Reference: Saheeh al-Jaami’ lil-Albaanee, no.1428
Some of the companions saw a strong young man racing to his job, and they remarked: ‘If only [he was rushing] in the Path of Allaah…’, then the Prophet ﷺ responded to them, saying:
«Don’t say this; verily if he leaves [home] striving for his small child, then it is in the Path of Allaah.
And if he leaves [home] striving for his elderly parents, then it is in the Path of Allaah.
And if he leaves [home] striving for self sufficiency, working so as not to ask others, then it is in the Path of Allaah.
And if he leaves [home] to show off, and with arrogance, then it is in the Path of Shaytaan.»
