Some lovely quotes from Al Kafi advising us that our hope from unexpected sources should be even greater than that of expected sources.
H 8367, Ch. 8, h 1 Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub al-Khazzaz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, disdains to provide sustenance for a believing person from any source other than an unexpected source.”
H 8368, Ch. 8, h 2 Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Jamilah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘Your hope for help from an unexpected source should be greater than an expected source. Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam, went to find fire for his family and came back as a prophet commissioned to preach.’”
H 8369, Ch. 8, h 3 A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasaniy from the one whom he has mentioned from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from abu ‘Abd Allah from his father, from his grandfather ‘Alayhi alSalam, who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Your hope for help from an unexpected source should be greater than an expected source. Musa (Moses) ‘Alayhi al-Salam went to find fire for his family, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, spoke to him and he came back as a messenger prophet. Queen of Sheba’ (Saba’) went out and became a Muslim with Sulayman (Solomon). The magician went out to defend Pharaoh’s majesty then returned as believing people.’”
H 8370, Ch. 8, h 4 It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) from Safwan from Muhammad ibn abu al-Haz Haz from Ali ibn al-Sariy who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made the sustenance of the believing people to come unexpectedly; when a servant (of Allah) does not know wherefrom his sustenance comes, he prays a great deal.’”
H 8371, Ch. 8, h 5 It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Harun ibn Hamzah from Ali ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once asked me, ‘What has ‘Umar ibn Muslim done?’ I replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘he has devoted himself in worship and has given up doing any business.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Fie upon him! Does he not know that the prayer of one who neglects work to make a living is not answered? A people of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, when this was revealed, “Those who maintain piety before Allah, He makes a way out for them and provides them sustenance from unexpected sources” (65:3), closed their doors and begun to worship. They said, “We have found what we needed.” This was reported to the Holy Prophet who called them in his presence and asked, “What made you do what you had been doing?” They replied, O Messenger of Allah, you guaranteed our sustenance, and thus, we devoted ourselves in worship.” He said, “Whoever does this his prayer is not answered. You must work for your living.”’”