Hasan ibn Abu al-Hasan al-Basri who said:
When Amirul Mu’mineen ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, entered Basra, he passed by me while I was doing Wudhoo. He said: “O Young man, do your Wudhoo well, so that Allah may reward you best.”
Then he proceeded and I followed his wake. At one time, his attention was diverted to me so he asked: “Young man, do you need anything from me?” I said: “Yes, teach me a word of wisdom, so that Allah may grant me its benefit.” He said: “Whoever confirms Allah’s Truth is saved; and whoever fears Him in matters of his faith, is secured from being punished. And whoever contents himself with the least of this world, his eyes will be delighted to behold the rewards of Allah, Most High.”
‘May I tell you more, young man?” I said: “Yes O, Amirul Mu’mineen.”
He said: “Whoever has three traits, his fate is secured here and hereafter. He who enjoins good and also follows it; forbids evil and also refrains from it, and does not transgress the limits ordained by Allah.
O, young man! Does it please you to meet your Maker, when He is pleased with you?” I said: “Of course, yes, O Amirul Mu’mineen!” He said: “In this world, be content with the least and be desirous of the next world. And you must be truthful in all your affairs, for Allah has ordained for you and all that He has created to worship Him by Truth.”
Then he walked away, till he entered the market of Basra. And he saw people busily engaged in buying and selling. He cried bitterly and then proclaimed:
“O, slaves of this world! O, labourers of its people! If you remain busy swearing during the day time and sleeping in your beds during the night; and during that time you are totally oblivious to the next world, then when will you prepare the provision (for the journey to the next world) and think about the Day of Return (unto Allah)?”
So, one of them said: “O Amirul Mu’mineen! We have to work for our living. What else should we do?” Amirul Mu’mineen said: “To seek one’s living by legitimate ways does not make you heedless of the next world! But if you say: We must hoard and monopolize, then you cannot be excused.” The man turned his face weeping.
Amirul Mu’mineen, peace be upon him, told him to come closer so that he would tell him more. He came forth, so ‘Ali, peace be upon him, said: “O servant of Allah! Indeed, everyone who works here for the hereafter will be amply rewarded in the next world. And he who uses his other worldliness for earning this world, he will earn hell fire in exchange.” Then Amirul Mu’mineen recited the following verses:
‘Then as for him who was insolent; And preferred the life of this world; Surely, Hell shall be the abode for him.'(al-Naziaat, 79: 37-39)