WORK NOT ONLY FOR THIS WORLD BUT ALSO FOR THE HEREAFTER

Once Amirul Momineen (a.s.) entered the Kufa market. Looking around he found that everyone was busy in buying and selling. He wept profusely and said, “O slaves of the world! O those who work only for it! You spend your day in trade and business and your night in sleep. You neglect the Hereafter due to your business and sleep. When will you get time to gather provisions for the Hereafter? When will you think over your Hereafter?”  A man said, “O Amirul Momineen (a.s.)! We are obliged to earn money for our living. What else can we do?” The Amir replied, “Seeking livelihood through permissible means does not come in the way of the Hereafter. But if you say that we are obliged to gather money, then you have no excuse.” That man began to weep and ran away.  The Amir said, “Come back so that I may explain the matter further.” When he returned the Amir said, “O Slave of God! Be aware that one who works for Hereafter in this world will surely get its reward in the Hereafter and one who works in this world only for this world will get its reward in the form of Hellfire.” Then he recited this verse. So one who prefers only this world for himself will have his abode in hell.[450]