قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ تَعَرَّضُوا لِلتِّجَارَةِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا غِنًى لَكُمْ عَمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Engage yourselves in business; it helps you become independent of what is in the hands of people.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي قَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَ السُّوقَ وَ فِي يَدِي شَيْءٌ قَالَ إِذاً يَسْقُطَ رَأْيُكَ وَ لَا يُسْتَعَانَ بِكَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ[2].
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I am thinking to quit doing business in market place while there is a certain amount of wealth in my hands.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Then your opinion becomes of no value and no one will seek help from you.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي قَدْ كَفَفْتُ عَنِ التِّجَارَةِ وَ أَمْسَكْتُ عَنْهَا قَالَ وَ لِمَ ذَلِكَ أَ عَجْزٌ بِكَ كَذَلِكَ تَذْهَبُ أَمْوَالُكُمْ لَا تَكُفُّوا عَنِ التِّجَارَةِ وَ الْتَمِسُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn’ Udhaynah from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I have quit doing business and have withdrawn thereof.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Why is that, are you helpless? This is how your
جَاءَتْ زَيْنَبُ الْعَطَّارَةُ الْحَوْلَاءُ إِلَى نِسَاءِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ص فَإِذَا هِيَ عِنْدَهُمْ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِذَا أَتَيْتِنَا طَابَتْ بُيُوتُنَا فَقَالَتْ بُيُوتُكَ بِرِيحِكَ أَطْيَبُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا بِعْتِ فَأَحْسِنِي وَ لَا تَغُشِّي فَإِنَّهُ أَتْقَى لِلَّهِ وَ أَبْقَى لِلْمَالِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once Zaynab al-‘Attarah al-Hawla’ visited the wives of the Holy Prophet, and the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, also came home when she was with his wives. The Holy Prophet said, ‘When you visit our houses t
دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ يَبِيعُ الدَّقِيقَ فَقَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ الْغِشَّ فَإِنَّ مَنْ غَشَّ غُشَّ فِي مَالِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ غُشَّ فِي أَهْلِهِ.
“Once, a man who sold flour came before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) said to him, ‘Beware of cheating; one who cheats in matters of properties, cheating takes place in his properties, if he does not have any property cheating takes place in his family (wife).”’
دَعَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَوْلًى لَهُ يُقَالُ لَهُ مُصَادِفٌ فَأَعْطَاهُ أَلْفَ دِينَارٍ وَ قَالَ لَهُ تَجَهَّزْ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَإِنَّ عِيَالِي قَدْ كَثُرُوا قَالَ فَتَجَهَّزَ بِمَتَاعٍ وَ خَرَجَ مَعَ التُّجَّارِ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَلَمَّا دَنَوْا مِنْ مِصْرَ اسْتَقْبَلَتْهُمْ قَافِلَةٌ خَارِجَةٌ مِنْ مِصْرَ فَسَأَلُوهُمْ عَنِ الْمَتَاعِ الَّذِي مَعَهُمْ مَا حَالُهُ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ مَتَاعَ الْ
“Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), called one of his servants named Musadif and gave him a thousand dinar. He (the Imam) told him to prepare for traveling to Egypt and added, ‘The number of my dependents has increased.’ He (the narrator) has said that the servant prepared certain items of merchandise along with the traders to go
لَمَّا صَارَتِ الْأَشْيَاءُ لِيُوسُفَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ ع جَعَلَ الطَّعَامَ فِي بُيُوتٍ وَ أَمَرَ بَعْضَ وُكَلَائِهِ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ بِعْ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ السِّعْرُ قَائِمٌ فَلَمَّا عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ يَزِيدُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ كَرِهَ أَنْ يَجْرِيَ الْغَلَاءُ عَلَى لِسَانِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ اذْهَبْ فَبِعْ وَ لَمْ يُسَمِّ لَهُ سِعْراً فَذَهَبَ الْوَكِيلُ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ اذْهَبْ فَبِعْ وَ ك
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When things were given in the control of Joseph ibn Ya’qub (a.s.), he placed the grain in houses (storage) and issued an order to his servants to sell for a price of such and such amount. Prices were fixed. When he learned that prices are high he disliked to speak of high prices and t
سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ احْتَاجَ إِلَى بَيْعِ دَارِهِ فَمَشَى إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِيعُكَ دَارِي هَذِهِ وَ تَكُونُ لَكَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ تَكُونَ لِغَيْرِكَ عَلَى أَنْ تَشْتَرِطَ لِي إِنْ أَنَا جِئْتُكَ بِثَمَنِهَا إِلَى سَنَةٍ أَنْ تَرُدَّ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهَذَا إِنْ جَاءَ بِثَمَنِهَا إِلَى سَنَةٍ رَدَّهَا عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهَا كَانَتْ فِيهَا غ
‘A man asked the Imam (a.s.), when I was present. A Muslim man needed to sell his house and he went to his brother and said. “I want to sell this house to you because I like it to be with you instead of being with others, with one condition that if within a year I come back with money to pay you, return it back to me.’
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.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نُخَالِطُ أُنَاساً مِنْ أَهْلِ السَّوَادِ وَ غَيْرِهِمْ فَنَبِيعُهُمْ وَ نَرْبَحُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعَشَرَةَ اثْنَا عَشَرَ وَ الْعَشَرَةَ ثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ وَ نُؤَخِّرُ ذَلِكَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَهُمْ السَّنَةَ وَ نَحْوَهَا وَ يَكْتُبُ لَنَا الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دَارِهِ أَوْ أَرْضِهِ بِذَلِكَ الْمَالِ الَّذِي فِيهِ الْفَضْلُ الَّذِي أَخَذَ مِنَّا شِرَاءً وَ قَدْ بَاعَ وَ قَبَضَ الثّ
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We meet people who live in tents far from cities and others. We sell to them certain things and make profit like ten, twelve or thirteen and for a payment after a year and so on. The buyer writes for us to leave his house or land if he did not come with payment. He has taken poss
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ بَيْعِ الثَّمَرَةِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ شِرَاؤُهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ طَلْعُهَا فَقَالَ لَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ مَعَهَا شَيْئاً غَيْرَهَا رَطْبَةً أَوْ بَقْلًا فَيَقُولَ أَشْتَرِي مِنْكَ هَذِهِ الرُّطْبَةَ وَ هَذَا النَّخْلَ وَ هَذَا الشَّجَرَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَخْرُجِ الثَّمَرَةُ كَانَ رَأْسُ مَالِ الْمُشْتَرِي فِي الرُّطْبَةِ وَ الْبَقْلِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ وَرَقِ الشَّجَرِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ ش
“I once asked him (the Imam) about selling fruits. ‘Is it permissible to buy fruits before they are formed?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘No, it is not permissible unless something else alongside is also purchased, like animal feed or vegetables when the buyer says, ‘I buy this much animal feed and dates from you and this t
كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيراً يَعْمَلُ لَهُ بِنَاءً أَوْ غَيْرَهُ وَ جَعَلَ يُعْطِيهِ طَعَاماً وَ قُطْناً وَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ تَغَيَّرَ الطَّعَامُ وَ الْقُطْنُ مِنْ سِعْرِهِ الَّذِي كَانَ أَعْطَاهُ إِلَى نُقْصَانٍ أَوْ زِيَادَةٍ أَ يَحْتَسِبُ لَهُ بِسِعْرِ يَوْمَ أَعْطَاهُ أَوْ بِسِعْرِ يَوْمَ حَاسَبَهُ فَوَقَّعَ ع يَحْتَسِبُ لَهُ بِسِعْرِ يَوْمٍ شَارَطَهُ فِي
‘A man has hired another man to work and build a structure for another person and he gives the worker food, cotton and other things; then the prices of food and cotton rise or fall and change from the day he gave him, if he can count on him with the price of the day of delivery or the price of the day of finalizing the
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
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَشْتَرِي الْمَتَاعَ بِنَظِرَةٍ فَيَجِيءُ الرَّجُلُ فَيَقُولُ بِكَمْ تَقَوَّمَ عَلَيْكَ فَأَقُولُ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَأَبِيعُهُ بِرِبْحٍ فَقَالَ إِذَا بِعْتَهُ مُرَابَحَةً كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ النَّظِرَةِ مِثْلُ مَا لَكَ قَالَ فَاسْتَرْجَعْتُ وَ قُلْتُ هَلَكْنَا فَقَالَ مِمَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأَنَّ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ثَوْبٌ إِلَّا أَبِيعُهُ مُرَابَحَةً يُشْتَرَى مِنِّي وَ لَوْ وُضِعْتُ مِنْ
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I buy goods with deferred payment for a certain time. A man comes to me and says, ‘What is the price.’ I say, ‘It is so and so amount.’ I then sell it to him with a certain amount of profit. He (the Imam) said, ‘When you sell it in the form of Murabahah (capital plus profit) he h
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
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَبَ مِنْ رَجُلٍ ثَوْباً بِعِينَةٍ- فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي وَ هَذِهِ دَرَاهِمُ فَخُذْهَا فَاشْتَرِ بِهَا فَأَخَذَهَا وَ اشْتَرَى ثَوْباً كَمَا يُرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِهِ لِيَشْتَرِيَهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ إِنْ ذَهَبَ الثَّوْبُ فَمِنْ مَالِ الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ الدَّرَاهِمَ قُلْتُ بَلَى فَقَالَ إِنْ شَاءَ اشْتَرَى وَ إِنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَشْتَرِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِ
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who asks another man for a cloth on the basis of ‘Aynah and he says, ‘I do not have it but take these dirhams and buy the cloth.’ He takes the dirhams and buys a cloth as he wants, then comes to him so that he buys it from him. He (t
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لِي عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ وَ هُوَ مُعْسِرٌ فَأَشْتَرِي بَيْعاً مِنْ رَجُلٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ عَلَى أَنْ أَضْمَنَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ لِلرَّجُلِ وَ يَقْضِيَنِي الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who owes a certain amount of debts and he is a Mu‘sir (unable to pay). Can I arrange for him to buy something from a man for an appointed time and guarantee in his favor so he can pay his debts (with the item just purchased for him) t
قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمَالُ قَدْ حَلَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ يَبِيعُهُ لُؤْلُؤَةً تَسْوَى مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ يُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ الْمَالَ إِلَى وَقْتٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قَدْ أَمَرَنِي أَبِي فَفَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ.
“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man to whom someone owes a certain amount of goods and payback time becomes due. His party sells to him a pearl worth a hundred dirham for a thousand dirham and extends the payback time to another appointed time. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful. My father comma
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُعَيِّنَهُ الْمَالَ وَ يَكُونُ لِي عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ فَيَطْلُبُ مِنِّي مَالًا أَزِيدُهُ عَلَى مَالِيَ الَّذِي لِي عَلَيْهِ أَ يَسْتَقِيمُ أَنْ أَزِيدَهُ مَالًا وَ أَبِيعَهُ لُؤْلُؤَةً تُسَاوِي مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَقُولَ أَبِيعُكَ هَذِهِ اللُّؤْلُؤَةَ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ عَلَى أَنْ أُؤَخِّرَكَ بِثَمَنِهَا وَ بِمَالِي عَلَيْكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا شَهْراً قَا
“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a man with whom I like to arrange an al-’Aynah. He already owes me a certain amount of goods. He asks me for additional goods. Is it right to provide him additional goods and sell to him a pearl worth a hundred dirham for a thousand dirham and I say, ‘I sell to you
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَبِيعُ الْمَتَاعَ بِنَسَاءٍ فَيَشْتَرِيهِ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ الَّذِي يَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَشْتَرِي مَتَاعِي فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُوَ مَتَاعَكَ وَ لَا بَقَرَكَ وَ لَا غَنَمَكَ. - أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ الْحَدَّادِ عَنْ بَشَّارِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع م
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who sells goods on credit with deferred payment, then buys them from the party to whom he has sold. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘Can I buy my own goods?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not your property, your c
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ لَهُ مَالٌ لِمَنْ مَالُهُ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلِمَ الْبَائِعُ أَنَّ لَهُ مَالًا فَهُوَ لِلْمُشْتَرِي وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلِمَ فَهُوَ لِلْبَائِعِ[1].
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave who owns assets; to whom such assets belong? He (the Imam) said, Tf the seller knows that the slave owns assets then such assets belong to the buyer but if he does not know then they belong to the seller.’”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَاعَ مَمْلُوكاً فَوَجَدَ لَهُ مَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ الْمَالُ لِلْبَائِعِ إِنَّمَا بَاعَ نَفْسَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّ مَا كَانَ لَهُ مِنْ مَالٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ فَهُوَ لَهُ.
“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a man who sells a slave and finds out that the slave owns assets. He (the Imam) said, ‘Such assets belong to the seller; he has sold the slave’s person unless it is a condition in the contract of sale that says that
قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ مَالَهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَيَكُونُ مَالُ الْمَمْلُوكِ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا اشْتَرَاهُ بِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ[2].
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave and his assets. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if the assets of the slave are more than what is paid to buy the slave?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى مِنْ رَجُلٍ عَبْداً وَ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ عَبْدَانِ فَقَالَ لِلْمُشْتَرِي اذْهَبْ بِهِمَا فَاخْتَرْ أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتَ وَ رُدَّ الْآخَرَ وَ قَدْ قَبَضَ الْمَالَ فَذَهَبَ بِهِمَا الْمُشْتَرِي فَأَبَقَ أَحَدُهُمَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ قَالَ لِيَرُدَّ الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ مِنْهُمَا وَ يَقْبِضُ نِصْفَ الثَّمَنِ مِمَّا أَعْطَى مِنَ الْبَيِّعِ وَ يَذْهَبُ فِي طَلَبِ الْغُلَامِ فَإِنْ وَجَدَ اخْتَارَ أَيَّهُ
“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave from another man who had two slaves and he says to the buyer, Take both of them then choose whichever you like and return the other’ and he has received payment. The buyer takes both of them but one of them runs away from the location of the buye
قَالَ غُلَامٌ سِنْدِيٌّ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي قُلْتُ لِمَوْلَايَ بِعْنِي بِسَبْعِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ أَنَا أُعْطِيكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ كَانَ يَوْمَ شَرَطْتَ لَكَ مَالٌ فَعَلَيْكَ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مَالٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْءٌ.
‘I said to my master, “Sell me for seven hundred dirham, I pay you three hundred dirham.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘If you owned something on the day you made the condition then you must pay, and if you did not have anything on that day there is nothing on you.’”
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 إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الرَّهْنُ فَلَا يَدْرِي لِمَنْ هُوَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ لَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَبِيعَهُ حَتَّى يَجِيءَ صَاحِبُهُ قُلْتُ لَا يَدْرِي لِمَنْ هُوَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ فِيهِ فَضْلٌ أَوْ نُقْصَانٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ فَضْلٌ أَوْ نُقْصَانٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ نُقْصَانٌ فَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ يَبِيعُهُ فَيُؤْجَرُ فِيمَا نَقَصَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ ف
“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the case of a man who had al-Rahn (security deposit) with him and did not know to whom it belonged. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like his selling it until the owner comes.’ I said, ‘He does not know who the owner is.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘Is there any increase or decrease
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
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع الرَّجُلُ يَرْهَنُ الْغُلَامَ وَ الدَّارَ فَتُصِيبُهُ الْآفَةُ عَلَى مَنْ يَكُونُ قَالَ عَلَى مَوْلَاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ قَتَلَ قَتِيلًا عَلَى مَنْ يَكُونُ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِي عُنُقِ الْعَبْدِ قَالَ أَ لَا تَرَى فَلِمَ يَذْهَبُ مَالُ هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ كَانَ ثَمَنُهُ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ فَزَادَ وَ بَلَغَ مِائَتَيْ دِينَارٍ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَكُونُ قُلْتُ لِمَوْلَاهُ قَا
“I once asked abu Ibrahim, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who mortgaged a slave and the house and they suffered loss; if it was compensated by a particular party. He (the Imam) said, ‘His master is responsible.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Suppose if someone is murdered who is responsible?’ I replied, ‘It is on
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ هَلَكَ أَخُوهُ وَ تَرَكَ صُنْدُوقاً فِيهِ رُهُونٌ بَعْضُهَا عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ صَاحِبِهِ وَ بِكَمْ هُوَ رُهِنَ وَ بَعْضُهَا لَا يُدْرَى لِمَنْ هُوَ وَ لَا بِكَمْ هُوَ رُهِنَ فَمَا تَرَى فِي هَذَا الَّذِي لَا يُعْرَفُ صَاحِبُهُ فَقَالَ هُوَ كَمَالِهِ.
about the case of a man whose brother had died and left a box in which there were al-Rahn (security deposit) goods, of which certain ones had the name of the owner on them and others did not have any names on them and for how much they were left as al- Rahn (security deposit), and what do you say about that with an unk
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.’”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَارِيَّةِ يَسْتَعِيرُهَا الْإِنْسَانُ فَتَهْلِكُ أَوْ تُسْرَقُ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ أَمِيناً فَلَا غُرْمَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الَّذِي يَسْتَبْضِعُ الْمَالَ[1] فَيَهْلِكُ أَوْ يُسْرَقُ أَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ ضَمَانٌ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غُرْمٌ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الرَّجُلُ أَمِيناً.
“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a borrowed item; if it was destroyed or was stolen. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the borrower is trustworthy he is not held liable.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about the case of a man who gave certain amount of assets to another person to use in business in which the worker had no sha
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).”
فِي الرَّجُلِ يُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ الْمَالَ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ ائْتِ أَرْضَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ لَا تُجَاوِزْهَا وَ اشْتَرِ مِنْهَا قَالَ فَإِنْ جَاوَزَهَا وَ هَلَكَ الْمَالُ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ إِنْ اشْتَرَى مَتَاعاً فَوَضَعَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ رَبِحَ فَهُوَ بَيْنَهُمَا.
“About the case of a man who gives a certain amount of asset to another man and tells him to go to so and so city and not beyond it then buy from it goods, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If he goes beyond and the asset is destroyed, he is accountable and if he buys goods and it depreciates it is his responsibility;
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُعْطِي الْمَالَ مُضَارَبَةً وَ يَنْهَى أَنْ يَخْرُجَ بِهِ فَخَرَجَ قَالَ يُضَمَّنُ الْمَالَ وَ الرِّبْحُ بَيْنَهُمَا.
‘He is held responsible for the assets and the profit is for both.’”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فِي رَجُلٍ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَالٌ فَيَتَقَاضَاهُ وَ لَا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ فَيَقُولُ هُوَ عِنْدَكَ مُضَارَبَةً قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ حَتَّى يَقْبِضَهُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that about the case of a man who owed a certain amount of assets to another man who demanded it but he did not have it, then told him to keep it as capital for Mudarabah (profit sharing), ’Amir al-Mu’minin, has said, ‘It is not valid until he takes possession.’”
فِي الْمُضَارِبِ مَا أَنْفَقَ فِي سَفَرِهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ وَ إِذَا قَدِمَ بَلَدَهُ فَمَا أَنْفَقَ فَمِنْ نَصِيبِهِ.
“About the case of Mudarabah (profit sharing) abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever the trading party spends during his journey is from all of the assets, but when he arrives home thereafter whatever he spends is from his own share.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ الْمَالُ مُضَارَبَةً فَيَقِلُّ بِرِبْحِهِ فَيَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُ فَيَزِيدُ صَاحِبَهُ عَلَى شَرْطِهِ الَّذِي كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ إِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had a certain amount of assets for Mudarabah (profit sharing) with him but made very little profit; and was afraid of the other party’s taking away the capital, so he paid him more than the amount stipulated, so that he would not
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.”’
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ دَفَعَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ مُضَارَبَةً فَاشْتَرَى أَبَاهُ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ يُقَوَّمُ فَإِذَا زَادَ دِرْهَماً وَاحِداً أُعْتِقَ وَ اسْتُسْعِيَ فِي مَالِ الرَّجُلِ.
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who gave one thousand dirham to another man for Mudarabah (profit sharing) and he bought his father without knowing. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is appraised, even if a single dirham remains extra (as profit), he is free while it has spr
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فِي الْمُضَارِبِ مَا أَنْفَقَ فِي سَفَرِهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ وَ إِذَا قَدِمَ بَلْدَتَهُ فَمَا أَنْفَقَ فَهُوَ مِنْ نَصِيبِهِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, about Mudarabah (profit sharing), has said, ‘Whatever he spends during his journey is from the whole of the capital, but when he is back home then whatever he spends is from his own share.’”
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 إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لِي عَلَيْهِ الْمَالُ فَيَقْضِي بَعْضاً دَنَانِيرَ وَ بَعْضاً دَرَاهِمَ فَإِذَا جَاءَ يُحَاسِبُنِي لِيُوَفِّيَنِي كَمَا يَكُونُ قَدْ تَغَيَّرَ سِعْرُ الدَّنَانِيرِ أَيَّ السِّعْرَيْنِ أَحْسُبُ لَهُ الَّذِي كَانَ يَوْمَ أَعْطَانِي الدَّنَانِيرَ أَوْ سِعْرَ يَوْمِيَ الَّذِي أُحَاسِبُهُ قَالَ سِعْرَ يَوْمَ أَعْطَاكَ الدَّنَانِيرَ لِأَنَّكَ حَبَسْتَ مَنْفَعَتَهَا عَنْ
“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the case of a man who owed me a certain amount of assets and paid me back a certain amount in dinars and others in dirhams. He came to finalize the account to pay me the difference because of the exchange in rate of dinar. Was it necessary to pay according to the rate in the day
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع آتِي الصَّيْرَفِيَّ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ أَشْتَرِي مِنْهُ الدَّنَانِيرَ فَيَزِنُ لِي بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ حَقِّي ثُمَّ أَبْتَاعُ مِنْهُ مَكَانِي بِهَا دَرَاهِمَ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِهَا بَأْسٌ وَ لَكِنْ لَا تَزِنْ أَقَلَّ مِنْ حَقِّكَ.
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I go to the money changer with dirhams and buy from him dinars. He weighs for me more than my right. I then at the same place buy from him with it dirhams. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful but do not weigh less than your right.’”
قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِنَّ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَتْجَرُهُ فِي بَلَدِهِ وَ يَكُونَ خُلَطَاؤُهُ صَالِحِينَ وَ يَكُونَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ يَسْتَعِينُ بِهِمْ.
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ibn Muskan from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of a man’s good fortune to have his place of business where he lives, to have virtuous associates and children
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ السَّعَادَةِ الزَّوْجَةُ الْمُؤَاتِيَةُ[1] وَ الْأَوْلَادُ الْبَارُّونَ وَ الرَّجُلُ يُرْزَقُ مَعِيشَتَهُ بِبَلَدِهِ يَغْدُو إِلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ يَرُوحُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Three factors help a man enjoy good fortune: One is a cooperating wife, virtuous and kind children, and he finds his living where he lives and is present in his family every morning and evenings.’”
مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَتْجَرُهُ فِي بَلَدِهِ وَ يَكُونَ خُلَطَاؤُهُ صَالِحِينَ وَ يَكُونَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ يَسْتَعِينُ بِهِمْ وَ مِنْ شَقَاءِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ تَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ امْرَأَةٌ مُعْجَبٌ بِهَا وَ هِيَ تَخُونُهُ.
“Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of a man’s good fortune to have his place of business where he lives, to have virtuous associates and children who support him. It is misfortune of a man to have a conceited wife who is treacherous toward him.’”
أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ أَعْطِنِي رَأْسَ الْمَالِ وَ لَكَ الرِّبْحُ وَ عَلَيْكَ التَّوَى فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِذَا اشْتَرَطَا[2] فَإِذَا كَانَ شَرْطٌ يُخَالِفُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
"This is about the two men who had a business partnership with a certain amount of asset in which they made a certain amount of profit, there, however, was a loan against that asset which both had to pay. One of them asked the other to give him the capital in exchange for the profit and payment of loan. The Imam said,
سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَيُّ الْمَالِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الزَّرْعُ زَرَعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَ أَصْلَحَهُ وَ أَدَّى حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الزَّرْعِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ رَجُلٌ فِي غَنَمٍ لَهُ قَدْ تَبِعَ بِهَا مَوَاضِعَ الْقَطْرِ يُقِيمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ يُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْغَنَمِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الْبَقَرُ تَغْدُو بِخَيْرٍ وَ تَرُوحُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْبَقَر
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (sw) was asked, ‘Which assets (belongings) are good?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘A farm whose owner farms and maintains it, then pays the dues on it on the day of harvest.‘ He then asked, ‘What asset is better than farms?’ He (the Messenger of Allah)