Sufyan al-Thawri stopped by the Holy Shrine, Kabah, and saw Imam Abu Abdullah who wore valuable and beautiful clothes. He said: “I swear by Allah that I’ll go to him and upbraid him.”
Then he came close to him and said: “O son of the Prophet! The Messenger of Allah did not wear such clothes, nor did Ali or any of your fathers.” Abu Abdullah said: “The Prophet was in an era that poverty was prevalent and he had to deal with that poverty. The world after that era has seen many progresses.”
Then he recited the following verse from the statement of the Almighty Allah: “Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance?” He also added: “We are among the most worthiest people to get use of what Allah granted.”
Ibn al-Ghadah narrated, saying: “Abu Abdullah was leaning on me when meeting Abadah ibn Kathir who said: ‘O Abu Abdullah! You are from the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet, so how could you wear such valuable clothes?’
Abu Abdullah said: ‘O Abadah! ‘Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance?’ If Allah the Almighty and Majestic, granted things to His men, he wants to see their effects on them and not to see them suffering.’”
THE LIFE OF IMAM JAF’AR AL-SADIQ (AS) – BAQIR SHARIF AL-QURASHI