As for the claim, “Nourishment and sustenance are acts of Allah and therefore cannot be sought, just like life,” this is not so. Rather, whatever Allah brings about through causes can be sought by pursuing those causes. The same applies to life and death: death can be sought or averted through the causes Allah has decreed. If we wish an enemy of Allah to die, we seek to kill him; and if we wish to avert death from the believers, we avert it through the means Allah has prescribed. Allah Most High said concerning David, peace be upon him:

“We taught him the craft of making armour for you to protect you in battle.”

And Allah Most High said:

“Garments that protect you from the heat, and garments that protect you in battle.”

And Allah Most High said:

“Let them pray with you, taking their precautions and carrying their weapons.”

Likewise, shielding us from heat and cold is an act of Allah—hence clothing and earning a living—just as warding off hunger and thirst is an act of Allah through food and drink.