Poverty & Hardship

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ الدَّيْنُ وَ يَحْضُرُهُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ أَ يَقْضِي دَيْنَهُ أَوْ يَحُجُّ قَالَ يَقْضِي بِبَعْضٍ وَ يَحُجُّ بِبَعْضٍ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ إِلَّا بِقَدْرِ نَفَقَةِ الْحَجِّ فَقَالَ يَقْضِي سَنَةً وَ يَحُجُّ سَنَةً فَقُلْتُ أُعْطِيَ الْمَالَ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who owes a debt and he earns a certain amount; if he must pay the debt or perform al-Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘With a certain part he pays the debt and with other part performs al-Hajj.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if it is only enough for al-Hajj?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One y

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَكُونُ عَلَيَّ الدَّيْنُ فَيَقَعُ فِي يَدِيَ الدَّرَاهِمُ فَإِنْ وَزَّعْتُهَا بَيْنَهُمْ لَمْ يَبْقَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَ فَأَحُجُّ بِهَا أَوْ أُوَزِّعُهَا بَيْنَ الْغُرَّامِ‌[2] فَقَالَ تَحُجُّ بِهَا وَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَقْضِيَ عَنْكَ دَيْنَكَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the debt that I owe and I have a certain amount of dirham, which if I divide among the creditors, not anything will be left for al-Hajj expenses. He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform al-Hajj with it and appeal before Allah to pay off your debts.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَسْتَقْرِضُ وَ يَحُجُّ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِهِ مَالٌ إِنْ حَدَثَ بِهِ حَدَثٌ أُدِّيَ عَنْهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who borrows for al-Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he leaves behind an asset that can pay off his debt in case something happens to him, then it is not harmful.’”

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى كَعْبِ بْنِ عُجْرَةَ وَ الْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ مِنْ رَأْسِهِ وَ هُوَ مُحْرِمٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ تُؤْذِيكَ هَوَامُّكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَأُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ- فَمَنْ كانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضاً أَوْ بِهِ أَذىً مِنْ رَأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ‌[2] فَأَمَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يَحْلِقَ وَ جَعَلَ الصِّيَامَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ الصَّدَقَةَ عَلَى سِتَّةِ مَسَاك

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, passed by Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah. Lice spread from his head and he was in the state of Ihram. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘Do your bugs annoy you?’ He replied, ‘Yes,

إِنْ نَتَفَ الْمُحْرِمُ مِنْ شَعْرِ لِحْيَتِهِ وَ غَيْرِهَا شَيْئاً فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ مِسْكِيناً فِي يَدِهِ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one in the state of Ihram pulls out a hair from his beard or from other parts of his body, he must feed one destitute person in his hand (with one meal).”’

إِذَا أُحْصِرَ الرَّجُلُ فَبَعَثَ بِهَدْيِهِ فَآذَاهُ رَأْسُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْحَرَ هَدْيَهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَذْبَحُ شَاةً فِي الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي أُحْصِرَ فِيهِ أَوْ يَصُومُ أَوْ يَتَصَدَّقُ وَ الصَّوْمُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ مَسَاكِينَ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one becomes al-Mahsur (confined) and sends his offering then his head annoys him before the offering is slaughtered, he must slaughter a sheep wherever he is. Alternatively, he must fast or give charity. Fasting is three days and charity is to feed six destitute people each with a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ مُحْرِمٍ وَاقَعَ أَهْلَهُ فَقَالَ قَدْ أَتَى عَظِيماً قُلْتُ أَفْتِنِي فَقَالَ اسْتَكْرَهَهَا أَوْ لَمْ يَسْتَكْرِهْهَا قُلْتُ أَفْتِنِي فِيهِمَا جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ اسْتَكْرَهَهَا فَعَلَيْهِ بَدَنَتَانِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اسْتَكْرَهَهَا فَعَلَيْهِ بَدَنَةٌ وَ عَلَيْهَا بَدَنَةٌ وَ يَفْتَرِقَانِ مِنَ الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي كَانَ فِيهِ مَا كَانَ حَتَّى يَنْتَهِيَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who is in the state of Ihram and is involved in sexual relation with his wife. He (the Imam) said, ‘He has done a great awfull thing.’ I said, ‘Grant us a Fatwa.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I despise it, does he not despise it?’ I then said, ‘Grant us a Fatwa about both of them

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَجُلٍ مُحِلٍّ وَقَعَ عَلَى أَمَةٍ لَهُ مُحْرِمَةٍ قَالَ مُوسِرٌ أَوْ مُعْسِرٌ قُلْتُ أَجِبْنِي فِيهِمَا قَالَ هُوَ أَمَرَهَا بِالْإِحْرَامِ أَوْ لَمْ يَأْمُرْهَا أَوْ أَحْرَمَتْ مِنْ قِبَلِ نَفْسِهَا قُلْتُ أَجِبْنِي فِيهِمَا فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُوسِراً وَ كَانَ عَالِماً أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ وَ كَانَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَمَرَهَا بِالْإِحْرَامِ فَعَلَيْهِ بَدَنَةٌ وَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who is not in the state of Ihram and involves himself in sexual relation with his slave-girl who is in the state of Ihram. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is he affluent or poor?’ I replied, ‘I am a stranger about his condition.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Did he command her to assume t

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَظَرَ إِلَى سَاقِ امْرَأَةٍ فَأَمْنَى قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُوسِراً فَعَلَيْهِ بَدَنَةٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ فَبَقَرَةٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَقِيراً فَشَاةٌ أَمَا إِنِّي لَمْ أَجْعَلْ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْمَاءِ وَ لَكِنْ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّهُ نَظَرَ إِلَى مَا لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is in the state of Ihram, looks at the leg of a woman and discharges semen. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is affluent, he owes badanah; if he is not so much affluent, then it is a cow; if he is poor then it is a sheep. I do not place it on him because of semen but it is

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مُحْرِمٍ أَصَابَ نَعَامَةً أَوْ حِمَارَ وَحْشٍ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ بَدَنَةٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى بَدَنَةٍ قَالَ فَلْيُطْعِمْ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ قَالَ فَلْيَصُمْ ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً وَ الصَّدَقَةُ مُدٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مُحْرِمٍ أَصَابَ بَقَرَةً قَالَ عَلَيْهِ بَقَرَةٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى بَقَ

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is in the state of Ihram and he kills an ostrich or a wild donkey. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must pay one badanah.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if he cannot afford?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He must feed sixty destitute people.’ I asked, ‘What happens if he cannot afford?

عَلَيْهِ بَدَنَةٌ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً وَ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ قِيمَةُ الْبَدَنَةِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ إِطْعَامِ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً لَمْ يَزِدْ عَلَى إِطْعَامِ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً وَ إِنْ كَانَ قِيمَةُ الْبَدَنَةِ أَقَلَّ مِنْ إِطْعَامِ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا قِيمَةُ الْبَدَنَةِ[2].

“About a man who in the state of Ihram kills an ostrich, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He must pay one badanah; if he cannot afford then he must feed sixty destitute people.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If the value of badanah is more than feeding sixty destitute people, it is not obligatory to feed more than sixty; if it

إِذَا أَصَابَ الْمُحْرِمُ الصَّيْدَ وَ لَمْ يَجِدْ مَا يُكَفِّرُ مِنْ مَوْضِعِهِ الَّذِي أَصَابَ فِيهِ الصَّيْدَ قُوِّمَ جَزَاؤُهُ مِنَ النَّعَمِ دَرَاهِمَ ثُمَّ قُوِّمَتِ الدَّرَاهِمُ طَعَاماً لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى الطَّعَامِ صَامَ لِكُلِّ نِصْفِ صَاعٍ يَوْماً[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this rule about the following case of hunting. ‘If one in the state of Ihram kills an animal and does not find anything at that place for its expiation, he must evaluate a head of the cattle in terms of dirham. He then must evaluate dirham in terms of foodstuff. He must give half of a

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ بَيْضَ نَعَامَةٍ وَ هُوَ مُحْرِمٌ قَالَ يُرْسِلُ الْفَحْلَ فِي الْإِبِلِ عَلَى عَدَدِ الْبَيْضِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ الْبَيْضَ يَفْسُدُ كُلُّهُ وَ يَصْلُحُ كُلُّهُ قَالَ مَا يُنْتَجُ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ فَهُوَ هَدْيٌ بَالِغُ الْكَعْبَةِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُنْتَجْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ إِبِلًا فَعَلَيْهِ لِكُلِّ بَيْضَةٍ شَاةٌ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَالصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى عَشَرَةِ مَسَاك

about a man who is involved in hunting matters of the egg of ostrich while in the state of Ihram. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must send male camel on female camel equal to the number of eggs affected.’ I then said, ‘Eggs may all become spoiled or all of them may hatch.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever the product is, as offe

يُطْعِمُ تَمْرَةً وَ التَّمْرَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ جَرَادَةٍ.

“About a man who kills a locust while in the state of Ihram, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He must feed a date (to a destitute person), even though a date is better than a locust.’”

إِذَا دَنَوْتَ مِنَ الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ فَارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ وَ احْمَدِ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ اسْأَلِ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَتَقَبَّلَ مِنْكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَلِمِ الْحَجَرَ[1] وَ قَبِّلْهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ تُقَبِّلَهُ فَاسْتَلِمْهُ بِيَدِكَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ تَسْتَلِمَهُ بِيَدِكَ فَأَشِرْ إِلَيْهِ وَ قُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ أَمَانَتِي أَدَّيْتُهَا وَ مِيثَاقِي تَعَاهَدْتُهُ لِتَشْ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr and Safwan ibn Yahya has narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when you go close to the Black

طُفْ بِالْبَيْتِ سَبْعَةَ أَشْوَاطٍ وَ تَقُولُ فِي الطَّوَافِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي يُمْشَى بِهِ عَلَى طَلَلِ الْمَاءِ كَمَا يُمْشَى بِهِ عَلَى جَدَدِ الْأَرْضِ‌[4] وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي يَهْتَزُّ لَهُ عَرْشُكَ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي تَهْتَزُّ لَهُ أَقْدَامُ مَلَائِكَتِكَ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي دَعَاكَ بِهِ مُوسَى مِنْ جَانِبِ الطُّورِ فَاسْتَجَبْتَ لَهُ وَ أَلْقَ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one must walk seven times around the Ka'bah. During Tawaf, one should say, ‘O Allah, I appeal before You through Your name by which one walks on water just as one walks on hard land. I appeal before You through Your name for which Your Throne vibrates. I appeal before You through

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَقَفَ بِعَرَفَاتٍ فَلَمَّا هَمَّتِ الشَّمْسُ أَنْ تَغِيبَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَنْدَفِعَ‌[3] قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ وَ مِنْ تَشَتُّتِ الْأَمْرِ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا يَحْدُثُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ أَمْسَى ظُلْمِي مُسْتَجِيراً بِعَفْوِكَ وَ أَمْسَى خَوْفِي مُسْتَجِيراً بِأَمَانِكَ وَ أَمْسَى ذُلِّي مُسْتَجِيراً بِعِزِّكَ وَ أَمْسَى

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, stayed in ‘Arafat. At about sunset before moving fast said, “O Allah, I seek protection with You against poverty, chaotic affairs and the mischief that takes place during the night and day. It is even

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَإِذا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُها فَكُلُوا مِنْها وَ أَطْعِمُوا الْقانِعَ وَ الْمُعْتَرَّ قَالَ الْقَانِعُ الَّذِي يَقْنَعُ بِمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ وَ الْمُعْتَرُّ الَّذِي يَعْتَرِيكَ وَ السَّائِلُ الَّذِي يَسْأَلُكَ فِي يَدَيْهِ وَ الْبَائِسُ هُوَ الْفَقِيرُ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘When their sides reach the ground then eat thereof and feed to those contented and those who ask.’ (22:36) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said al-Qani‘ is one who becomes satisfied with what you give them. Al-Mu‘tar are those who find you, al-Sa’il are those

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَهْدَى هَدْياً فَانْكَسَرَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مَضْمُوناً وَ الْمَضْمُونُ مَا كَانَ فِي يَمِينٍ يَعْنِي نَذْراً أَوْ جَزَاءً فَعَلَيْهِ فِدَاؤُهُ قُلْتُ أَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ‌[4] فَقَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا هُوَ لِلْمَسَاكِينِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَضْمُوناً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قُلْتُ أَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ وَ رُوِيَ أَيْضاً أَنَّهُ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ مَضْمُوناً كَانَ أَوْ غَيْرَ م

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who offers an offering but it sustains damage. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is binding and obligatory such as because of swearing, or vow or as penalty, he owes ransom.’ I then asked, ‘Can he eat thereof?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, because it is for the destitute, if it is

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّكَ لَتُدْمِنُ الْحَجَّ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ- قَالَ فَلْيَكُنْ آخِرُ عَهْدِكَ بِالْبَيْتِ أَنْ تَضَعَ يَدَكَ عَلَى الْبَابِ وَ تَقُولَ الْمِسْكِينُ عَلَى بَابِكَ فَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَيْهِ بِالْجَنَّةِ.

Do you perform al-Hajj very often?’ I replied, £ Yes, I do so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘During your last farewell of the House, you should place your hand at the door and say, “The destitute is standing at Your door. Give him paradise as charity.’””

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَهْدَيْتُ جَارِيَةً إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ فَأُعْطِيتُ خَمْسَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَمَا تَرَى قَالَ بِعْهَا ثُمَّ خُذْ ثَمَنَهَا ثُمَّ قُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْحَائِطِ- حَائِطِ الْحِجْرِ ثُمَّ نَادِ وَ أَعْطِ كُلَّ مُنْقَطَعٍ بِهِ وَ كُلَّ مُحْتَاجٍ مِنَ الْحَاجِّ.

“Abu al-Hassan, has narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who has said that once a man came to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and said, ‘I have donated a slave-girl to al-Ka‘bah and I have received five hundred dinar; how do you consider it? He (the Imam) said, ‘Sell her and take the funds from her sale. Stand up near t

كَانَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقِفُ عَلَى قَبْرِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَيُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَشْهَدُ لَهُ بِالْبَلَاغِ وَ يَدْعُو بِمَا حَضَرَهُ ثُمَّ يُسْنِدُ ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ الْخَضْرَاءِ الدَّقِيقَةِ الْعَرْضِ‌[3] مِمَّا يَلِي الْقَبْرَ وَ يَلْتَزِقُ بِالْقَبْرِ وَ يُسْنِدُ ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ يَسْتَقْبِلُ الْقِبْلَةَ فَيَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي‌[4] وَ إِلَى قَبْرِ مُحَم

‘My father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would stand near the grave of the Holy Prophet and offer his Salam, testify to his preaching the messages of Allah and ask Allah for his wishes, as he wanted. He then liked to keep his back against the brightly green stone, which is next to the grave, stay attached to the grave wit

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ زِيَارَةَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَزُرْهُ وَ أَنْتَ حَزِينٌ مَكْرُوبٌ شَعِثٌ مُغْبَرٌّ جَائِعٌ عَطْشَانُ وَ سَلْهُ الْحَوَائِجَ وَ انْصَرِفْ عَنْهُ وَ لَا تَتَّخِذْهُ وَطَناً.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from certain individuals of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that if you wish to visit al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, you should visit him when you feel sad, faced with hardship, in an u

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَابٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ بَابُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ يَمْضُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ مَفْتُوحٌ وَ هُمْ مُتَقَلِّدُونَ بِسُيُوفِهِمْ وَ الْجَمْعُ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ‌[2] وَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ تُرَحِّبُ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَمَنْ تَرَكَ الْجِهَادَ أَلْبَسَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذُلًّا وَ فَقْراً فِي مَعِيشَتِهِ وَ مَحْقاً فِي دِينِهِ‌[3] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَغْنَى أُمَّتِي بِسَنَابِكِ خَيْل

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘In paradise there is a door which is called ‘the door of people serving in the army’. They walk to it and it is open and they h

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي رِسَالَةٍ إِلَى بَعْضِ خُلَفَاءِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا ضَيَّعَ الْجِهَادَ الَّذِي فَضَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْأَعْمَالِ وَ فَضَّلَ عَامِلَهُ عَلَى الْعُمَّالِ تَفْضِيلًا فِي الدَّرَجَاتِ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ لِأَنَّهُ ظَهَرَ بِهِ الدِّينُ وَ بِهِ يُدْفَعُ عَنِ الدِّينِ وَ بِهِ اشْتَرَى اللَّهُ‌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَ أَمْوالَهُمْ‌ بِالْجَن

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once wrote in a letter to a certain individual of the Amawide rulers the following: “Of his neglectfulness one example is his disregard of the duty of Jihad (serving in the army) which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has given preference over all other good deeds. He (Allah) has given p

دَخَلَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَرَأَى عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابَ بِيضٍ كَأَنَّهَا غِرْقِئُ الْبَيْضِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا اللِّبَاسَ لَيْسَ مِنْ لِبَاسِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ اسْمَعْ مِنِّي وَ عِ مَا أَقُولُ لَكَ فَإِنَّهُ خَيْرٌ لَكَ عَاجِلًا وَ آجِلًا إِنْ أَنْتَ مِتَ‌[2] عَلَى السُّنَّةِ وَ الْحَقِّ وَ لَمْ تَمُتْ عَلَى بِدْعَةٍ أُخْبِرُكَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ فِي زَمَانٍ مُقْفِرٍ جَدْ

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ غِنًى يَحْجُزُكَ عَنِ الظُّلْمِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ فَقْرٍ يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى الْإِثْمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘A wealth that keeps you away from injustice is better than poverty which leads you to commit sins.’”

إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَا أُحْسِنُ أَنْ أَعْمَلَ عَمَلًا بِيَدِي وَ لَا أُحْسِنُ‌ أَنْ أَتَّجِرَ وَ أَنَا مُحَارَفٌ مُحْتَاجٌ‌[1] فَقَالَ اعْمَلْ فَاحْمِلْ عَلَى رَأْسِكَ وَ اسْتَغْنِ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَدْ حَمَلَ حَجَراً عَلَى عَاتِقِهِ فَوَضَعَهُ فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ مِنْ حِيطَانِهِ وَ إِنَّ الْحَجَرَ لَفِي مَكَانِهِ وَ لَا يُدْرَى كَمْ عُمْقُهُ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ ث

“Once a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and said, ‘I am not good in working with my hands and I am not good in doing business, thus I am deprived and needy.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must work and carry it on your head and set yourself free from asking people for help. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensa

سَأَلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَصَابَتْهُ الْحَاجَةُ قَالَ فَمَا يَصْنَعُ الْيَوْمَ قِيلَ فِي الْبَيْتِ يَعْبُدُ رَبَّهُ قَالَ فَمِنْ أَيْنَ قُوتُهُ قِيلَ مِنْ عِنْدِ بَعْضِ إِخْوَانِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ اللَّهِ لَلَّذِي يَقُوتُهُ أَشَدُّ عِبَادَةً مِنْهُ.

‘He has become very needy.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘What is he doing today?’ It was said, ‘He is in his home worshipping his Lord.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘Wherefrom he receives for his living?’ It was said, ’It comes from a certain one of his brothers.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘By Allah, the one who pr

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ الْأَشْيَاءَ لَمَّا ازْدَوَجَتْ ازْدَوَجَ الْكَسَلُ وَ الْعَجْزُ فَنُتِجَا بَيْنَهُمَا الْفَقْرَ[2].

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘When things (works) double, laziness and failure join hands, and they both give birth to poverty.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- لِمُصَادِفٍ مَوْلَاهُ اتَّخِذْ عُقْدَةً أَوْ ضَيْعَةً فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ بِهِ النَّازِلَةُ أَوِ الْمُصِيبَةُ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهِ مَا يُقِيمُ عِيَالَهُ كَانَ أَسْخَى لِنَفْسِهِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, once said to his Mawla’, Musadif, ‘Find some real property or goods; when man faces hardship or misfortune, and then finds out that behind him there is something for support of his family, he feels more generous to allow his soul to depart (his body).”’

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع مَنْ طَلَبَ هَذَا الرِّزْقَ مِنْ حِلِّهِ لِيَعُودَ بِهِ‌[2] عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ عِيَالِهِ كَانَ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنْ غُلِبَ عَلَيْهِ‌[3] فَلْيَسْتَدِنْ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مَا يَقُوتُ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ قَضَاؤُهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ وِزْرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ-

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to me, ‘Whoever works to provide sustenance for himself and his family is considered a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If poverty over-powers him, he then should borrow upon the responsibility of Allah and His Messenger for his sustenance and his famil

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ مِنَّا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ يَتَبَلَّغُ‌[2] بِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يُطْعِمُهُ عِيَالَهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِمَيْسَرَةٍ فَيَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ أَوْ يَسْتَقْرِضُ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فِي خُبْثِ الزَّمَانِ‌[3] وَ شِدَّةِ الْمَكَاسِبِ أَوْ يَقْبَلُ الصَّدَقَةَ قَالَ يَقْضِي بِمَا عِنْدَهُ دَيْنَهُ وَ لَا يَأْكُلْ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا وَ عِنْدَهُ مَا يُ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one of us has a few things in his possession with which he meets his expenses and he also is indebted. Should he feed his family with that which he owns and wait until Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, grants him ease then pay his debts, or should he borrow on his back in di

لَا تُبَاعُ الدَّارُ وَ لَا الْجَارِيَةُ فِي الدَّيْنِ وَ ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لِلرَّجُلِ مِنْ ظِلٍّ يَسْكُنُهُ وَ خَادِمٍ يَخْدُمُهُ.

A house and a servant should not be sold to pay off a debt, because a man must have shelter to live in and a servant to serve him.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يُبَاعُ الدَّيْنُ بِالدَّيْنِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ’It is not lawful to buy a debt with debt (on credit).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ دَيْنٌ فَجَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَاشْتَرَاهُ مِنْهُ [بِعَرْضٍ‌] ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ إِلَى الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الدَّيْنُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَعْطِنِي مَا لِفُلَانٍ عَلَيْكَ فَإِنِّي قَدِ اشْتَرَيْتُهُ مِنْهُ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ الْقَضَاءُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَرُدُّ عَلَيْهِ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الدَّيْنُ مَالَهُ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ بِهِ مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي ل

The debtor can pay to the collector what he (the collector) has paid to the creditor.’”

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.’”

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَلَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنْ جَاءَ الْمَشْكُوُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا لِفُلَانٍ يَشْكُوكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَشْكُونِي أَنِّي اسْتَقْضَيْتُ مِنْهُ‌[2] حَقِّي قَالَ فَجَلَسَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مُغْضَباً ثُمَّ قَالَ كَأَنَّكَ إِذَا اسْتَقْضَيْتَ حَقَّكَ لَمْ تُسِئْ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا حَكَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- يَ

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman who has said the following: “Once, a man came to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), to complain before him (the Imam) against one of his companions. In a little while the defendant came in and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), a

قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا ع‌ فِي الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَالٌ فَيَجْحَدُهُ قَالَ إِنِ اسْتَحْلَفَهُ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْهُ بَعْدَ الْيَمِينِ شَيْئاً وَ إِنْ تَرَكَهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْتَحْلِفْهُ فَهُوَ عَلَى حَقِّهِ.

“About the case of a man to whom another person owes a certain amount of assets but denies such liability one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘If he (creditor) makes him (the debtor) to take an oath, thereafter he (the creditor) is not entitled to take anything from him (th

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الدَّيْنُ رِبْقَةُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُذِلَّ عَبْداً وَضَعَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ.

“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, ‘Debt is the loop of Allah on earth and when He wants to humiliate a person. He places it on his neck.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَحْبِسُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا الْتَوَى عَلَى غُرَمَائِهِ ثُمَّ يَأْمُرُ فَيَقْسِمُ مَالَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْحِصَصِ فَإِنْ أَبَى بَاعَهُ فَيَقْسِمُ يَعْنِي مَالَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would keep in custody a procrastinating debtor; then command to distribute his assets among his creditors proportionate to their shares, and if he (the debtor) disagreed, he (the Imam) sold his assets, then distributed it among his creditors.’”

الْغَائِبُ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ إِذَا قَامَتِ الْبَيِّنَةُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُبَاعُ مَالُهُ وَ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ وَ هُوَ غَائِبٌ وَ يَكُونُ الْغَائِبُ عَلَى حُجَّتِهِ إِذَا قَدِمَ وَ لَا يُدْفَعُ الْمَالُ إِلَى الَّذِي أَقَامَ الْبَيِّنَةَ إِلَّا بِكُفَلَاءَ[2] إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ مَلِيّاً.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The debt of an absent person is paid from his assets when enough proof is presented to prove his indebtedness. His assets are sold to make necessary payments in his absence and he faces the proof against him. One who has presented proofs receives payments upon providing guarantee and secu

أَنَّهُ كَرِهَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ وَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ صَرَّهَا[3] لَهُ إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

‘It is Makruh (undesirable) for a creditor to lodge with his debtor, even if he has already picked the amount he owes and has made it ready to pay, except for three days.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْزِلُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ وَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ لَا يَأْكُلُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who lodges with his debtor; if he can use his food. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so for three days but not for more than three days.”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَالٌ قَرْضاً فَيُعْطِيهِ الشَّيْ‌ءَ مِنْ رِبْحِهِ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يَقْطَعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ فَيَأْخُذَ مَالَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ شَرْطاً.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who is a debtor and pays a certain amount out of his profit to his creditor for fear of the creditor’s demand for payment, but there is no such condition between them. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful as long as it is not a condition.’”

لَهُ الَّذِي احْتَالَ بَرِئْتَ مِمَّا لِي عَلَيْكَ قَالَ إِذَا أَبْرَأَهُ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُبْرِئْهُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ عَلَى الَّذِي أَحَالَهُ‌[1]. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَدِيدٍ عَنْ جَمِيلٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“About the case of an assignment if the assignee says to the debtor, ‘I wave in your favor what you owe me because of the assignment, one of the two Imam 5 , (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al- Salam, has said, ‘If the assignee waves it in favor of the debtor he (assignee) loses the right to ask the debtor for

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُحِيلُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ أَ يَرْجِعُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا يَرْجِعُ عَلَيْهِ أَبَداً إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ أَفْلَسَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who assigns another man to collect a certain amount of dirham from his debtor; if the assignee can demand payment from the assignor. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he can never do so unless the debtor was bankrupt before assignment . 555

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا أَصَابَ الرَّجُلَ مِنَّا الضَّيْقُ أَوِ الشِّدَّةُ فَيُدْعَى إِلَى الْبِنَاءِ يَبْنِيهِ أَوِ النَّهَرِ يَكْرِيهِ‌[2] أَوِ الْمُسَنَّاةِ يُصْلِحُهَا فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أُحِبُّ أَنِّي عَقَدْتُ لَهُمْ عُقْدَةً أَوْ وَكَيْتُ لَهُمْ وِكَاءً[3] وَ إِنَّ

‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, one of us may face hardship and straitened conditions and is called to construct a building, work a canal or a dam. What is your decision in such case? He (the Imam) replied, ‘I do not like it. I have knotted for them a knot and tied down the opening end of the bag of ‘no’. It is no a

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً أَسْتَأْذِنُهُ فِي عَمَلِ السُّلْطَانِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ كِتَابٍ كَتَبْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ أَذْكُرُ أَنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَى خَبْطِ عُنُقِي‌[1] وَ أَنَّ السُّلْطَانَ يَقُولُ لِي إِنَّكَ رَافِضِيٌّ وَ لَسْنَا نَشُكُّ فِي أَنَّكَ تَرَكْتَ الْعَمَلَ لِلسُّلْطَانِ لِلرَّفْضِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع قَدْ فَهِمْتُ كِتَابَكَ وَ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَإ

“I wrote to abu al-Hassan, al-Rida 5 (a.s.), for fourteen years asking his permission to work for Sultan. In the last letter I wrote saying that I fear for my life if I did not work for the Sultan, because he calls me a Rafidiy (rejecter) saying, ‘We have no doubt that you have refused to work for the Sultan because of

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي يَدِهِ مَالٌ لِأَيْتَامٍ فَيَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَمُدُّ يَدَهُ فَيَأْخُذُهُ وَ يَنْوِي أَنْ يَرُدَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ إِلَّا الْقَصْدَ لَا يُسْرِفُ‌[3] فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ أَنْ لَا يَرُدَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَهُوَ بِالْمَنْزِلِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوالَ الْيَتامى‌ ظُلْماً[4].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who in his hand has properties of orphans and is needy. He extends his hand to take a certain amount with the intention to return. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not proper for him to consume it, except with moderation and without excess; but if his intention is n