Earning a Living

The value of right action Umar once said that at night he had read a certain verse from the Qur’an and had been unable to sleep for the rest of the night. From the chapter, ‘The Cow,’ the verse read: “Would anyone of you like to have a garden of palm trees and vines. ... (2:266)” Umar asked those around him the meaning of this verse, and while some suggested that it was a parable relating only to palm-trees and vines, others said that its meaning was a mystery known only to God. Abdullah ibn Masud, one of those present at the time, was heard to say something, but shyness prevented him from raising his voice. “Speak up, nephew,” said Umar, to encourage him, and urged him to have the courage of his convictions. Abdullah ibn Masud then said that the verse was about actions. “In what way?” asked Umar. “It was just something which came to mind,” said Abdullah ibn Masud, “and I said it.” “Nephew, you have spoken the truth.” replied Umar, “for the verse is about actions. A man has greatest need of his orchard when he has grown old; man will have the greatest need of his good deeds when he is raised from the dead.” (IBN KATHIR, TAFSIR)