Children & Parenting

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ مَدِينَةٍ مِنْ مَدَائِنِ أَهْلِ الْحَرْبِ هَلْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَاءُ وَ تُحْرَقَ بِالنَّارِ أَوْ تُرْمَى بِالْمَجَانِيقِ حَتَّى يُقْتَلُوا وَ فِيهِمُ النِّسَاءُ وَ الصِّبْيَانُ وَ الشَّيْخُ الْكَبِيرُ وَ الْأُسَارَى مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ التُّجَّارُ فَقَالَ يُفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ وَ لَا يُمْسَكُ عَنْهُمْ لِهَؤُلَاءِ وَ لَا دِيَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ

6. Ali has narrated from his father, from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqariy from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “A city of the unbelievers is in the state of war (against Muslims); can it be flooded, set on fire or fired upon with catapults to destroy them even when there are women, children, old peo

إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص كَانَ إِذَا بَعَثَ أَمِيراً لَهُ عَلَى سَرِيَّةٍ أَمَرَهُ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي خَاصَّةِ نَفْسِهِ ثُمَّ فِي أَصْحَابِهِ عَامَّةً ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اغْزُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَاتِلُوا مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ وَ لَا تَغْدِرُوا وَ لَا تَغُلُّوا وَ تُمَثِّلُوا وَ لَا تَقْتُلُوا وَلِيداً وَ لَا مُتَبَتِّلًا فِي شَاهِقٍ‌[2] وَ لَا تُحْرِقُوا النَّخْلَ وَ لَا تُغْرِقُوهُ بِالْمَ

‘Mobilize in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight those who reject belief in Allah. You must not betray, or deceive, you must not deform anyone, you must not kill children, you must not kill devoted worshippers who live in desolate places, you must not burn palm trees or flood them in water, you must not cu

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا بَعَثَ سَرِيَّةً دَعَا بِأَمِيرِهَا فَأَجْلَسَهُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ وَ أَجْلَسَ أَصْحَابَهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ سِيرُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَغْدِرُوا وَ لَا تَغُلُّوا وَ لَا تُمَثِّلُوا وَ لَا تَقْطَعُوا شَجَرَةً إِلَّا أَنْ تُضْطَرُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَ لَا تَقْتُلُوا شَيْخاً فَانِياً وَ لَا صَبِيّاً وَ لَا امْرَأَةً

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that whenever the Messenger of Allah dispatched a small group for an armed expedition, he called their commander and made him sit on his side. He then called the soldiers and made them sit in front of him and said to them, ‘March in the name of Allah, with Allah, in the way of Allah an

تَعَاهَدُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَ حَافِظُوا عَلَيْهَا وَ اسْتَكْثِرُوا مِنْهَا وَ تَقَرَّبُوا بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا كانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتاباً مَوْقُوتاً وَ قَدْ عَلِمَ ذَلِكَ الْكُفَّارُ حِينَ سُئِلُوا ما سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ قالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ‌ الْمُصَلِّينَ‌[1] وَ قَدْ عَرَفَ حَقَّهَا مَنْ طَرَقَهَا[2] وَ أُكْرِمَ بِهَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَشْغَلُهُمْ عَنْهَا زَيْنُ مَتَاعٍ وَ لَا قُرَّةُ عَيْنٍ مِن

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain individuals of his people from abu Hamzah from ‘Aqil al-Khuza’iy who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, during a war recommended the Muslims with these words: ‘You must perform your Salat (prayer) regularly, preserve it, perform it v

فَقَالَ أَمَّا أَوْلَادُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَا يُقَامُونَ فِي سِهَامِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَكِنْ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَى أَبِيهِمْ أَوْ أَخِيهِمْ أَوْ إِلَى وَلِيِّهِمْ بِشُهُودٍ وَ أَمَّا الْمَمَالِيكُ فَإِنَّهُمْ يُقَامُونَ فِي سِهَامِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَيُبَاعُونَ وَ يُعْطَى مَوَالِيهِمْ قِيمَةَ أَثْمَانِهِمْ مِنْ بَيْتِ مَالِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the Muslim prisoners, their children or servants (slaves), taken by the enemy who were afterwards rescued after a victorious fight, how should they be dealt with, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The children of the Muslims do not become the share of the Muslims. They are returned to the

أَغَارَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ عَلَى سَرْحِ الْمَدِينَةِ[5] فَنَادَى فِيهَا مُنَادٍ يَا سُوءَ صَبَاحَاهْ‌[6] فَسَمِعَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي الْخَيْلِ فَرَكِبَ فَرَسَهُ فِي طَلَبِ الْعَدُوِّ وَ كَانَ أَوَّلَ أَصْحَابِهِ لَحِقَهُ- أَبُو قَتَادَةَ عَلَى فَرَسٍ لَهُ وَ كَانَ تَحْتَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص سَرْجٌ دَفَّتَاهُ لِيفٌ لَيْسَ فِيهِ أَشَرٌ وَ لَا بَطَرٌ[7] فَطَلَبَ الْعَدُوَّ فَلَمْ يَلْقَوْا أَحَداً وَ تَتَابَعَتِ الْخَيْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the pagans attacked the pasture area of al-Madinah and an announcer announced, ‘How bad is this morning!’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, heard it when among people with horses. He rode his horse

يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ لِصّاً دَخَلَ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَسَرَقَ حُلِيَّهَا فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَوْ دَخَلَ عَلَى ابْنِ صَفِيَّةَ لَمَا رَضِيَ بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَعُمَّهُ بِالسَّيْفِ.

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), and said, ’O Amir al-Mu’minin, a thief entered in the house of my wife and stole her ornaments. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), said, ‘Had he (the thief) entered the house of the son of a clean woman he would not agree with less than overwhelming him (thief) by his sword.’”

نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ كَذَلِكَ إِنْ كَانَتْ‌ مَعَهُ امْرَأَةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْأُمُّ وَ الْبِنْتُ وَ ابْنَةُ الْعَمِّ وَ الْقَرَابَةُ يَمْنَعُهُنَّ وَ إِنْ خَافَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الْقَتْلَ قَالَ نَعَمْ [قُلْتُ‌] وَ كَذَلِكَ الْمَالُ يُرِيدُونَ أَخْذَهُ فِي سَفَرٍ فَيَمْنَعُهُ وَ إِنْ خَافَ الْقَتْلَ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“If a man is on a journey and with him is his slave-girl. Certain people come and want to take his slave-girl from him. Should he try to stop them even if he fears for losing his life?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, he should try.’ I then asked, ‘Is it so also if a woman is with him?’ He (the Imam) replies, ‘Yes, it is.

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي أَتَيْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمَ وَ دَعَوْتُهُمْ وَ احْتَجَجْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَدَعَوْنِي إِلَى أَنْ أَصْبِرَ لِلْجِلَادِ وَ أَبْرُزَ لِلطِّعَانِ‌[1] فَلِأُمِّهِمُ الْهَبَلُ وَ قَدْ كُنْتُ وَ مَا أُهَدَّدُ بِالْحَرْبِ وَ لَا أُرْهَبُ بِالضَّرْبِ أَنْصَفَ الْقَارَةَ مَنْ رَامَاهَا[2] فَلِغَيْرِي فَلْيُبْرِقُوا وَ لْيُرْعِدُوا[3] فَأَنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الَّذِي فَلَلْتُ حَدَّهُمْ وَ فَرَّقْتُ جَمَاعَت

“On the day of Jamal Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), delivered a speech. He praised and glorified Allah; then said, ‘O people, I came to these people, called them and presented proof in support of my truthfulness. They then called me for a contest. Their mothers will certainly weep for them; I never was and will not feel thre

يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ قَوْمٌ يُتَّبَعُ فِيهِمْ قَوْمٌ مُرَاءُونَ يَتَقَرَّءُونَ وَ يَتَنَسَّكُونَ حُدَثَاءُ سُفَهَاءُ[2] لَا يُوجِبُونَ أَمْراً بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَ لَا نَهْياً عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ إِلَّا إِذَا أَمِنُوا الضَّرَرَ[3] يَطْلُبُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمُ الرُّخَصَ وَ الْمَعَاذِيرَ يَتَّبِعُونَ زَلَّاتِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ فَسَادَ عَمَلِهِمْ يُقْبِلُونَ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ وَ مَا لَا يَكْلِمُهُمْ‌[4] فِي نَفْسٍ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from certain persons of our people from Bashir ibn ‘Abd Allah from abu ‘Ismah Qadiy of Marve from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘During the last era of time there will be a people who are followe

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ حَيْثُ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنَ الْمَعَاصِي وَ لَمْ يَنْهَهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَ الْأَحْبَارُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَّا تَمَادَوْا فِي الْمَعَاصِي وَ لَمْ يَنْهَهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَ الْأَحْبَارُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ نَزَلَتْ بِهِمُ الْعُقُوبَاتُ فَأْمُرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ انْهَوْ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once delivered a sermon. He first praised and glorified Allah. Thereafter he said, ‘People before were destroyed because when they committed sins the Rabbis and Monks did not stop them from committing such deeds. When they continued committing disobedience and the Rabbis and Monks did not proh

إِنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْمُنْكَدِرِ كَانَ يَقُولُ مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَدَعُ خَلَفاً أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ ابْنَهُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَعِظَهُ فَوَعَظَنِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَعَظَكَ قَالَ خَرَجْتُ إِلَى بَعْضِ نَوَاحِي الْمَدِينَةِ فِي سَاعَةٍ حَارَّةٍ فَلَقِيَنِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ كَانَ رَجُلًا بَادِناً ثَقِيلً

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir has said, ‘I did not think Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), might leave behind a successor better than his own-self. Time passed and I one day saw his son, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). I decided to give him certain words of good advice but I, instead, learned a lesson

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَقْرِءُوا مَنْ لَقِيتُمْ مِنْ أَصْحَابِكُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ إِنَ‌ فُلَانَ بْنَ فُلَانٍ يُقْرِئُكُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَا يُنَالُ بِهِ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ مَا آمُرُكُمْ إِلَّا بِمَا نَأْمُرُ بِهِ أَنْفُسَنَا فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْجِدِّ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمُ الصُّبْحَ وَ انْصَرَفْتُمْ فَبَ

8. Ahmad ibn ‘ Abd Allah Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu ‘ Abd Allah from Safwan from Khalid ibn Najih who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Say Salam (greeting of peace) to whoever of your people you meet and say to them, “So and so son of so and so (the Imam) says Sal

مَا أُحْصِي مَا سَمِعْتُ- أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يُنْشِدُ - فَإِنْ يَكُ يَا أُمَيْمُ عَلَيَّ دَيْنٌ‌ فَعِمْرَانُ بْنُ مُوسَى يَسْتَدِينُ‌

‘O mother, if I may become indebted (consider) that Moses son of ‘Imran would also borrow.’”

كَانَ لِي صَدِيقٌ مِنْ كُتَّابِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ فَقَالَ لِي اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ دَخَلَ سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ فِي دِيوَانِ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ فَأَصَبْتُ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ مَالًا كَثِيراً وَ أَغْمَضْتُ فِي مَطَالِبِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَوْ لَا أَنَّ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَجَدُوا مَنْ يَكْتُب

“I had a young friend who worked as clerk for Amawide rulers. He asked me to ask permission for a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I asked for permission and it was granted. He came for the meeting, offered greeting of peace and sat down. He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I wo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ أَعْمَالِهِمْ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَا وَ لَا مَدَّةَ قَلَمٍ‌[1] إِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَا يُصِيبُ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَصَابُوا مِنْ دِينِهِ مِثْلَهُ أَوْ قَالَ حَتَّى يُصِيبُوا مِنْ دِينِهِ مِثْلَهُ. الْوَهْمُ مِنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about working for them (sultans). He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, no, not even for moving a pen. For whatever one finds from them of the worldly things, one’s religion is harmed proportionately or that he (the Imam) said that until his religion is harmed; - uncertainty is from Ibn

إِنَّ قَوْماً مِمَّنْ آمَنَ بِمُوسَى ع قَالُوا لَوْ أَتَيْنَا عَسْكَرَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَ كُنَّا فِيهِ وَ نِلْنَا مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ فَإِذَا كَانَ الَّذِي نَرْجُوهُ مِنْ ظُهُورِ مُوسَى ع صِرْنَا إِلَيْهِ فَفَعَلُوا فَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهَ مُوسَى ع وَ مَنْ مَعَهُ إِلَى الْبَحْرِ هَارِبِينَ مِنْ فِرْعَوْنَ رَكِبُوا دَوَابَّهُمْ وَ أَسْرَعُوا فِي السَّيْرِ لِيَلْحَقُوا بِمُوسَى ع وَ عَسْكَرِهِ فَيَكُونُوا مَعَهُمْ فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A people of those who believed in Musa (a.s.) decided to join the army of Pharaoh so that they can benefit from their worldly gains and if Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam succeeded to join him. They did as they had decided to do. When Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam and his followers went to the sea run

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَخَبَّرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ وُلِدَ لِي غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَا سَمَّيْتَهُ مُحَمَّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ قَالَ فَلَا تَضْرِبْ مُحَمَّداً وَ لَا تَسُبَّهُ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَكَ فِي حَيَاتِكَ وَ خَلَفَ صِدْقٍ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِي أَيِّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَضَعُهُ قَالَ إِذَا عَدَلْتَهُ عَنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ فَضَعْهُ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ لَا تُسْلِمْهُ صَ

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him of the birth of my son. He asked, ‘Why do you not name him Muhammad?’ I replied, ‘I have already done so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘You must not beat up a Muhammad and do not abuse him. Allah will make him the delight to your eyes during your life time as well as

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعَنَا فَرْقَدٌ الْحَجَّامُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَعْمَلُ عَمَلًا وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ غَيْرَ وَاحِدٍ وَ لَا اثْنَيْنِ فَزَعَمُوا أَنَّهُ عَمَلٌ مَكْرُوهٌ وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ مَكْرُوهاً انْتَهَيْتُ عَنْهُ وَ عَمِلْتُ غَيْرَهُ مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ فَإِنِّي مُنْتَهٍ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْلِكَ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ حَجَّامٌ قَال

“Once we visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Farqad al-Hajjam was also with us. He (Farqad) asked him (the Imam) saying, ’May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, I perform a certain kind of work and I have asked more than one person about the legal status of what I do and they think it is a detestable work

مَاتَ الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص إِنَّ آلَ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَدْ أَقَامُوا مَنَاحَةً فَأَذْهَبُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَأَذِنَ لَهَا فَلَبِسَتْ ثِيَابَهَا وَ تَهَيَّأَتْ وَ كَانَتْ مِنْ حُسْنِهَا كَأَنَّهَا جَانٌّ وَ كَانَتْ إِذَا قَامَتْ فَأَرْخَتْ شَعْرَهَا جَلَّلَ جَسَدَهَا[2] وَ عَقَدَتْ بِطَرَفَيْهِ خَلْخَالَهَا فَنَدَبَتِ ابْنَ عَمِّهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ- أَنْعَ

‘When al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah died, ‘Umm Salamah asked the Holy Prophet, for permission. She said, “The family of al-Mughirah has organized a gathering to mourn for al-Walid. Can I also attend their gathering?” The Holy Prophet granted her permission. She dressed up. She was beautiful like a fairy. When standing she r

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ التَّعْلِيمِ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْخُذْ عَلَى التَّعْلِيمِ أَجْراً[1] قُلْتُ الشِّعْرُ وَ الرَّسَائِلُ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَ ذَلِكَ أُشَارِطُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الصِّبْيَانُ عِنْدَكَ سَوَاءً[2] فِي التَّعْلِيمِ لَا تُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ.

'Do not take a fee for teaching.' I then asked: 'What about poetry, letters, and the like? Can I charge for them?' He said: 'Yes, as long as the children under your instruction are treated equally in teaching, and you do not show favoritism between them.'

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَؤُلَاءِ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ كَسْبَ الْمُعَلِّمِ سُحْتٌ فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا أَعْدَاءُ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَنْ لَا يُعَلِّمُوا الْقُرْآنَ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ الْمُعَلِّمَ أَعْطَاهُ رَجُلٌ دِيَةَ وَلَدِهِ لَكَانَ لِلْمُعَلِّمِ مُبَاحاً.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘They say that receiving payment for teaching is Suht (filthy and unlawful). He (the Imam) said, ‘They, the enemies of Allah, have spoken a lie. They want to stop teaching of al-Quran. If one gives blood money for his child to a teacher it (payment) is lawful for the teacher.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزْنِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ حِينَ يَسْرِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَنْهَبُ نُهْبَةً ذَاتَ شَرَفٍ‌[2] حِينَ يَنْهَبُهَا وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ ابْنُ سِنَانٍ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْجَارُودِ وَ مَا نُهْبَةٌ ذَاتُ شَرَفٍ قَالَ نَحْوُ مَا صَنَعَ حَاتِمٌ حِينَ قَالَ مَنْ أَخَذَ شَيْئاً فَهُوَ لَهُ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A fornicator does not fornicate while he is a believing person, a thief does not steal while he is a believing person and an honorable person does not do Nahbah Dhata Sharaf (an honor-loot)

كَانَ يَنْهَى عَنِ الْجَوْزِ يَجِي‌ءُ بِهِ الصِّبْيَانُ مِنَ الْقِمَارِ أَنْ يُؤْكَلَ وَ قَالَ هُوَ سُحْتٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would prohibit utilization of walnuts, that children bring after using in gambling, saying that it is Suht (filthy), unlawful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الصِّبْيَانُ يَلْعَبُونَ بِالْجَوْزِ وَ الْبَيْضِ وَ يُقَامِرُونَ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ حَرَامٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of children who play with walnuts and eggs and gamble. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not consume them for food; it is unlawful.’”

كَسْبُ الْحَرَامِ يَبِينُ فِي الذُّرِّيَّةِ.[1]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The effects of unlawful earning shows up in one’s offspring.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوْعَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ بِعُقُوبَتَيْنِ إِحْدَاهُمَا عُقُوبَةُ الْآخِرَةِ النَّارُ وَ أَمَّا عُقُوبَةُ الدُّنْيَا فَقَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لْيَخْشَ الَّذِينَ‌ لَوْ تَرَكُوا مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعافاً خافُوا عَلَيْهِمْ‌ الْآيَةَ[1] يَعْنِي لِيَخْشَ أَنْ أَخْلُفَهُ فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْيَتَامَى.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has issued two kinds of warnings about consuming properties of orphans. One is the suffering by the fire in the next life

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ لِي أَخٌ هَلَكَ فَأَوْصَى إِلَى أَخٍ أَكْبَرَ مِنِّي وَ أَدْخَلَنِي مَعَهُ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ وَ تَرَكَ ابْناً لَهُ صَغِيراً وَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَيَضْرِبُ بِهِ أَخِي فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ فَضْلٍ سَلَّمَهُ لِلْيَتِيمِ وَ ضَمِنَ لَهُ مَالَهُ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لِأَخِيكَ مَالٌ يُحِيطُ بِمَالِ الْيَتِيمِ إِنْ تَلِفَ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ فَلَا يَعْرِضْ لِمَالِ الْيَتِي

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I had a brother who has died and made a will in which he appointed my brother who is elder to me and myself as executors. He has left behind a small son and has left behind a certain amount of assets. My brother uses that asset in business and gives the extra to the orphan and h

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ أَدُّوا الْأَمَانَةَ وَ لَوْ إِلَى قَاتِلِ وُلْدِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘You must return a trust even if an assassin of the children of the prophet has left it with you.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لِابْنِهِ مَالٌ فَيَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ الْأَبُ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ فَأَمَّا الْأُمُّ فَلَا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَرْضاً عَلَى نَفْسِهَا[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose son owned a certain amount of wealth and his father was needy. He (the Imam) replied, ‘He has permission to use such wealth for food; however, a mother does not have such permission but she can borrow on her own responsibility.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِرَجُلٍ أَنْتَ وَ مَالُكَ لِأَبِيكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَا أُحِبُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْ مَالِ ابْنِهِ إِلَّا مَا احْتَاجَ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا لَا بُدَّ مِنْهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ لا يُحِبُّ الْفَسادَ.

‘You and your property belong to your father.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.), then said, ‘I do not like his spending from the property of his son more than what he needs for his bare necessities; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, does not love destruction.’”

فَلْيَأْخُذْ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ أُمُّهُ حَيَّةً فَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَأْخُذَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا قَرْضاً عَلَى نَفْسِهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose son owned a certain amount of wealth and liked to take something from it. He (the Imam) replied, ‘He has permission to do so; however, were his mother alive I would not like her taking anything from his property except as a loan on her own

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى مَالِ ابْنِهِ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ مَا شَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سَرَفٍ وَ قَالَ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع إِنَّ الْوَلَدَ لَا يَأْخُذُ مِنْ مَالِ وَالِدِهِ شَيْئاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ وَ الْوَالِدَ يَأْخُذُ مِنْ مَالِ ابْنِهِ مَا شَاءَ وَ لَهُ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى جَارِيَةِ ابْنِهِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنِ الِابْنُ وَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا وَ ذَكَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ أَنْتَ وَ مَالُكَ

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who needed to spend from the property of his son. He (the Imam) replied, ‘He has permission to use the property of his son for food as much as he wants but without excess.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is in the book of Ali (a.s.), that a son does not have permission to spend fro

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا يَحِلُّ لِلرَّجُلِ مِنْ مَالِ وَلَدِهِ قَالَ قُوتُهُ بِغَيْرِ سَرَفٍ إِذَا اضْطُرَّ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَقَوْلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِلرَّجُلِ الَّذِي أَتَاهُ فَقَدَّمَ أَبَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَنْتَ وَ مَالُكَ لِأَبِيكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا جَاءَ بِأَبِيهِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا أَبِي وَ قَدْ ظَلَمَنِي مِيرَاثِي مِنْ أُمِّي فَأَخْبَرَهُ الْأَبُ أَنَّ

He (the Imam) replied, ‘He can take for his basic necessities without excess when pressing needs compel him.’ I (the narrator) then asked about the words of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, to a man who came to him and had brought his

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ وَجَدَ مَالًا فَعَرَّفَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا مَضَتِ السَّنَةُ اشْتَرَى بِهِ خَادِماً فَجَاءَ طَالِبُ الْمَالِ فَوَجَدَ الْجَارِيَةَ الَّتِي اشْتُرِيَتْ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ هِيَ ابْنَتَهُ قَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ إِلَّا دَرَاهِمَهُ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ الِابْنَةُ إِنَّمَا لَهُ رَأْسُ مَالِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا كَانَتِ ابْنَتُهُ مَمْلُوكَةَ قَوْمٍ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man found a certain amount of goods and he announced about it in public for one year. He then bought a slave-girl. A man then claiming to be the owner came to him and found the slave-girl who was purchased with that money to be his daughter.’ He (the Imam

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَ وَلَدِهِ رِبًا وَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ السَّيِّدِ وَ عَبْدِهِ رِبًا[2].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘There is no Riba ’ between a man and his sons as well between a master and his slave.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ أَهْلِ حَرْبِنَا رِبًا نَأْخُذُ مِنْهُمْ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ بِدِرْهَمٍ وَ نَأْخُذُ مِنْهُمْ وَ لَا نُعْطِيهِمْ.

2. Through the same chain of narrators as the previous one is the following Hadith: “The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘There is no Riba ’ between us and those in the state of war with us. We can receive a thousand dirham fro

لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَ وَلَدِهِ وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ عَبْدِهِ وَ لَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ أَهْلِهِ رِبًا إِنَّمَا الرِّبَا فِيمَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ مَا لَا تَمْلِكُ قُلْتُ فَالْمُشْرِكُونَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُمْ رِبًا قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُمْ مَمَالِيكُ فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ تَمْلِكُهُمْ إِنَّمَا تَمْلِكُهُمْ مَعَ غَيْرِكَ أَنْتَ وَ غَيْرُكَ فِيهِمْ سَوَاءٌ فَالَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُمْ لَيْسَ مِنْ ذَلِ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘ Riba ’ does not apply in the case of a man and his sons, his slave and his wife. Riba ’ applies when you do not own certain goods.’ I then asked, ‘Does it apply between me and the pagans?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, it applies.’ I said, ‘They are slaves.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You do no

قَامَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى دَارِ ابْنِ أَبِي مُعَيْطٍ وَ كَانَ يُقَامُ فِيهَا الْإِبِلُ فَقَالَ يَا مَعَاشِرَ السَّمَاسِرَةِ[2] أَقِلُّوا الْأَيْمَانَ فَإِنَّهَا مَنْفَقَةٌ لِلسِّلْعَةِ مَمْحَقَةٌ لِلرِّبْحِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once stood on the house of ibn abu Mu‘ayt where camel men stayed, and said, ‘O middlemen people, you must reduce swearing; it makes a merchandise easily marketable but destroys the profit.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَلَقَّ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَهَى عَنِ التَّلَقِّي قُلْتُ وَ مَا حَدُّ التَّلَقِّي قَالَ مَا دُونَ غَدْوَةٍ أَوْ رَوْحَةٍ قُلْتُ وَ كَمِ الْغَدْوَةُ وَ الرَّوْحَةُ قَالَ أَرْبَعُ فَرَاسِخَ قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ وَ مَا فَوْقَ ذَلِكَ فَلَيْسَ بِتَلَقٍّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘You must not travel to meet the caravan of suppliers out of the city before other buyers; the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, prohibited it.’ I then asked, ‘What are its limits?’ He (the Imam) replied,

إِنْ كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الثَّلَاثَةِ الْأَيَّامِ يَشْرَبُ لَبَنَهَا رَدَّ مَعَهَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَمْدَادٍ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهَا لَبَنٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[2]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنِ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“This is about the case of a man who had purchased a sheep and had kept it for three days; then returned it, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If during those three days he had consumed its milk he returns it with three handful of food. If the sheep did not have any milk he then does not owe anything.”’ Ali ibn Ibrahim

لَا يَبِيعُ رَاحِلَةً عَاجِلًا بِعَشَرَةِ مَلَاقِيحَ مِنْ أَوْلَادِ جَمَلٍ فِي قَابِلٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The sale of one grown up camel in exchange for ten fetuses of camel to be born is not valid.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الْجِرَابَ الْهَرَوِيَّ وَ الْقُوهِيَ‌[2] فَيَشْتَرِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْهُ عَشَرَةَ أَثْوَابٍ فَيَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهِ خِيَارَهُ كُلَّ ثَوْبٍ بِرِبْحِ خَمْسَةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ فَقَالَ مَا أُحِبُّ هَذَا الْبَيْعَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ خِيَاراً غَيْرَ خَمْسَةِ أَثْوَابٍ وَ وَجَدَ الْبَقِيَّةَ سَوَاءً قَالَ لَهُ إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُهُ إِنَّهُمْ قَدِ اشْتَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys sacks made in Hirat, and in al-Quhiy. A man then buys from him ten cloths with the condition that he can choose every cloth, for a certain amount of profit, five or less or more. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like this sale.

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ قَرَابَةٌ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ أَوْلَاداً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ غِلْمَاناً وَ جَوَارِيَ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ فَمَا تَرَى فِيمَنْ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُمُ الْجَارِيَةَ يَتَّخِذُهَا أُمَّ وَلَدٍ وَ مَا تَرَى فِي بَيْعِهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُمْ وَلِيٌّ يَقُومُ بِأَمْرِهِمْ‌[1] بَاعَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ نَظَرَ لَهُمْ وَ كَانَ مَأْجُوراً فِيهِمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who is of my relatives who has left behind small children, slave-boys and slave-girls, and has not made any will. ‘What do you say about one who buys from them a slave-girl for a mother of one’s child and what do you say about selling them?’ He (the Imam

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْمٍ مِنَ الْعَدُوِّ صَالَحُوا ثُمَّ خَفَرُوا[1] وَ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا خَفَرُوا لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يُعْدَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَ يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يُشْتَرَى مِنْ سَبْيِهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ قَدِ اسْتَبَانَ عَدَاوَتُهُمْ فَاشْتَرِ مِنْهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ نَفَرُوا وَ ظَلَمُوا فَلَا تَبْتَعْ مِنْ سَبْيِهِمْ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ سَبْيِ الدَّيْلَمِ يَسْرِقُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ يُ

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the enemy people who make peace, then breach it because justice was not practiced with them; if it is permissible to buy their captives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they are open enemies you can buy but if they are exiled and treated unjustly, then do not buy their captives.’ I asked hi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ الرُّومَ يُغِيرُونَ عَلَى الصَّقَالِبَةِ[2] فَيَسْرِقُونَ أَوْلَادَهُمْ مِنَ الْجَوَارِي وَ الْغِلْمَانِ فَيَعْمِدُونَ إِلَى الْغِلْمَانِ فَيَخْصُونَهُمْ‌[3] ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُونَ بِهِمْ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ إِلَى‌ التُّجَّارِ فَمَا تَرَى فِي شِرَائِهِمْ وَ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ سُرِقُوا وَ إِنَّمَا أَغَارُوا عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَرْبٍ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِشِرَائ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about Romans who invade al-Saqalibah (a people who lived between Bulgaria and Constantinople (Istanbul)), steal their children, slave-girls and slave-boys, then castrate the slave-boys, then send them to Baghdad for the merchants. What do you say about them and we know they are stole

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فِي وَلِيدَةٍ بَاعَهَا ابْنُ سَيِّدِهَا وَ أَبُوهُ غَائِبٌ فَاسْتَوْلَدَهَا الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهَا فَوَلَدَتْ مِنْهُ غُلَاماً ثُمَّ جَاءَ سَيِّدُهَا الْأَوَّلُ فَخَاصَمَ سَيِّدَهَا الْآخَرَ فَقَالَ وَلِيدَتِي بَاعَهَا ابْنِي بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي فَقَالَ الْحُكْمُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ وَلِيدَتَهُ وَ ابْنَهَا فَنَاشَدَهُ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ خُذِ ابْنَهُ الَّذِي بَاعَكَ الْوَلِيدَةَ حَتَّى

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), issued a judgment in the case of a slave-girl who is the mother of a child who is sold by the son of her master in the absence of his father. The buyer made her to become pregnant and a boy was born. Then her first master came and disputed the second master, s

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ وَ مَعَهُ ابْنٌ لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تِجَارَةُ ابْنِكَ فَقَالَ التَّنَخُّسُ‌[2] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا تَشْتَرِيَنَّ شَيْناً وَ لَا عَيْباً[3] وَ إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ رَأْساً فَلَا تُرِيَنَّ ثَمَنَهُ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ فَمَا مِنْ رَأْسٍ رَأَى ثَمَنَهُ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ فَأَفْلَحَ وَ إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ رَأ

“Once I was sitting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came in with his son. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘What kind of business does your son do?’ He replied, ‘He sells slaves.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘You must not buy what is defective physically or morally. When you buy a head, you must not show its price

يَأْخُذُ الْجَارِيَةَ صَاحِبُهَا وَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّجُلُ وَلَدَهُ بِقِيمَتِهِ.

“About the case of a man who buys a slave-girl and makes her to give birth, then finds her to be stolen, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Her owner takes the slave-girl and the man takes the child.’”

قَالَ رُوِيَ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى‌ أَنَّهُ قَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ خَصْماً لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا بَاعَنِي هَذِهِ الْجَارِيَةَ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ عَلَى رَكَبِهَا[2] حِينَ كَشَفْتُهَا شَعْراً وَ زَعَمَتْ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهَا قَطُّ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى إِنَّ النَّاسَ لَيَحْتَالُونَ لِهَذَا بِالْحِيَلِ حَتَّى يَذْهَبُوا بِهِ فَمَا الَّذِي كَرِهْتَ قَالَ أَيُّهَا الْقَاضِي إِنْ كَانَ عَيْباً فَاقْ

a man came to him claiming a slave-girl was sold to him, but he didn't find any pubic hair on her when he uncovered her, and she claimed she never had any. Ibn Abi Layla said to him, "People often deceive using such tricks until they get away with it. What is it that you disliked?". The man said, "Oh Qadhi (judge), if