Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/167

Rh teach them; and their price is unlawful." And in (a tradition) similar to this it runs, "And, amongst men, the one who sells amusing stories."'—Aḥmad, Tirmidhí, Ibn Májah.

It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Maʿsúd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "It is an obligatory duty to seek to earn a lawful livelihood after (performing) one's religious duties."'—Al Baihaqi.

It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that he was asked about taking remuneration for writing the Qurʾán. He replied, 'There is no harm; they are only makers of pictures, and they only eat from the work of their hands.'—Razín.

It is related from Náfiʿ that he said, 'I used to send expeditions to Syria and to Egypt. Then I sent an expedition to ʿIráq. And I came to the Mother of the Faithful, ʿÁyesha, and said to her, "O Mother of the Faithful, I used to send expeditions to Syria, and I have (now) sent an expedition to ʿIráq." She replied, "Do not do so. What is wrong with thee and thy merchandise? For verily I heard the Apostle of God say, 'When God provides a means of livelihood for any one of you in a certain way, then let him not give it up until it becomes impossible to him.'"'—Aḥmad, Ibn Májah.

It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'Abú Bakr had a slave to whom he used to give a certain allowance of food; and Abú Bakr used to eat of his allowance. And he came on a certain day with some food and Abú Bakr ate of it. Then the slave said to him, "Dost thou know what this is?" Abú Bakr replied, "What is it?" He said, "In the times of ignorance I foretold the future for a man ; but I did not tell his fortune well, rather I deceived him. And he met me and gave me something ; and this is it of which thou hast eaten." (ʿÁyesha) said, "Then Abú Bakr put his finger down his throat, and vomited up everything that was in his stomach."'—Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Ḥudaifah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily there was a man of those who were before you: and the angel (of death) came to him to take his soul. And it was said to the man, 'Hast thou done any good thing?' He replied, 'I do not know.' It was said, 'Consider.' He replied, 'I do not know of anything, except that I used to