Then he recited these words of Him...

Then he recited these words of Him, the Exalted: When the great event comes to pass (i.e., resurrection), there is no belying its cominglowering (the enemies of Allah to the Fire), exalting (the friends of Allah to the Garden).” Then the Imam, peace be on him, preached to a man: “Fear Allah, be moderate in request, seek not that which is not created, for he who seeks that which is not created is out of breath, but does not attain what he seeks.

How can he attain that which is not created?” The man hurried to say: “How can he attain that which is not created?” The Imam, peace be on him, answered: “By seeking riches, possessions, and ease in the world in order to take rest therein. Rest has not been created in the world, nor has it been created for its inhabitants. Rather rest has been created in the Garden. Tiredness and toil have been created in the world and for its inhabitants.

When one is given a handful of it (the world), he is given a similar (handful) of greediness. Whoever earns a greater (share) of the world is still in need of it, for he is need of the people to keep his possessions and is in need of every mediation of the world.

Hence there is no rest in the riches of the world, but it is Satan who whispers to the son of Adam that there is rest in collecting possessions hence he drives him to tiredness in the world and reckoning will be against him in the next world.” The Imam added: “The friends of Allah do not tire themselves in the world for the world; rather they tire themselves in the world for the next world. Truly, he who takes care of his livelihood, it is written against him that he must preserve it.

Such Jesus Christ, peace be on him, said to his disciples: ‘The world is a mere bridge, hence pass over it and do not build it.’[^3]” In this sermon there is a summons to renouncing this world and moderation in seeking it, for attaining rest is the reason for striving for material things, but there is no rest in the world. This is because there are many cares and a lot of pain in it. Rest has been created in the Garden which Allah has prepared for His pious servants.

Therefore, one must seek the next world, not this world. A person asked Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him: “What about you, son of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family?” He, peace be on him, replied: “Eight demands me: Allah demands my religious duties. The Prophet demands me (to follow) the Sunna . The family demands me (to prepare) nourishment.