ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Elixir of Love Occupation Tailoring is one of the praiseworthy professions in Islam. "Luqman the Sage" had chosen this as his occupation[^1]. It is quoted from the Holy Prophet (s) who said: عمل الابرار من الرجال الخياطة، وعمل الأبرار من النساء الغزل "The job of the righteous men is tailoring and the job of the pious women is spinning."[^2] The reverend Shaykh had chosen this job as a means of livelihood.

Hence, he was known as Shaykh Rajab Ali Khayyat (the tailor). Interestingly, his simple small house, as described before, was his tailoring workshop, too. In this respect one of his children says: 'At first, my father had a room in a Caravanserai, where he pursued his tailoring profession. One day the landlord came to him and asked him to leave the place.

The next day and without any arguing or demanding any due rights, my father packed up his sewing machine and sewing table, brought them home, and gave the room back to the landlord. Ever since, he worked at home in a room near the entrance as his tailoring workshop. Perseverance in his Work The reverend Shaykh was extremely serious and persevering in his work. He worked hard to the last days of his life to earn his living through his own endeavors.

Although his devotees were whole- heartedly ready to provide for his simple livelihood, he would never accept.

The Holy Prophet (s) said in a Hadith: من أكل من كد يده، كان يوم القيامة في عداد الأنبياء ويأخذ ثواب الأنبياء "Whoever earns one's own living, they will be ranked among the Prophets and rewarded as Prophets."[^3] And in another hadith, he said: العبادة عشر أجزاءٍ تسعة أجزاء في طلب الحلال " Divine worship has ten parts, nine of which comprises earning lawful daily sustenance."[^4] One of Shaykh's friends says: I never forget the day I saw the reverend Shaykh in the market who was pale in the countenance out of fatigue.

He was going home carrying some tailoring tools and material that he had bought. I told him: 'Agha have some rest, you are not feeling well.' He replied: "What should I do with the wife and the children then?!" The Holy Prophet (s) is quoted as saying: ان الله تعالى يحب أن يرى عبده تعباً في طلب الحلال "God likes to see his servant tired out in the way of earning his lawful sustenance." [^5] ملعون ملعون من ضيع من يعول "Cursed is the one, cursed is the one who does not provide for his family's sustenance."[^6] Equity in Receiving Wages The Shaykh received very equitable wages for sewing clothes.