involvement in worldly affairs and struggle for lawful means of livelihood are not against Zuhd

472. Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action which, if I do Allah will love me and the people will also love me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Have no desire for this world, Allah will love you; and have no desire for what people possess, and the people will love you.”
[Ibn Majah]

Commentary: “Zuhd” (ascetism) does not mean renunciation of the world and obligations of life. What it really means is that one should be contented with what he possess and rid himself of greed. Islam neither permits renunciation of the world nor does it condemn genuine struggle to acquire wealth and riches. Therefore, involvement in worldly affairs and struggle for lawful means of livelihood are not against Zuhd. A person who is contented with the lawful means of income is a distinguished person as all his activities are exalted to the level of worship. Similarly, unconcern with the wealth and riches of others and ignoring them is a part of Zuhd and contentment. One additional advantage of it is that such a person wins the love and respect of the people because he who begs people, rather than Allah, has to suffer disgrace and is disliked by the people. The case of begging from Allah is just the opposite. The more a person begs Him, the more pleased He will be with him. In fact, He is displeased if someone does not beg Him. This has been exquisitely stated in an Arabic verse, the meaning of which is:

“Do not stretch your hands before anyone for your needs, but beg from Him (Allah) whose door is always open”.

“If a person does not beg Him (Allah), He is displeased, while if one begs someone He becomes furious”.

http://abdurrahman.org/2014/09/04/riyad-us-saliheen-imaam-nawawi-chapter-055/

478. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily! The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed, except remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and a learned man, and a learning person.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:
1. This Hadith does not mean that this world is totally condemned. What it really means is that such things of this world are cursed which take a person away from Allah and make him careless about his obedience. Thus, anything of this world can be good and evil. For instance, worldly goods are auspicious if one acquires them through lawful means and spends them in a permissible manner, otherwise, they are condemnable. Similar is the case of other things of this world.

2. That knowledge is good which brings one closer to Allah and is a source of benefit for mankind, otherwise, it is also condemnable.

3. This Hadith also brings into prominence the distinction of men of learning, especially scholars of religious disciplines.

479. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not crave for property lest you should be absorbed in the desire of worldly life.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

Commentary:  The word “Dai`ah” translated here as “property” means land, industry, agriculture or business. One should not be so engrossed in them to the extent that, they become the sole purpose of one’s life and all one’s efforts are exhausted to acquire them, thus forgetting all about the Hereafter. To the extent of one’s genuine needs and self-sufficiency, making and maintaining of property, land, industry, agriculture and commerce come in permissible acts. None of them is forbidden provided the means employed for making and maintaining them are fair and do not distract one’s attention from Allah and the Hereafter.

Insignificance of this world #27b:

1) Best provision is to eat from what you earn:

Profession of the Prophets: Dawood عليه السلام used to eat only from the earnings of his manual labor:

Narrated Al-Miqdaam رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝Nobody has ever eaten a better meal than that which one has earned (lawfully) by working with one's own hands. The Prophet of Allaah, Dawood عليه السلام used to eat from the earnings of his manual labor.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2072)]

In another narration the Prophet said: ❝And he (Dawood عليه السلام) would never eat except from the earnings of his manual work.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2073, 3417)]


Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said (paraphrased):
❝This Hadeeth encourages one to seek lawful earnings, and abiding by it through lawful means like smithery, carpentry, farming, or other than that which involves manual labor, working sincerely and honestly – this is lawful and the best earnings.❞