It is authentically reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Son of Adam, spending your surplus is better for you, while withholding it is worse for you. There is no blame in retaining enough to meet your needs. The upper hand is better than the lower hand.”

Another authentic hadith states:

“Allah’s hand is the highest; the giver’s hand comes next, and the beggar’s hand is the lowest.”

Some people claim that the hand of the beggar who receives is the upper hand, because charity falls into the hand of the True One. This contradicts the explicit statement of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that Allah’s hand is the highest, the giver’s hand comes next, and the beggar’s hand is the lowest.

As for someone saying, “Allah has given an unconditional guarantee,” the response is: This does not negate the obligation to pursue the means as required. What He has guaranteed includes the provision of children, animals, and wives. Nevertheless, by the consensus of the Muslims, a man must provide for his children, his animals, and his wife. Providing for himself is an even greater obligation upon him.

As for someone asking, “How can a person seek something when he does not know where it is?” the answer is: He pursues the means he has been commanded to pursue and relies upon Allah concerning what lies beyond his ability. He is like someone who ploughs the earth and sows the seed, then relies upon Allah to send down rain, make the crops grow, and ward off harmful things. Likewise, the merchant’s ability extends only to obtaining merchandise and transporting it. But as for desire for it being instilled in a prospective buyer’s heart and his paying a price that yields a profit, this