What was the condition of the Companions with regard to work, and did they work most of the day, or at night during the time of the night prayer? And is one who works long hours considered a slave to the dinar and the dirham?

The companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, engaged in various professions and crafts, such as trade, agriculture, handicrafts, and administrative positions. None of them were a burden on others. Seeking knowledge and noble companionship did not prevent them from working and earning a living. They would learn at night and work during the day to support themselves and spend in the way of Allah. It is mentioned in a Hadith that the reciters of the Quran would study it at night and gather firewood during the day to sell it and provide food for the People of the Suffah.

Their working hours varied depending on the nature of the work, most of which was during the day, and at night, they would devote themselves to worship. They rarely had night work, unlike the nature of life today. Working at night or for long hours is not blameworthy if it is out of necessity or need, such as the professions of doctors and police. What is blameworthy is preoccupation with the worldly life over the Hereafter, making it one's greatest concern, and accumulating wealth with greed, covetousness, and boasting, rather than to fulfill a need. Righteous wealth for a righteous person is not blameworthy in itself; rather, what is blameworthy is for a person to be a slave to wealth.

Al-Hasan al-Basri described the state of the Companions as having extreme asceticism towards worldly life, considering it less significant than dust. They did not rejoice over what came to them from it, nor did they grieve over what departed from them. They were more eager to preserve their lifetimes than their dirhams. Despite the hardship of their work, they were the greatest among people in performing night prayers and worshipping their Lord.