The benefits derived from the saying of the Exalted: “Men, whom neither trade nor sale diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the establishment of prayer and the giving of zakah. They fear a day…”

It also contains evidence that the stronger the distraction is, and the more a person does not turn away from it, the more perfect he is compared to one who has no such distraction. From where…?
The student: ...

The Shaykh : For example, if these men did not know trade or were unable to trade, we would say that their resorting to the houses of Allah is out of necessity, meaning so that they can pass their time and amuse themselves. But they are people who have trade, which is a distraction from the remembrance of Allah in the mosques, yet despite that, it does not divert them.
It also contains evidence of the permissibility of trade. The proof is that it affirms that they trade… and this was praised. If trade were forbidden or blameworthy, it would not be valid to bring it up in a context of praise. So there is nothing wrong with trade; one does not say to a person, “Do not trade” or “Do not work.” However, people have different purposes in their trades. Some want trade to be a means for them to the Hereafter, while others want only the worldly life. The difference among people in this regard is a broad matter. Whoever trades to earn money to help a needy person, to draw near to Allah, and to carry out projects of good, is praised for that. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) paired it with what? With beneficial knowledge, where he said: This is evidence of the virtue of wealth when it is an aid in the obedience of Allah. It also contains evidence of the virtue of establishing prayer. Sami, what is the proof of that?
The student: ...

The Shaykh : How so, and what is the distinction of establishing prayer?
The student: ...

The Shaykh : Who knows?
The student: ...

The Shaykh : No.
The student: ...

The Shaykh : No, my intention is that prayer has a distinction over other acts. Is prayer part of the remembrance of Allah? He singled it out for mention among the remembrances. Singling out after generalization indicates the virtue of the singled-out thing and its distinction. The angels and the Spirit descend in it. The Spirit is Jibril, who was singled out for mention although he is one of the angels, because of his honor and virtue. So singling out prayer and its establishment after mentioning what is more general is evidence of its distinction. Likewise, the giving of zakah. These two acts of worship are the best of acts of worship after tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and testifying to the message, because establishing prayer is the second pillar and giving zakah is the third pillar. And Allah, Glorified and Exalted, always pairs them in the Qur’an… Recite the verses in which prayer is paired with zakah.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : And there are verses in the Qur’an where prayer is paired with zakah. May Allah help you. Okay, the giving of zakah.
It also contains evidence that whoever worships Allah out of fear is praised. From where is this taken? And Allah, Glorified and Exalted, praised those who worship out of fear of the punishment, saying: And here He said: Okay, and Allah the Exalted praised those who worship out of seeking reward: This is a clear refutation of those among the Sufis and others who held that the best in worship is for a person not to intend any benefit for himself, but to worship Allah for His own sake only. Meaning, you do not worship Allah intending that you want the favor of Allah or fearing His punishment. They say, “Worship Allah for Allah’s sake.” It is said to them: You are not in a better state than the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, for Allah mentioned that they were seeking favor from Allah and pleasure. And you are not in a better state than the righteous about whom Allah praised, until He said: And there is no doubt that the person who worships Allah, Glorified and Exalted, to attain His favor and be saved from His punishment, is seeking to reach the pleasure of Allah and to see Allah, Mighty and Majestic, because seeing Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is among the pleasures of Paradise.
This contains evidence of the greatness of the Day of Resurrection and its severe terrors, due to His saying: “In it, hearts and eyes will turn about.” The hearts are not specific, but the “al” in it indicates generality, meaning all hearts will turn about and all eyes will turn about, even the prophets (peace be upon them) fear and are afraid. But despite that, the people of good believe along with their fear; they believe. And it is known that those who believe, without doubt, this day will be made easy for them. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said: “On the Day of Resurrection” And He said: It is understood from this that this contains a warning, and its terrors and severity will be easy for the believers, while it is in itself very great. [Al-Hajj: 2]