A curious story told about some of the Sufis regarding the matter of sustenance.

The Shaykh : Among the anecdotes and curiosities told on the occasion of those Sufis who claim to have complete reliance upon Allah and who go out wandering in the deserts and wastelands without provisions, it is said that one of these ascetics went out without any provisions. While on his way, he saw from a distance a lion entering a ruined place. He circled around and climbed a mountain, or a high place, or a tree from which he could overlook that ruin to see what that lion was doing after entering the ruin. He saw something astonishing: he saw a blind, lame dog in the ruin, and he saw the lion that had entered the place carrying a piece of meat in its mouth, offering this piece to that lame dog. When he saw this scene, he seemed pleased with it, and he claimed in his heart that it was a proof for his going out without provisions. He said to himself: "This is Allah providing sustenance to the dog through the lion, so will He not provide sustenance to me, when I have gone out in His cause, in His worship?" They said—or claimed—that he heard a voice calling to him: "Be a lion, and do not be a dog," meaning, be one who eats and do not be one who is fed. This is more honorable for you. It is more honorable for you to be a lion that strives for sustenance, feeding yourself and feeding others. This is better for you than being like that lame, blind dog that cannot move. You are setting a bad example for yourself and accepting for yourself to be a dog. No, be a lion and do not be a dog.
Thus, His saying—Blessed and Exalted is He—in this Holy Hadith: , is one of many proofs for the obligation of taking the means that lead to results. Food requires striving, and part of striving for it is asking for it from your Lord, who facilitates the path to it.