Jurisprudence and Rulings

A hadith from Imam al-Kazim (AS) states that buying wheat increases one’s wealth, buying flour halves it, and buying bread causes it to be lost. The hadith points to the health, economic, spiritual, and psychological dimensions of buying each of these items, and locates blessing in preserving the integrity of food, self-sufficiency, and a spiritual connection with the Creator.

There is nothing wrong with turning to others for help with our ordinary worldly needs, provided we understand that they are means through which things come about and are themselves in need of God. Asking them for help must not become worship or supplication; we should recognise the limits of their abilities and not regard them as healers in their own right.