Poverty & Hardship

مَنْ كَانَ يَلِي شَيْئاً لِلْيَتَامَى وَ هُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ لَيْسَ لَهُ مَا يُقِيمُهُ فَهُوَ يَتَقَاضَى أَمْوَالَهُمْ‌[3] وَ يَقُومُ فِي ضَيْعَتِهِمْ فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِقَدَرٍ وَ لَا يُسْرِفْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ ضَيْعَتُهُمْ لَا تَشْغَلُهُ عَمَّا يُعَالِجُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَلَا يَرْزَأَنَّ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ شَيْئاً.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘One who is poor can eat to the proper limit’, (4:6) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is one who manages the properties of orphans but is needy and does not have anything to support himself. He collects debts that people owe to them (orphans) and looks after

ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ يَحْبِسُ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ الْمَعِيشَةِ فَلَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ إِذَا كَانَ يُصْلِحُ لَهُمْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ الْمَالُ قَلِيلًا فَلَا يَأْكُلْ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنْ تُخالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوانُكُمْ‌ قَالَ تُخْرِجُ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَكْفِيهِمْ وَ تُخْرِجُ مِنْ مَالِكَ قَدْرَ مَا يَكْفِيكَ ثُمَّ تُنْفِقُهُ قُلْتُ أَ

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘One who is poor can eat within the proper limits’, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He is a man who holds himself back from making his living (to help the orphans). It is not harmful if he eats within the proper limits when he looks after their properties. If t

فِي رَجُلٍ عِنْدَهُ مَالُ الْيَتِيمِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْتَاجاً وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَلَا يَمَسَّ مَالَهُ وَ إِنْ [هُوَ] اتَّجَرَ بِهِ فَالرِّبْحُ لِلْيَتِيمِ وَ هُوَ ضَامِنٌ.

‘If he is poor and has no assets of his own, he must not touch the assets of the orphan; and if he uses it in business, he is responsible for it and the profit belongs to the orphan.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ أَخْلَفَ بِالْأَمَانَةِ وَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْأَمَانَةُ تَجْلِبُ الرِّزْقَ وَ الْخِيَانَةُ تَجْلِبُ الْفَقْرَ.

“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, ‘One who does not keep a trust safely is not of our people/ The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Trustworthiness attracts wealth and treachery attracts pove

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.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ الْفَقِيرُ يُهْدِي إِلَيَّ الْهَدِيَّةَ يَتَعَرَّضُ لِمَا عِنْدِي فَآخُذُهَا وَ لَا أُعْطِيهِ شَيْئاً أَ يَحِلُّ لِي قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ لَكَ حَلَالٌ وَ لَكِنْ لَا تَدَعْ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ‌[2].

“I once asked him (the Imam) about a poor man who presents to me a gift seeking nearness to me thereby and I accept it and do not give him anything as a gift. Is this lawful for me?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is lawful for you, however, you must not neglect to give him something.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ شِرَاءُ الْحِنْطَةِ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ شِرَاءُ الدَّقِيقِ يُنْشِئُ الْفَقْرَ وَ شِرَاءُ الْخُبْزِ مَحْقٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَبْقَاكَ اللَّهُ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى شِرَاءِ الْحِنْطَةِ قَالَ ذَاكَ لِمَنْ يَقْدِرُ وَ لَا يَفْعَلُ.

’Buying wheat removes poverty but buying flour brings poverty and buying bread is destruction.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to grant you long life, what about one who is not able to buy wheat?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’That is for one who is capable but does not do so.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا الصَّبَّاحِ شِرَاءُ الدَّقِيقِ ذُلٌّ وَ شِرَاءُ الْحِنْطَةِ عِزٌّ وَ شِرَاءُ الْخُبْزِ فَقْرٌ فَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O abu al-Sabbah, buying flour is humiliation, buying wheat is honor and buying bread is poverty; we seek protection with Allah against poverty.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ يُعَيَّنُ ثُمَّ حَلَّ دَيْنُهُ فَلَمْ يَجِدْ مَا يَقْضِي أَ يَتَعَيَّنُ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ الَّذِي عَيَّنَهُ وَ يَقْضِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man who is engaged in an al- ’Aynah deal and the payment date has become due but he cannot find anything to pay back his debt; if he can arrange another al- ’Aynah with the same creditor again.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so again.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَوْدَعَ رَجُلًا أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ فَضَاعَتْ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ كَانَتْ عِنْدِي وَدِيعَةً وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ إِنَّمَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْكَ قَرْضاً قَالَ الْمَالُ لَازِمٌ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُقِيمَ الْبَيِّنَةَ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ وَدِيعَةً.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who borrowed one thousand dirham and it was lost and he said that it was Wadi ‘ah (safe deposit) with him and the other said that it was a debt on him. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is responsible for it unless he presents proof that it was Wadi ‘ah (safe deposit).”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَمَّا يُكْنَسُ مِنَ التُّرَابِ فَأَبِيعُهُ فَمَا أَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِهِ فَإِمَّا لَكَ وَ إِمَّا لِأَهْلِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ فِيهِ ذَهَباً وَ فِضَّةً وَ حَدِيداً فَبِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَبِيعُهُ قَالَ بِعْهُ بِطَعَامٍ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لِي قَرَابَةٌ مُحْتَاجٌ أُعْطِيهِ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[2].

“I (jewelry maker) once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what was swept from the soil (in his shop) and I sold it and what to do about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give it as charity; it is your thing or that of your family.’ I then said, ‘There is gold, silver and iron in it. How should I sell?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Sel

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لِي عَلَيْهِ الدَّرَاهِمُ فَيُعْطِينِي الْمُكْحُلَةَ فَقَالَ الْفِضَّةُ بِالْفِضَّةِ وَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ كُحْلٍ فَهُوَ دَيْنٌ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يَرُدَّهُ عَلَيْكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who owed me a certain amount of dirham and gave me a container of al-Kohl. He (the Imam) said, ‘Silver is for silver and al-Kohl in it is a debt on him until he returns it to you on the Day of Judgment.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَقْرَضَ رَجُلًا دَرَاهِمَ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ أَجْوَدَ مِنْهَا بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسِهِ وَ قَدْ عَلِمَ الْمُسْتَقْرِضُ وَ الْقَارِضُ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا أَقْرَضَهُ لِيُعْطِيَهُ أَجْوَدَ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِذَا طَابَتْ نَفْسُ الْمُسْتَقْرِضِ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who gave a loan to another man who paid it back with better dirhams without compulsion, and the creditor knew it as well as the debtor that the loan was given to receive payment with the better dirhams. He (the Imam) said, it is not unlawful.’”

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

كَانَ أَذِنَ لِغُلَامٍ لَهُ فِي الشِّرَاءِ وَ الْبَيْعِ فَأَفْلَسَ وَ لَزِمَهُ دَيْنٌ فَأُخِذَ بِذَلِكَ الدَّيْنِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ وَ لَيْسَ يُسَاوِي ثَمَنُهُ مَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ فَسَأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنْ بِعْتَهُ لَزِمَكَ الدَّيْنُ وَ إِنْ أَعْتَقْتَهُ لَمْ يَلْزَمْكَ الدَّيْنُ فَأَعْتَقَهُ فَلَمْ يَلْزَمْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ[1].

If you sell him you are responsible for the debt, but if you set him free you are not responsible for the debt.’ He set him free and he was not held responsible for anything.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً وَ تَرَكَ عَبْداً لَهُ مَالٌ فِي التِّجَارَةِ وَ وَلَداً وَ فِي يَدِ الْعَبْدِ مَالٌ وَ مَتَاعٌ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ اسْتَدَانَهُ الْعَبْدُ فِي حَيَاةِ سَيِّدِهِ فِي تِجَارَتِهِ وَ إِنَّ الْوَرَثَةَ وَ غُرَمَاءَ الْمَيِّتِ اخْتَصَمُوا فِيمَا فِي يَدِ الْعَبْدِ مِنَ الْمَالِ وَ الْمَتَاعِ وَ فِي رَقَبَةِ الْعَبْدِ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْوَرَث

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies owing a certain amount of debts and leaves behind a slave who has his assets in business and a son. In the hand of the slave he leaves the assets, goods and debts owed by the slave which he had incurred during the lifetime of

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مُؤْمِنٌ فَقِيرٌ شَدِيدُ الْحَاجَةِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصُّفَّةِ وَ كَانَ مُلَازِماً لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ مَوَاقِيتِ الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا لَا يَفْقِدُهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَرِقُّ لَهُ وَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى حَاجَتِهِ وَ غُرْبَتِهِ فَيَقُولُ يَا سَعْدُ لَوْ قَدْ جَاءَنِي شَيْ‌ءٌ لَأَغْنَيْتُكَ قَالَ فَأَبْطَأَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى ر

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘During the time of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, there was a believing man, poor and very needy of the people of the platform (in front of Masjid). He always kept very close to the Messenge

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَرَكَ التَّزْوِيجَ مَخَافَةَ الْعَيْلَةِ فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ ظَنَّهُ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَراءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[1].

“He (the Imam) (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, ‘One who neglects marriage because of his fear to feed his dependents has become cynical about Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, who has said, “If they

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَأَمَرَهُ بِالتَّزْوِيجِ قَالَ فَاشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الْحَاجَةُ فَأَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ اشْتَدَّتْ بِيَ الْحَاجَةُ فَقَالَ فَفَارِقْ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ فَقَالَ أَثْرَيْتُ وَ حَسُنَ حَالِي‌[2] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَمَرْتُكَ بِأَمْرَيْنِ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِمَا ق

“Once I was with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came and complained before him (the Imam) about his financial conditions. He (the Imam) commanded him to get married but his needs became more pressing and he came back again to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who asked about his conditions. He replied that it has worsened. He

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَحَلَّ الْفَرْجَ لِعِلَلِ مَقْدُرَةِ الْعِبَادِ فِي الْقُوَّةِ عَلَى الْمَهْرِ وَ الْقُدْرَةِ عَلَى الْإِمْسَاكِ فَقَالَ‌ فَانْكِحُوا ما طابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّساءِ مَثْنى‌ وَ ثُلاثَ وَ رُباعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَواحِدَةً أَوْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنْكُمْ طَوْلًا أَنْ يَنْكِحَ الْمُحْصَناتِ الْمُؤْمِناتِ فَمِنْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most High has made marriage lawful on the basis of His servants’ ability to pay mahr (dower) and their ability to provide maintenance, so He has said, “Marry wh

أَنَّ ضُرَيْساً كَانَتْ تَحْتَهُ بِنْتُ حُمْرَانَ فَجَعَلَ لَهَا أَنْ لَا يَتَزَوَّجَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَنْ لَا يَتَسَرَّى أَبَداً فِي حَيَاتِهَا وَ لَا بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا عَلَى أَنْ جَعَلَتْ لَهُ هِيَ أَنْ لَا تَتَزَوَّجَ بَعْدَهُ وَ جَعَلَا عَلَيْهِمَا مِنَ الْهَدْيِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْبُدْنِ وَ كُلَّ مَالِهِمَا فِي الْمَسَاكِينِ إِنْ لَمْ يَفِ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ أَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع

“Durays was married to the daughter of Humran with the condition that he will not marry a second wife on her and will never do anything secretly against her in her lifetime and after her death and a condition on her not to marry anyone after him. They set upon each other the condition of offering sacrifice, al-Hajj, an

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ أَ يَصْلُحُ لِي أَنْ أُوَاقِعَهَا وَ لَمْ أَنْقُدْهَا مِنْ مَهْرِهَا شَيْئاً قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّمَا هُوَ دَيْنٌ عَلَيْكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about forming marriage terms with a woman; if I can go to bed with her without paying her anything in cash of her mahr (dower). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so, it is only a debt on you.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ أَدْخُلُ بِهَا وَ لَا أُعْطِيهَا شَيْئاً قَالَ نَعَمْ يَكُونُ دَيْناً لَهَا عَلَيْكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if I can marry and go to bed with her without paying anything. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so and it is a debt on you.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ فَلَا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ مَا يُعْطِيهَا فَيَدْخُلُ بِهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ دَيْنٌ لَهَا عَلَيْهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman and does not have anything to pay her and then goes to bed with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful; it is a debt on him.’”

مُرْهَا فَتُحَلِّلُهَا يَطِيبُ اللَّبَنُ‌[1].

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Hisham Bin Sali, and Jameel Bin Darraj, and Sa’ad Bin Abu Khalaf, from Muhammad Bin Muslim, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws regarding a wife of the man who happens to have a servant for her who had been immoral, so he became needy to her milk. He

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ لِرَجُلٍ أَصْبَحْتَ صَائِماً قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَأَطْعَمْتَ مِسْكِيناً قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَارْجِعْ إِلَى أَهْلِكَ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةٌ.

“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, once asked a man, ‘Are you fasting this morning?’ The man replied, ‘No, I am not fasting.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘Have you fed a destitute person?’ He

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَقُّ الْمَرْأَةِ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا قَالَ يَسُدُّ جَوْعَتَهَا وَ يَسْتُرُ عَوْرَتَهَا وَ لَا يُقَبِّحُ لَهَا وَجْهاً- فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَ اللَّهِ أَدَّى حَقَّهَا قُلْتُ فَالدُّهْنُ قَالَ غِبّاً يَوْمٌ وَ يَوْمٌ لَا قُلْتُ فَاللَّحْمُ‌ قَالَ فِي كُلِّ ثَلَاثَةٍ فَيَكُونُ فِي الشَّهْرِ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ لَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَالصِّبْغُ قَالَ وَ الصِّبْغُ فِي كُلِّ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the rights of women on their husbands. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must provide for her sufficient food, sufficient clothes to maintain her dignity and must not make a repugnant face on her; and when he has followed these instructions he then by Allah has fulfilled her rights.’ I

لِلزَّانِي سِتُّ خِصَالٍ ثَلَاثٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ ثَلَاثٌ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَمَّا الَّتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا فَيَذْهَبُ بِنُورِ الْوَجْهِ وَ يُورِثُ الْفَقْرَ وَ يُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ وَ أَمَّا الَّتِي فِي الْآخِرَةِ فَسَخَطُ الرَّبِّ وَ سُوءُ الْحِسَابِ وَ الْخُلُودُ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his father who has said that one who commits fornication faces six troubling issues, of which three are in this world and three in the next life. In this world it takes away light and beauty from his face, brings poverty and quicker death. In the next life, it is the anger of A

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ فِي الزِّنَا خَمْسُ خِصَالٍ يَذْهَبُ بِمَاءِ الْوَجْهِ وَ يُورِثُ الْفَقْرَ وَ يَنْقُصُ الْعُمُرَ وَ يُسْخِطُ الرَّحْمَنَ وَ يُخَلِّدُ فِي النَّارِ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ النَّارِ.

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz ibn ‘Abd Allah from al-Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, 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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَزَوَّجُوا إِلَى آلِ فُلَانٍ فَإِنَّهُمْ عَفُّوا فَعَفَّتْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ وَ لَا تَزَوَّجُوا إِلَى آلِ فُلَانٍ فَإِنَّهُمْ بَغَوْا فَبَغَتْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ وَ قَالَ مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ أَنَا اللَّهُ قَاتِلُ الْقَاتِلِينَ وَ مُفْقِرُ الزَّانِينَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ لَا تَزْنُوا فَتَزْنِيَ نِسَاؤُكُمْ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu al-‘Abbas al-Kufiy and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Amr ibn ‘ Uthman from ‘Abd Allah al-Dihqan from Durust from ‘Abd al-Hamid who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and hi

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَدْخُلُ الْفَقْرُ بَيْتاً فِيهِ اسْمُ مُحَمَّدٍ أَوْ أَحْمَدَ أَوْ عَلِيٍّ أَوِ الْحَسَنِ أَوِ الْحُسَيْنِ أَوْ جَعْفَرٍ أَوْ طَالِبٍ أَوْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْ فَاطِمَةَ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ.

“I once heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘Poverty does not enter a house wherein a person’s name is Muhammad or Ahmad or Ali or al-Hassan or al-Husayn or Ja‘far or Talib or ‘Abd Allah or Fatimah of the women.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَهُ رَسُولُ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَقُولُ لَكَ عَمُّكَ إِنَّا طَلَبْنَا الْعَقِيقَةَ فَلَمْ نَجِدْهَا فَمَا تَرَى نَتَصَدَّقُ بِثَمَنِهَا فَقَالَ لَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ إِطْعَامَ الطَّعَامِ وَ إِرَاقَةَ الدِّمَاءِ.

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a messenger from his uncle came and said, ‘Your uncle says, “We tried to find ‘Aqiqah but could not find one. Do you think our giving its price in charity is sufficient?”’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Allah loves feeding of food and slaughtering animals (to feeding the needy).”’

وُلِدَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع غُلَامَانِ جَمِيعاً فَأَمَرَ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ لَهُ جَزُورَيْنِ لِلْعَقِيقَةِ[2] وَ كَانَ زَمَنُ غَلَاءٍ فَاشْتَرَى لَهُ وَاحِدَةً وَ عَسُرَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَدْ عَسُرَتْ عَلَيَّ الْأُخْرَى فَتَصَدَّقْ بِثَمَنِهَا فَقَالَ لَا اطْلُبْهَا حَتَّى تَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِهْرَاقَ الدِّمَاءِ وَ إِطْعَامَ الطَّعَ

"Two boys were born to Abu Ja'far (a.s.). So, he ordered Zaid ibn Ali to buy for him two sheep for the 'Aqiqah (the sacrifice for a newborn). It was a time when prices were high, so he bought one, and the other was difficult for him (to buy). He said to Abu Ja'far (a.s.): "The other one was difficult for me, so give ch

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ عَلَى الْمُعْسِرِ وَ الْمُوسِرِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى مَنْ لَا يَجِدُ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about ‘Aqiqah for one who is affluent and one who is poor. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not necessary for one who cannot find anything.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ عَنِ الْمَوْلُودِ كَيْفَ هِيَ قَالَ إِذَا أَتَى لِلْمَوْلُودِ سَبْعَةُ أَيَّامٍ يُسَمَّى بِالاسْمِ الَّذِي سَمَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[3] بِهِ ثُمَّ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ ذَهَباً أَوْ فِضَّةً وَ يُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ كَبْشٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُوجَدْ كَبْشٌ‌ أَجْزَأَهُ مَا يُجْزِئُ فِي الْأُضْحِيَّةِ وَ إِلَّا فَحَمَلٌ أَعْظَمُ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ حُمْلَانِ السَّنَةِ وَ

‘When a child is seven days old a name with which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has named him must be given to him, then his head must be shaved and equal to the weight of his hairs gold or silver should be given in charity. A ram should be slaughtered, and if a ram is not available then whatever is sufficient f

لَا تَأْكُلُ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنْ عَقِيقَةِ وَلَدِهَا وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تُعْطِيَهَا الْجَارَ الْمُحْتَاجَ مِنَ اللَّحْمِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The mother of the newborn should not eat from the meat of ‘Aqiqah but it is not harmful if she gives to the needy neighbor.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ إِنْ تَزَوَّجْتُ فُلَانَةَ فَهِيَ طَالِقٌ وَ إِنِ اشْتَرَيْتُ فُلَاناً فَهُوَ حُرٌّ وَ إِنِ اشْتَرَيْتُ هَذَا الثَّوْبَ فَهُوَ لِلْمَسَاكِينِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ لَا يُطَلِّقُ إِلَّا مَا يَمْلِكُ وَ لَا يَتَصَدَّقُ إِلَّا بِمَا يَمْلِكُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who says, ‘If I marry so and so woman she is divorced; if I buy so and so slave, he is free and if I buy this cloth it is for the destitute. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect; he cannot divorce until he is married and owns. He canno

إِنَّ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ قَالَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَعْدِلُ وَ أَنْتَ نَبِيٌّ فَقَالَ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكِ‌[1] إِذَا لَمْ أَعْدِلْ فَمَنْ يَعْدِلُ فَقَالَتْ دَعَوْتَ اللَّهَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِيَقْطَعَ يَدَيَّ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ لَتَتْرَبَانِ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّكَ إِنْ طَلَّقْتَنَا وَجَدْنَا فِي قَوْمِنَا أَكْفَاءَنَا فَاحْتَبَسَ الْوَحْيُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص تِسْعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that once Zaynab bint Jahash said to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, ‘You are not fair and you are the Prophet.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, ‘May your hands become soiled, ‘If I am not fair then

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ظَاهَرْتُ مِنِ امْرَأَتِي قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَأَعْتِقْ رَقَبَةً قَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَصُمْ‌ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتابِعَيْنِ‌ قَالَ لَا أَقْوَى قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَأَطْعِمْ‌ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً قَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنَا أَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْكَ فَأَعْطَاهُ تَمْراً لِإِطْعَامِ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً قَا

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that once a man came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have formed al-Zihar with my wife’. He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Go and set free a slave.’ H

سَأَلَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ ظَاهَرَ مِنْ أَرْبَعِ نِسْوَةٍ فَقَالَ يُكَفِّرُ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ كَفَّارَةً وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ ظَاهَرَ مِنِ امْرَأَتِهِ وَ جَارِيَتِهِ مَا عَلَيْهِ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا كَفَّارَةٌ عِتْقُ رَقَبَةٍ أَوْ صِيَامُ‌ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتابِعَيْنِ‌ أَوْ إِطْعَامُ‌ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً.

“Once, al-Husayn ibn Mehran asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who formed al-Zihar about four women. He (the Imam) said, ‘He owes expiation for each one.’ He asked him (the Imam) about a man who formed al-Zihar about his wife and his slave-girl and what must he pay. He (the Imam) said, ‘For each one he mu

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَقُولُ لِامْرَأَتِهِ هِيَ عَلَيْهِ كَظَهْرِ أُمِّهِ قَالَ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ أَوْ صِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ أَوْ إِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً وَ الرَّقَبَةُ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ صَبِيٌّ مِمَّنْ وُلِدَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ.

‘The expiation for it is setting free of a slave or fasting for two consecutive months or feeding sixty destitute people. For freeing a slave, a child born in Islam is sufficient.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ ظَاهَرَ مِنِ امْرَأَتِهِ ثُمَّ طَلَّقَهَا تَطْلِيقَةً فَقَالَ إِذَا طَلَّقَهَا تَطْلِيقَةً فَقَدْ بَطَلَ الظِّهَارُ وَ هَدَمَ الطَّلَاقُ الظِّهَارَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ امْرَأَتُهُ فَإِنْ رَاجَعَهَا وَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ مَا يَجِبُ عَلَى الْمُظَاهِرِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَتَمَاسَّا قُلْتُ فَإِنْ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى يَخْلُوَ أَجَلُهَا وَ تَمْلِكَ نَفْسَهَا

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who expresses the statement of al- Zihar about his wife, then divorces her once. He (the Imam) said, ’If he has divorced her once al-Zihar becomes void and divorce abolishes al-Zihar.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if he goes back to her?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes,

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُدَبِّرُ الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ هُوَ حَسَنُ الْحَالِ ثُمَّ يَحْتَاجُ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَبِيعَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا احْتَاجَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ.

Al Husayn Bin Muhammad, from Moala Bin Muhammad, from Al Washa whom said, ‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan Al-Reza asws the man who arranged (the emancipation of) the owned slave and he was of good (financial) condition. Then he became needy. Is it allowed for him to sell him?’ He asws said: ‘Yes, when he is need for that’.

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ دَبَّرَ مَمْلُوكَتَهُ ثُمَّ زَوَّجَهَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ آخَرَ فَوَلَدَتْ مِنْهُ أَوْلَاداً ثُمَّ مَاتَ زَوْجُهَا وَ تَرَكَ أَوْلَادَهُ مِنْهَا فَقَالَ أَوْلَادُهُ مِنْهَا كَهَيْئَتِهَا فَإِذَا مَاتَ الَّذِي دَبَّرَ أُمَّهُمْ فَهُمْ أَحْرَارٌ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَجُوزُ لِلَّذِي دَبَّرَ أُمَّهُمْ أَنْ يَرُدَّ فِي تَدْبِيرِهِ إِذَا احْتَاجَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ مَاتَتْ

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Ayoub, from Aban Bin Taghlub who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about a man who arranged (the emancipation of) his slave girl. Then he got her married to another man. So she gave birth to children from him. Then her husband died, and left the chi

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ دَبَّرَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ ثُمَّ احْتَاجَ إِلَى ثَمَنِهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَمْلُوكُهُ إِنْ شَاءَ بَاعَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ أَعْتَقَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ أَمْسَكَهُ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ فَإِذَا مَاتَ السَّيِّدُ فَهُوَ حُرٌّ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ.

And by his chain, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Ayoub Al Khazzaz, from Muhammad Bin Muslim who said, ‘I asked Abu Ja’far asws about a man who arranged (the emancipation of) an owned slave of his. Then he became needy to his price. So he asws said: ‘He is his slave, if he so desires to he sells him, and if he so desires to

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَاعَ مِنْ رَجُلٍ جَارِيَةً بِكَذَا إِلَى سَنَةٍ فَلَمَّا قَبَضَهَا الْمُشْتَرِي أَعْتَقَهَا مِنَ الْغَدِ وَ تَزَوَّجَهَا وَ جَعَلَ مَهْرَهَا عِتْقَهَا ثُمَّ مَاتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِشَهْرٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ كَانَ لِلَّذِي اشْتَرَاهَا إِلَى سَنَةٍ مَالٌ أَوْ عُقْدَةٌ تُحِيطُ بِقَضَاءِ مَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ فِي رَقَبَتِهَا فَإِنَّ عِتْقَهُ

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad, and Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, altogether, from Ibn Mahboub, from Hisham Bin Salim, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said: ‘Abu Abdullah asws was asked and I was present, about a man who sold a slave girl to a man with such (and such a price) for up to a yea

دَخَلَ ابْنُ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمُكَارِي عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبْلَغَ اللَّهُ مِنْ قَدْرِكَ أَنْ تَدَّعِيَ مَا ادَّعَى أَبُوكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا لَكَ أَطْفَأَ اللَّهُ نُورَكَ وَ أَدْخَلَ الْفَقْرَ بَيْتَكَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى عِمْرَانَ أَنِّي وَاهِبٌ لَكَ ذَكَراً فَوَهَبَ لَهُ مَرْيَمَ وَ وَهَبَ لِمَرْيَمَ عِيسَى ع- فَعِيسَى مِنْ مَرْيَمَ وَ مَرْيَم

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا أَزْرَعُ الزَّرْعَ لِطَلَبِ الْفَضْلِ فِيهِ وَ مَا أَزْرَعُهُ إِلَّا لِيَنَالَهُ الْمُعْتَرُّ وَ ذُو الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَنَالَهُ الْقُنْبُرَةُ مِنْهُ خَاصَّةً مِنَ الطَّيْرِ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘I do not work in plantation for gains except that I want this gain for the destitute, the needy and especially for the lark among birds/”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ طَعَامِ وَلِيمَةٍ يُخَصُّ بِهَا الْأَغْنِيَاءُ وَ يُتْرَكُ الْفُقَرَاءُ.

“Abu Ibrahim (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, prohibited feeding during a ceremony, only the rich and not the poor.’”

قَالَ: يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ الْوُضُوءُ قَبْلَ الطَّعَامِ وَ بَعْدَهُ يُذْهِبَانِ الْفَقْرَ قُلْتُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي يَذْهَبَانِ بِالْفَقْرِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَذْهَبَانِ بِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘O abu Hamzah, Wudu (washing) before and after eating food removes poverty.’ I then said, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, does it remove poverty?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it removes poverty.’”