Abu Abdur Rahman Salami (may Allah have mercy on him) says that one day Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) took my hand and we kept walking together until we sat down by the bank of the Euphrates. Then Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said that one day the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The wretchedness or happiness of each of you is present and determined in the knowledge of Allah." The noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) asked: O Messenger of Allah! Then why should we act? He said: "Keep doing deeds, for each will be made easy for that which he was created." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited this verse of the Qur'an: «﴿فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَى وَاتَّقَى o وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَى o فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَى o وَأَمَّا مَنْ بَخِلَ وَاسْتَغْنَى o وَكَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنَى o فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْعُسْرَى﴾ [الليل: 5-10] » "As for him who gives, fears (Allah), and affirms the good, We will make smooth for him the path to ease. But as for him who is miserly, considers himself self-sufficient, and denies the good, We will make smooth for him the path to hardship."