Friendship & Companionship

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَثِيراً مَا يَقُولُ‌ اعْلَمُوا عِلْماً يَقِيناً أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لِلْعَبْدِ وَ إِنِ اشْتَدَّ جَهْدُهُ وَ عَظُمَتْ حِيلَتُهُ وَ كَثُرَتْ مُكَابَدَتُهُ أَنْ يَسْبِقَ مَا سُمِّيَ لَهُ فِي الذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ وَ لَمْ يَحُلْ‌ مِنَ الْعَبْدِ فِي ضَعْفِهِ وَ قِلَّةِ حِيلَتِهِ‌[1] أَنْ يَبْلُغَ مَا سُمِّيَ لَهُ فِي الذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ لَنْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), very often would say, ‘You must take notice with absolute certainty that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, does not allow a servant, no matter how intensely he strives, how great the kind of means he prepares, and no matter how numerously he suffers fati

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّهُ ذُكِرَ لَنَا أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ دِينَارَانِ دَيْناً فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ قَالَ صَلُّوا عَلَى صَاحِبِكُمْ حَتَّى ضَمِنَهُمَا [عَنْهُ‌] بَعْضُ قَرَابَتِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ذَلِكَ الْحَقُ‌[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّمَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ لِيَتَّعِظُوا وَ لِيَرُدَّ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَ لِئَلَّا يَسْت

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We are told that a man from al-Ansar died while he owed two dinar to pay. The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, did not perform Salat (prayer) on his dead body and said, “You must perform Salat (prayer) on

ضَاقَ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع ضِيقَةٌ فَأَتَى مَوْلًى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْرِضْنِي عَشَرَةَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ فَقَالَ لَا لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي وَ لَكِنْ أُرِيدُ وَثِيقَةً قَالَ فَشَقَّ لَهُ مِنْ رِدَائِهِ هُدْبَةً[3] فَقَالَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الْوَثِيقَةُ قَالَ فَكَأَنَّ مَوْلَاهُ كَرِهَ ذَلِكَ فَغَضِبَ وَ قَالَ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِالْوَفَاءِ أَمْ حَاجِبُ بْنُ زُرَارَةَ[4] فَقَالَ أَنْتَ أَوْلَى‌ ب

“Once, Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), was placed under pressure. He went to one of his Mawla’ (friend or follower) and asked him to lend him ten thousand dirham up to the time he is able to pay back. He (his friend) said, ‘No, because it is not with me; however, I want a promissory note.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘He (th

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ اشْتَرَى دَيْناً عَلَى رَجُلٍ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الدَّيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ادْفَعْ إِلَيَّ مَا لِفُلَانٍ عَلَيْكَ فَقَدِ اشْتَرَيْتُهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ يَدْفَعُ إِلَيْهِ قِيمَةَ مَا دَفَعَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الدَّيْنِ وَ بَرِئَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْمَالُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ مَا بَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1].

The debtor pays what the collector has paid to the creditor and in so doing becomes free of the responsibility of paying all that was due on him.’”

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

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعَ السُّلْطَانِ أَوْلِيَاءَ يَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَنْ أَوْلِيَائِهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has friends with the Sultan through whom He protects His friends.’”

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

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَخٍ لَنَا فِي بَيْتِ أَيْتَامٍ وَ مَعَهُمْ خَادِمٌ لَهُمْ فَنَقْعُدُ عَلَى بِسَاطِهِمْ وَ نَشْرَبُ مِنْ مَائِهِمْ وَ يَخْدُمُنَا خَادِمُهُمْ وَ رُبَّمَا طَعِمْنَا فِيهِ الطَّعَامَ مِنْ عِنْدِ صَاحِبِنَا وَ فِيهِ مِنْ طَعَامِهِمْ فَمَا تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي دُخُولِكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ مَنْفَعَةٌ لَهُمْ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ ضَرَرٌ فَلَا وَ ق

“Once it was said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We visit a brother in belief in the house of orphans with their servant. We sit on their furnishings, drink from their water and their servant serves us and perhaps eat of the food of our friend in which there is the orphans’ food also. What do you say about it? He (the Imam

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عِنْدَ بَعْضِ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ مَالٌ لِأَيْتَامٍ فَيَدْفَعُهُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ دَرَاهِمَ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهَا وَ لَا يُعْلِمُ الَّذِي كَانَ عِنْدَهُ الْمَالُ لِلْأَيْتَامِ أَنَّهُ أَخَذَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ شَيْئاً ثُمَّ تَيَسَّرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَيُّ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ أَ يُعْطِيهِ الَّذِي كَانَ فِي يَدِهِ أَمْ يَدْفَعُهُ إِلَى الْيَتِيمِ وَ قَدْ بَلَغَ وَ هَلْ يُجْزِئُهُ أَنْ يَدْفَعَهُ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man in whose family someone has the assets of orphans and he gives a certain amount of dirham to him that he needs; and the person with whom there are the assets of orphans does not know if he has taken anything from their assets. He thereafter becomes affluent. I

لَمَّا هَلَكَ أَبِي سَيَابَةُ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ إِلَيَّ فَضَرَبَ الْبَابَ عَلَيَّ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَعَزَّانِي وَ قَالَ لِي هَلْ تَرَكَ أَبُوكَ شَيْئاً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لَا فَدَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كِيساً فِيهِ أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قَالَ لِي أَحْسِنْ حِفْظَهَا وَ كُلْ فَضْلَهَا فَدَخَلْتُ إِلَى أُمِّي وَ أَنَا فَرِحٌ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا فَلَمَّا كَانَ بِالْعَشِيِّ أَتَيْتُ صَدِيقاً كَانَ لِأَبِي فَاشْتَرَى لِي بَضَائِع

“When my father, Sayabah, passed away, one of his brothers came to me and knocked at the door. I went out to meet him. He offered me condolence and asked, ‘Has your father left anything?’ I replied, ‘No, he has not left anything.’ He then gave to me a bag with a thousand dirham in it and said, ‘Keep it (the capital) sa

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ امْرَأَةٌ دَفَعَتْ إِلَى زَوْجِهَا مَالًا مِنْ مَالِهَا لِيَعْمَلَ بِهِ وَ قَالَتْ لَهُ حِينَ دَفَعَتْ إِلَيْهِ أَنْفِقْ مِنْهُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِكَ حَدَثٌ فَمَا أَنْفَقْتَ مِنْهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّباً فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِي حَدَثٌ فَمَا أَنْفَقْتَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ حَلَالٌ طَيِّبٌ فَقَالَ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ يَا سَعِيدُ الْمَسْأَلَةَ فَلَمَّا ذَهَبْتُ أُعِيدُ الْمَسْأَلَةَ عَلَيْهِ اعْتَ

T pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, a woman gave a certain amount of property to her husband from her own property so he can use in business and she said to him upon the delivery, “You can spend from it and if something happens to you, it is lawful for you and if something happens to me and whate

خَرَجْتُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ أَنَا مِنْ أَشَدِّ النَّاسِ حَالًا فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا خَرَجْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَجَدْتُ عَلَى بَابِهِ كِيساً فِيهِ سَبْعُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ فَوْرِي ذَلِكَ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَقَالَ يَا سَعِيدُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَرِّفْهُ فِي الْمَشَاهِدِ وَ كُنْتُ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُرَخِّصَ لِي فِيهِ فَخَرَجْتُ وَ أَنَا مُغْتَمٌّ فَأَتَيْتُ مِنًى وَ

“I once left for Makkah and my financial condition was the worst among people. I mentioned to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). When I left his meeting at the door I found a bag with seven hundred dinar in it. I immediately returned to the Imam and informed him about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Sa‘id, be pious before Allah, most Maj

قَالَ رَجُلٌ إِنِّي قَدْ أَصَبْتُ مَالًا وَ إِنِّي قَدْ خِفْتُ فِيهِ عَلَى نَفْسِي فَلَوْ أَصَبْتُ صَاحِبَهُ دَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ تَخَلَّصْتُ مِنْهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ اللَّهِ إِنْ لَوْ أَصَبْتَهُ كُنْتَ تَدْفَعُهُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَأَنَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا لَهُ صَاحِبٌ غَيْرِي قَالَ‌ فَاسْتَحْلَفَهُ أَنْ يَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى مَنْ يَأْمُرُهُ قَالَ فَحَلَفَ قَالَ فَاذْهَبْ فَاقْ

‘I have found a certain amount of property and because of it I am afraid for myself. I wish to find the owner to free myself of this difficulty. He (the narrator) has said, that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked him, ‘Will you, by Allah, on finding the owner give it to him?’ He replied, ‘Yes, by Allah, I will do so.’ He (th

قَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْقُمِّيُّ إِنَّ لَنَا ضِيَاعاً فِيهَا بُيُوتُ النِّيرَانِ تُهْدِي إِلَيْهَا الْمَجُوسُ الْبَقَرَ وَ الْغَنَمَ وَ الدَّرَاهِمَ فَهَلْ لِأَرْبَابِ الْقُرَى أَنْ يَأْخُذُوا ذَلِكَ وَ لِبُيُوتِ نِيرَانِهِمْ قُوَّامٌ يَقُومُونَ‌ عَلَيْهَا[1] قَالَ لِيَأْخُذْهُ صَاحِبُ الْقُرَى لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ.

‘The owners of these villages must take it and there is no offense in it.’” (Consult Fatwa also)

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَهَادَوْا بِالنَّبِقِ تَحْيَا الْمَوَدَّةُ وَ الْمُوَالاةُ[2].

‘You should exchange gifts of berries; it revives affection and friendship.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَرْبَى بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَتْرُكَهُ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَا مَضَى فَلَهُ وَ لْيَتْرُكْهُ فِيمَا يَسْتَقْبِلُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ وَرِثْتُ مَالًا وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبَهُ كَانَ يَرْبُو وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُ فُقَهَاءَ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ وَ فُقَهَاءَ أَهْلِ الْحِجَازِ فَذَكَرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ فَقَالَ أ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who received Riba’ in ignorance, then he wanted to stay away from Riba’. He (the Imam) said ’What is passed is for him and he must stay away in the coming times.’ He (the Imam) then said, ’Once a man visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and sai

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ صَاحِبُ السِّلْعَةِ أَحَقُّ بِالسَّوْمِ‌[4].

The owner of merchandise is more rightful to set up the price for his merchandise.’”

كَانَ أَبُو أُمَامَةَ صَاحِبُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ فَقَدْ طَابَ مَكْسَبُهُ إِذَا اشْتَرَى لَمْ يَعِبْ وَ إِذَا بَاعَ لَمْ يَحْمَدْ وَ لَا يُدَلِّسُ وَ فِيمَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ لَا يَحْلِفُ.

“One who has four things his earning is fine: When buying does not belittle the merchandise, when selling does not admire the merchandise, does not adulterate and in between does not swear.’””

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي صَاحِبُ نَخْلٍ فَخَبِّرْنِي بِحَدٍّ أَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ فِيهِ مِنَ الْوَفَاءِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع انْوِ الْوَفَاءَ فَإِنْ أَتَى عَلَى يَدِكَ وَ قَدْ نَوَيْتَ الْوَفَاءَ نُقْصَانٌ كُنْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْوَفَاءِ وَ إِنْ نَوَيْتَ النُّقْصَانَ ثُمَّ أَوْفَيْتَ كُنْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ النُّقْصَانِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I own palm trees. Instruct me how to be proper in my giving and taking.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Keep your intention to maintain it (crop) properly fair; if despite such intention, less proper fairness takes place, you are of those who maintain it properly. On the other han

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْبَيِّعَانِ بِالْخِيَارِ حَتَّى يَفْتَرِقَا وَ صَاحِبُ الْحَيَوَانِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ قُلْتُ الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الْمَتَاعَ ثُمَّ يَدَعُهُ عِنْدَهُ وَ يَقُولُ حَتَّى نَأْتِيَكَ بِثَمَنِهِ قَالَ إِنْ جَاءَ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَ إِلَّا فَلَا بَيْعَ لَهُ.

“The buyer and the seller each has the choice to dismiss a contract before they depart each other. In a deal for animals it is for three days . 55 5 I then asked, ‘What happens if a man buys something from another man and leaves it with the seller to keep until his return with the purchase price ? 5 He (the Imam) said,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْبَيِّعَانِ بِالْخِيَارِ حَتَّى يَفْتَرِقَا وَ صَاحِبُ الْحَيَوَانِ بِالْخِيَارِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Both buyer and seller, each one of them, has the choice to dismiss a deal before they depart each other; and in a deal for an animal the choice to retur

آتِيكَ غَداً إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَسُرِقَ الْمَتَاعُ مِنْ مَالِ مَنْ يَكُونُ قَالَ مِنْ مَالِ صَاحِبِ الْمَتَاعِ الَّذِي هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ حَتَّى يُقَبِّضَ الْمَتَاعَ وَ يُخْرِجَهُ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ فَإِذَا أَخْرَجَهُ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ فَالْمُبْتَاعُ ضَامِنٌ لِحَقِّهِ حَتَّى يَرُدَّ مَالَهُ إِلَيْهِ‌[1].

It is the property of the seller until the buyer takes possession and it is taken away from the seller’s house. When this happens the buyer is responsible until he returns it back to the seller.’”

اشْتَرَيْتُ مَحْمِلًا فَأَعْطَيْتُ بَعْضَ ثَمَنِهِ وَ تَرَكْتُهُ عِنْدَ صَاحِبِهِ ثُمَّ احْتُبِسْتُ أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ جِئْتُ إِلَى بَائِعِ الْمَحْمِلِ لآِخُذَهُ فَقَالَ قَدْ بِعْتُهُ فَضَحِكْتُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ‌ لَا أَدَعُكَ أَوْ أُقَاضِيَكَ فَقَالَ لِي تَرْضَى بِأَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ عَيَّاشٍ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَأَتَيْنَاهُ فَقَصَصْنَا عَلَيْهِ قِصَّتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِقَوْلِ مَنْ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أَقْضِيَ بَي

“I once purchased a carriage and paid a certain amount of the price, then left it with the seller. I remained engaged for several days then went to the seller to take possession. He said, ‘I have sold it.’ I laughed and said, ‘By Allah, I will not allow you to do this without asking for a judgment.’ He said, ‘Will you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْتَرِي الطَّعَامَ فَأَضَعُ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَ أَرْبَحُ فِي آخِرِهِ فَأَسْأَلُ صَاحِبِي أَنْ يَحُطَّ عَنِّي فِي كُلِّ كُرٍّ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَقَالَ هَذَا لَا خَيْرَ فِيهِ وَ لَكِنْ يَحُطُّ عَنْكَ جُمْلَةً قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَطَّ عَنِّي أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا وَضِعْتُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَأُخْرِجُ الْكُرَّ وَ الْكُرَّيْنِ فَيَقُولُ الرَّجُلُ أَعْطِنِيهِ بِكَيْلِكَ فَقَالَ إِذَا ائْتَمَنَك

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I buy food in a deal in the beginning of which I lose and in the end I gain profit. I then ask my friend to reduce a certain amount on each kur. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is nothing good in it, however, he can reduce a certain sum.’ I then asked, ‘Can he reduce more than I h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْقَوْمِ يَدْخُلُونَ السَّفِينَةَ يَشْتَرُونَ الطَّعَامَ فَيَتَسَاوَمُونَ بِهَا ثُمَّ يَشْتَرِي رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَيَتَسَاءَلُونَهُ فَيُعْطِيهِمْ مَا يُرِيدُونَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَيَكُونُ صَاحِبُ الطَّعَامِ هُوَ الَّذِي يَدْفَعُهُ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ يَقْبِضُ الثَّمَنَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ مَا أَرَاهُمْ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ شَرِكُوهُ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الطَّعَامِ يَدْعُو كَيَّالًا فَيَكِيلُهُ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a people who embark in a ship and buy food and bargain about it. Then one man buys from them. They ask him and he gives them what they ask for of food. So he who collects payment and gives them food becomes the owner of food. He (the Imam)

فِي رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى طَعَاماً كُلَّ كُرٍّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَارْتَفَعَ الطَّعَامُ أَوْ نَقَصَ وَ قَدِ اكْتَالَ بَعْضَهُ فَأَبَى صَاحِبُ الطَّعَامِ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ لَهُ مَا بَقِيَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا لَكَ مَا قَبَضْتَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ يَوْمَ اشْتَرَاهُ سَاعَرَهُ عَلَى أَنَّهُ لَهُ فَلَهُ مَا بَقِيَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ إِنَّمَا اشْتَرَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَشْتَرِطْ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ لَهُ بِقَدْرِ مَا نَقَدَ.

“About the case of a man who buys food, every kur (a certain amount) for a certain price, then prices rise or fall when he has measured only a certain part, and the owner of food refuses to deliver to him the rest, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If on the day of purchase he has priced the food and that the food is h

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَسْلَمَ دَرَاهِمَهُ فِي خَمْسَةِ مَخَاتِيمَ مِنْ حِنْطَةٍ أَوْ شَعِيرٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَ كَانَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْحِنْطَةُ وَ الشَّعِيرُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَنْ يَقْضِيَهُ جَمِيعَ الَّذِي لَهُ إِذَا حَلَّ فَسَأَلَ صَاحِبَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ نِصْفَ الطَّعَامِ أَوْ ثُلُثَهُ أَوْ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ وَ يَأْخُذَ رَأْسَ مَالِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ د

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who makes advance payment in exchange for five Mukhatim (a container) of wheat or barley for an appointed time but the party cannot deliver all that he owes on due time, and he asks the other party to accept half of the foodstuff or one-third or less or mor

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْعِينَةِ وَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ عَامَّةَ تُجَّارِنَا الْيَوْمَ يُعْطُونَ الْعِينَةَ فَأَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ كَيْفَ تُعْمَلُ قَالَ هَاتِ قُلْتُ يَأْتِينَا الرَّجُلُ الْمُسَاوِمُ يُرِيدُ الْمَالَ فَيُسَاوِمُنَا وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَنَا مَتَاعٌ فَيَقُولُ أُرْبِحُكَ دَهْ يَازْدَهْ وَ أَقُولُ أَنَا دَهْ دَوَازْدَهْ فَلَا نَزَالُ نَتَرَاوَضُ حَتَّى نَتَرَاوَضَ عَلَى أَمْرٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغْنَا قُلْتُ لَهُ أَي

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about ‘Aynah saying, ‘Our merchants in general these days provide ‘Aynah. I like to explain how it is done. He (the Imam) said, ‘Go on and explain.’ I said, ‘A man comes who works in Musaxvamah (fixed price regardless of capital) who wants merchandise on the basis of Musawamah but we

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً بِثَمَنٍ مُسَمًّى ثُمَّ بَاعَهَا فَرَبِحَ فِيهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْقُدَ صَاحِبَهَا الَّذِي هِيَ لَهُ فَأَتَاهُ صَاحِبُهَا يَتَقَاضَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَنْقُدْ مَالَهُ فَقَالَ صَاحِبُ الْجَارِيَةِ لِلَّذِينَ بَاعَهُمْ اكْفُونِي غَرِيمِي هَذَا وَ الَّذِي رَبِحْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَهُوَ لَكُمْ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave-girl for a certain price, then sells her (on credit) and makes a profit before paying the owner. The owner comes and demands payment but he does not pay. The owner says to those who have bought her to pay him what th

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ شَارَكَ رَجُلًا فِي جَارِيَةٍ لَهُ وَ قَالَ إِنْ رَبِحْنَا فِيهَا فَلَكَ نِصْفُ الرِّبْحِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ وَضِيعَةٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لَا أَرَى بِهَذَا بَأْساً إِذَا طَابَتْ نَفْسُ صَاحِبِ الْجَارِيَةِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who shares a slave-girl with another man and says, ‘If we made profit half is for you, if it is a loss then there is nothing on you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not see anything unlawful in it if the owner of the slave-girl agrees without compulsion.’”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي الْغَنَمِ ثُنْيَانٍ وَ جُذْعَانٍ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْغَنَمُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ صَاحِبُ الْغَنَمِ نِصْفَهَا أَوْ ثُلُثَهَا أَوْ ثُلُثَيْهَا وَ يَأْخُذُوا رَأْسَ مَالِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ يَأْخُذُوا دُونَ شَرْطِهِمْ وَ لَا يَأْخُذُونَ فَوْقَ شَرْطِهِمْ وَ الْأَكْسِيَةُ أ

“Once abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) was asked about the case of a man who made an advanced payment to buy sheep of three and less than three years old, and others for an appointed time. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful if the one who must provide sheep cannot have all that he is responsible for; the buyer can have half,

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَسْلَمَ فِي وُصَفَاءِ أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ وَ غَيْرِ مَعْلُومَةٍ ثُمَّ يُعْطِي دُونَ شَرْطِهِ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْكَ وَ مِنْهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِفُ فِي الْغَنَمِ الثُّنْيَانَ وَ الْجُذْعَانَ وَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَيْهِ فَسُئِلَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made an advance payment for things of clearly described age and appointed time and not clearly described ages; then he was given below the condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is with fine consent from him and from you it is not

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّهْنِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ مَالِ الْمُرْتَهِنِ فَهَلَكَ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ الْفَضْلَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الرَّهْنِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَقَلَّ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَهَلَكَ الرَّهْنُ أَدَّى إِلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ فَضْلَ مَالِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الرَّهْنُ سَوَاءً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Rahn (security deposit). He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is more than what mortgagee has provided and it is destroyed, the difference must be paid to the mortgager; but if it is less and is destroyed, the one who has the extra must pay the difference to

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَرْهَنُ الْعَبْدَ أَوِ الثَّوْبَ أَوِ الْحُلِيَّ أَوْ مَتَاعاً مِنْ مَتَاعِ الْبَيْتِ فَيَقُولُ صَاحِبُ الْمَتَاعِ لِلْمُرْتَهِنِ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِنْ لُبْسِ هَذَا الثَّوْبِ فَالْبَسِ الثَّوْبَ وَ انْتَفِعْ بِالْمَتَاعِ وَ اسْتَخْدِمِ الْخَادِمَ قَالَ هُوَ لَهُ حَلَالٌ إِذَا أَحَلَّهُ وَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَفْعَلَ قُلْتُ فَارْتَهَنَ دَاراً لَهَا غَلَّةٌ[1] لِمَنِ الْغَلّ

“I once asked abu Ibrahim, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who left a slave, or clothes, or jewelries, or goods of the household as al-Rahn (security deposit) with someone, then said to mortgagee, ‘You have permission to wear the clothes so wear them and benefit from the goods and use the services of the serva

لَهُ أَعِرْنِي الذَّهَبَ الَّذِي رَهَنْتُكَ عَارِيَّةً فَأَعَارَهُ فَهَلَكَ الرَّهْنُ عِنْدَهُ أَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ لِصَاحِبِ الْقَرْضِ فِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ هُوَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الرَّهْنِ الَّذِي رَهَنَهُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَهْلَكَهُ وَ لَيْسَ لِمَالِ هَذَا تَوًى‌[3].

“About the case of a man, who borrows one hundred dinars and leaves as al-Rahn (security deposit) jewelries worth one hundred dinars, then comes to al-Rahn (security deposit) holder and asks him to lend him the gold which he has with him. Al-Rahn (security deposit) holder lends it to him and it is destroyed; if he owes

إِذَا اخْتَلَفَا فِي الرَّهْنِ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا رَهَنْتَهُ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ بِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ يُسْأَلُ صَاحِبُ الْأَلْفِ الْبَيِّنَةَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بَيِّنَةٌ حَلَفَ صَاحِبُ الْمِائَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الرَّهْنُ أَقَلَّ مِمَّا رُهِنَ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ وَ اخْتَلَفَا فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا هُوَ رَهْنٌ وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ هُوَ عِنْدَكَ وَدِيعَةٌ فَقَالَ يُسْأَلُ صَاحِبُ الْوَدِيعَةِ الْبَيِّن

“About the case of a dispute between the parties if one says that the amount of al-Rahn (security deposit) is one thousand dirham and the other says that it is one hundred dirham, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The one who claims it to be one thousand dirham is asked to present proof and testimony. If he fails to d

صَاحِبُ الرَّهْنِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ بِمِائَةٍ قَالَ الْبَيِّنَةُ عَلَى الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ الرَّهْنُ أَنَّهُ بِأَلْفٍ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بَيِّنَةٌ فَعَلَى الرَّاهِنِ الْيَمِينُ.

“It is the case of the parties of al-Rahn (security deposit) who dispute and there is no proof and testimony available for the parties involved. Al-Rahn (security deposit) holder claims it to be one thousand and the owner of al-Rahn (security deposit) claims it to be one hundred. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Rahn (

لِرَجُلٍ لِي عَلَيْكَ أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ لَا وَ لَكِنَّهَا وَدِيعَةٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْقَوْلُ قَوْلُ صَاحِبِ الْمَالِ مَعَ يَمِينِهِ.

“It is a case where one says that he is owed one thousand dirham and the other party says that it is Wadi‘ah (safe deposit). Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The words of the owner of the asset are accepted in addition to his taking oath.’”

صَاحِبُ الْوَدِيعَةِ وَ الْبِضَاعَةِ مُؤْتَمَنَانِ وَ قَالَ إِذَا هَلَكَتِ الْعَارِيَّةُ عِنْدَ الْمُسْتَعِيرِ لَمْ يَضْمَنْهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدِ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ إِذَا كَانَ مُسْلِماً عَدْلًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ ضَمَانٌ.

“About the case of a man who claims that Wadi‘ah (safe deposit) were entrusted assets, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a borrowed item is destroyed with the borrower he is not held liable unless it is stipulated.”’ In another Hadith it is said that if the borrower is a just Muslim he is not held liable.

لَهُ الرِّبْحُ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْوَضِيعَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يُخَالِفَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا أَمَرَهُ صَاحِبُ الْمَالِ‌[1].

“About the case of a man who works for Mudarabah (profit sharing), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He can have (his share of) the profit but is not liable for depreciation (loss) unless he violates the instructions of the owner of the assets.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ دَنَانِيرُ لِبَعْضِ خُلَطَائِهِ فَيَأْخُذُ مَكَانَهَا وَرِقاً فِي حَوَائِجِهِ وَ هُوَ يَوْمَ قُبِضَتْ سَبْعَةٌ وَ سَبْعَةٌ وَ نِصْفٌ بِدِينَارٍ وَ قَدْ يَطْلُبُ صَاحِبُ الْمَالِ بَعْضَ الْوَرِقِ وَ لَيْسَتْ بِحَاضِرَةٍ فَيَبْتَاعَهَا لَهُ مِنَ الصَّيْرَفِيِّ بِهَذَا السِّعْرِ وَ نَحْوِهِ ثُمَّ يَتَغَيَّرُ السِّعْرُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحْتَسِبَا حَتَّى صَارَتِ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who had with him a certain amount of dinars that belonged to a person of his associates for which he took wariq (dirham) from him for his needs; and the rate on that day was seven and seven and a half dirham for dinar. The owner of the asset asked for a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ قَرْيَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ وَ لَهُ فِيهَا عُلُوجٌ ذِمِّيُّونَ يَأْخُذُ مِنْهُمُ السُّلْطَانُ الْجِزْيَةَ فَيُعْطِيهِمْ يُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمْ خَمْسُونَ وَ مِنْ بَعْضِهِمْ ثَلَاثُونَ وَ أَقَلُّ وَ أَكْثَرُ فَيُصَالِحُ عَنْهُمْ صَاحِبُ الْقَرْيَةِ السُّلْطَانَ ثُمَّ يَأْخُذُ هُوَ مِنْهُمْ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يُعْطِي السُّلْطَانَ قَالَ هَذَا حَرَامٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had a large town in which he had taxpayer infidels from whom al-Sultan collected taxes and they paid to him fifty or thirty or more or less, each one. The owner of the town reached a settlement for them with al-Sultan and he coll

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع دَارٌ بَيْنَ قَوْمٍ اقْتَسَمُوهَا فَأَخَذَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ قِطْعَةً وَ بَنَاهَا وَ تَرَكُوا بَيْنَهُمْ سَاحَةً فِيهَا مَمَرُّهُمْ فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَاشْتَرَى نَصِيبَ بَعْضِهِمْ أَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ يَسُدُّ بَابَهُ وَ يَفْتَحُ بَاباً إِلَى الطَّرِيقِ أَوْ يَنْزِلُ مِنْ فَوْقِ الْبَيْتِ وَ يَسُدُّ بَابَهُ فَإِنْ أَرَادَ صَاحِبُ الطَّرِيقِ بَيْعَهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ أَحَقّ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a house which a certain people divided, each one took a piece, built and left in between a courtyard with the driveway on it. A man came and bought the share of someone among them; if he can do so. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so but

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَأْجَرَ رَجُلًا بِنَفَقَةٍ وَ دَرَاهِمَ مُسَمَّاةٍ عَلَى أَنْ يَبْعَثَهُ إِلَى أَرْضٍ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قَدِمَ أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ يَدْعُوهُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ الشَّهْرَ وَ الشَّهْرَيْنِ فَيُصِيبُ عِنْدَهُ مَا يُغْنِيهِ عَنْ نَفَقَةِ الْمُسْتَأْجِرِ فَنَظَرَ الْأَجِيرُ إِلَى مَا كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الشَّهْرِ إِذَا هُوَ لَمْ يَدْعُهُ فَكَافَأَهُ الَّذِي يَدْعُ

“This is concerning my question before abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who hires another man for a certain amount of wages and dirham to send him to a certain land. When he arrives in that land one of his friends invites him with who he stays for one or two months where he does not need to spend from the

اكْتَرَيْتُ بَغْلًا إِلَى قَصْرِ ابْنِ هُبَيْرَةَ ذَاهِباً وَ جَائِياً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ خَرَجْتُ فِي طَلَبِ غَرِيمٍ لِي فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ قُرْبَ قَنْطَرَةِ الْكُوفَةِ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبِي تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى النِّيلِ فَتَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ النِّيلِ فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُ النِّيلَ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبِي تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُ وَ ظَفِرْتُ بِهِ وَ فَرَغْتُ مِمَّا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْك

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad al-Hannat who has said the following: “I once rented a mule to Qasr ibn Hubayrah for both ways for so and so much amount. I left in search of my debtor and when I reached near the bridge of al-Kufah, I was informed that my d

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ لَهُ قَنَاةٌ فِي قَرْيَةٍ فَأَرَادَ رَجُلٌ أَنْ يَحْفِرَ قَنَاةً أُخْرَى إِلَى قَرْيَةٍ لَهُ كَمْ يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُمَا فِي الْبُعْدِ حَتَّى لَا يُضِرَّ بِالْأُخْرَى فِي الْأَرْضِ إِذَا كَانَتْ صُلْبَةً أَوْ رِخْوَةً فَوَقَّعَ ع عَلَى حَسَبِ أَنْ لَا يُضِرَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا بِالْأُخْرَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ وَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ لَهُ رَحًى عَلَى نَهَرِ قَ

He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘It is according to a measure that does not cause one to harm the other, by the will of Allah.’ I wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who had a flour mill on the canal of a village that belonged to a man and the owner of the village wanted to divert the water to his vi

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَتَى أَرْضَ رَجُلٍ فَزَرَعَهَا بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ‌ الزَّرْعُ جَاءَ صَاحِبُ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ زَرَعْتَ بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي فَزَرْعُكَ لِي وَ لَكَ عَلَيَّ مَا أَنْفَقْتَ أَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ أَمْ لَا فَقَالَ لِلزَّارِعِ زَرْعُهُ وَ لِصَاحِبِ الْأَرْضِ كِرَى أَرْضِهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who comes to the land of another man and cultivates it without the permission of the owner until it is time of harvests; and the owner comes and says, ‘You have cultivated my land without my permission so your plantation belongs to me

عَلَيْهِ الْكِرَاءُ وَ يُقَوِّمُ صَاحِبُ الدَّارِ الْغَرْسَ وَ الزَّرْعَ قِيمَةَ عَدْلٍ فَيُعْطِيهِ الْغَارِسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ اسْتَأْمَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ الْكِرَاءُ وَ لَهُ الْغَرْسُ وَ الزَّرْعُ يَقْلَعُهُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِهِ حَيْثُ شَاءَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Faddal from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah from Musa ibn ‘Ukayl al-Numayriy from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “About the case of a man who rents a house in which there is a garden, in the garden he plants palm trees and other fruit bearing trees and fruits and

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي النَّخْلَ لِيَقْطَعَهُ لِلْجُذُوعِ فَيَغِيبُ الرَّجُلُ وَ يَدَعُ النَّخْلَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ لَمْ يُقْطَعْ فَيَقْدَمُ الرَّجُلُ وَ قَدْ حَمَلَ النَّخْلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَمْلُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ صَاحِبُ النَّخْلِ كَانَ يَسْقِيهِ وَ يَقُومُ عَلَيْهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who purchases the palm tree to cut for its branches, but he disappears and leaves the palm tree in its original condition without doing anything about it, he comes only when the tree has already pollinated. He (the Imam) said, ‘The po

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ داوُدَ وَ سُلَيْمانَ إِذْ يَحْكُمانِ فِي الْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ الْقَوْمِ‌[3] فَقَالَ لَا يَكُونُ النَّفْشُ إِلَّا بِاللَّيْلِ إِنَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْحَرْثِ أَنْ يَحْفَظَ الْحَرْثَ بِالنَّهَارِ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْمَاشِيَةِ حِفْظُهَا بِالنَّهَارِ وَ إِنَّمَا رَعْيُهَا بِالنَّهَارِ وَ إِرْزَاقُهَا فَمَا أَفْسَدَتْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . and Dawud and Sulayman who judged about the plantation which was damaged by the sheep of the people.’ (21:78) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Such damage can happen only during the night. It is the responsibility of th