Wealth & Money

الدُّهْنُ يُظْهِرُ الْغِنَى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Applying oil demonstrates wealth.’”

مِنَ السَّعَادَةِ سَعَةُ الْمَنْزِلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Spaciousness of the house is of one’s good fortune.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ الْمَسْكَنُ الْوَاسِعُ.

‘Of the good fortune for a Muslim man is spaciousness of the house.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَهْدَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَرْبَعَةَ أَفْرَاسٍ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ سَمِّهَا لِي فَقَالَ هِيَ أَلْوَانٌ مُخْتَلِفَةٌ قَالَ فَفِيهَا وَضَحٌ‌[1] فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فِيهَا أَشْقَرُ[2] بِهِ وَضَحٌ قَالَ فَأَمْسِكْهُ عَلَيَّ قَالَ وَ فِيهَا كُمَيْتَانِ‌[3] أَوْضَحَانِ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِمَا ابْنَيْكَ قَالَ وَ الرَّابِعُ أَدْهَمُ بَهِيمٌ‌[4] قَالَ بِعْهُ وَ اسْتَخْلِفْ بِهِ نَ

’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), sent as present to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. It comprised of four horses from Yemen. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘Describe them for me.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They are of different colors.’ He (t

مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ دَابَّةٌ يَرْكَبُهَا فِي حَوَائِجِهِ وَ يَقْضِي عَلَيْهَا حُقُوقَ إِخْوَانِهِ.

“It is of the good fortune of a believing person to have a stumper that he can ride to meet his own needs and the needs of his brothers (in belief).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ الْمَرْكَبُ الْهَنِي‌ءُ.

‘It is of the good fortune of a Muslim man to have a healthy stumper.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ نِعْمَ الْمَالُ الشَّاةُ.

‘The best asset is sheep.’”

يَقُولُ‌ صَاحِبُ الْمَالِ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الرُّوحِ يَضَعُهُ حَيْثُ شَاءَ

“I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘The owner of the asset has a greater degree of rights in his assets as long as there is some spirit in him. He can do about it whatever he wants.”’

الرَّجُلُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ الرُّوحُ إِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ كُلِّهِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ لَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man is more rightful to his assets as long as there is the spirit in him and if he makes a will about all of it, it is permissible.’”

الْمَيِّتُ أَوْلَى بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ الرُّوحُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who is about to die is more rightful to his assets as long as he is alive.’”

أَوْصَى أَخُو رُومِيِّ بْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ جَمِيعَ مَالِهِ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ عَمْرٌو فَأَخْبَرَنِي رُومِيٌّ أَنَّهُ وَضَعَ الْوَصِيَّةَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى لَكَ بِهِ أَخِي وَ جَعَلْتُ أَقْرَأُ عَلَيْهِ‌ فَيَقُولُ لِي قِفْ وَ يَقُولُ احْمِلْ كَذَا وَ وَهَبْتُ لَكَ كَذَا حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ عَلَى الْوَصِيَّةِ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا إِنَّمَا أَخَذَ الثُّلُثَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَمَرْتَ

“The brother of Romiy ibn ‘Umar made a will that said, ‘All of his assets must be given to abu Ja‘far (a.s.) . ’ ‘Amr has said that Romi narrated to me saying, ‘I placed the assets before abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and said, “This is what my brother has given to you in his will” and I began to read it for him.’ He (the Imam) s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ أَ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ قَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has children; if he can assign his assets to his relatives. He (the Imam) said, ‘They are his assets, he can place it wherever he wants until death comes upon him.’”

إِذَا أَبَانَ فِيهِ‌[1] فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ وَ إِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَهُوَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ.

“About the case of a man who gives a certain amount of his property during his illness, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If he keeps such assets aside, it then is permissible, but if he has only said so in his will then it is from one-third of his legacy.’”

الْمَيِّتُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ الرُّوحُ يُبِينُ بِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَإِنْ تَعَدَّى‌[2] فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا الثُّلُثُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is about to die; if he is more rightful to his assets as long as there is spirit in him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, that is right but if he makes a will and it is more (than the one-third) it applies to one-third of his legacy only.”’

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ أَ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a son; if he can give his assets to his relatives. He (the Imam) said, ‘They are his assets, he can do to it whatever he wants until death comes upon him.’”

الْإِنْسَانُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ الرُّوحُ فِي بَدَنِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man is more rightful to his assets as long as there is spirit in his body.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ أَ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ إِنَّ لِصَاحِبِ‌ الْمَالِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِمَالِهِ مَا شَاءَ مَا دَامَ حَيّاً إِنْ شَاءَ وَهَبَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا الثُّلُثُ إِلَّا أَنَّ الْفَضْلَ فِي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a son; if he can give his assets to his relatives. He (the Imam) said, ‘They are his assets, he can do to them whatever he wants until death comes upon him; the owner can do whatever he wants as long as he is alive. He can give it as a gift or charity

كَتَبَ الْخَلِيلُ بْنُ هَاشِمٍ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ وَالِي نَيْسَابُورَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمَجُوسِ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى لِلْفُقَرَاءِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَأَخَذَهُ قَاضِي نَيْسَابُورَ فَجَعَلَهُ فِي فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَكَتَبَ الْخَلِيلُ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ بِذَلِكَ فَسَأَلَ الْمَأْمُونَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي فِي ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَسَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَس

“Once, Khalil ibn Hashim wrote to Dhi al-Riyasatayn who was the governor of Nisabur and asked that a Zoroastrian man has died and has made a will about a certain amount from his assets for the poor. The judge of Nisabur took the amount and gave it to the poor Muslims. Dhu al-Riyasatayn asked Ma’mun about it. Ma’mun who

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ أَوْصَانِي أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَنْهُ رَقَبَةً فَأَعْتَقْتُ عَنْهُ امْرَأَةٌّأَ فَتُجْزِيهِ أَوْ أُعْتِقُ عَنْهُ مِنْ مَالِي قَالَ يُجْزِيهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ أُمَّ ابْنِي أَوْصَتْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَنْهَا رَقَبَةً فَأَعْتَقْتُ عَنْهَا امْرَأَةً[2].

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘’Alqamah ibn Muhammad has made a will that I must set free a slave for him, and I set free for him a woman: if this is sufficient or must I set free for him from my own property.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is sufficient.’ He (the Imam) then said to me, ‘Fatimah, mother of my son, m

إِنْ كَانَ صَرُورَةً يُحَجُّ عَنْهُ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَيْرَ صَرُورَةٍ فَمِنَ الثُّلُثِ.

“This is about the case of a man who dies but makes a will to perform al-Hajj for him. He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If it is his first al-Hajj then al-Hajj is performed from the center of the legacy, but if it is not his first al-Hajj then it is paid for from the one-third of his legacy.’”

أَوَّلُ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُبْدَأُ بِهِ مِنَ الْمَالِ الْكَفَنُ ثُمَّ الدَّيْنُ ثُمَّ الْوَصِيَّةُ ثُمَّ الْمِيرَاثُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The first thing to pay for from the legacy is shroud, then debts, then will, then the shares of heirs.’”

نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ هُوَ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ شَيْئاً قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَخَذُوا الدِّيَةَ فَعَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ يَقْضُوا دَيْنَهُ.

“About the case of a man who is killed and who owed debs, but has not left any legacy but his heirs received blood money (wergild) from his killer; if they must pay his debts, abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Yes, they must pay his debts.’ I then said, ‘He has not left any legacy.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because th

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ لَهُ عَلَيَّ دَيْنٌ وَ خَلَّفَ وُلْداً رِجَالًا وَ نِسَاءً وَ صِبْيَاناً فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِمَّا لِأَبِي عَلَيْكَ مِنْ حِصَّتِي وَ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِمَّا لِإِخْوَتِي وَ أَخَوَاتِي وَ أَنَا ضَامِنٌ لِرِضَاهُمْ عَنْكَ قَالَ تَكُونُ فِي سَعَةٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ حِلٍّ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يُعْطِهِمْ قَالَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي عُنُقِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ ر

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and I owe him a certain amount of money. He has left behind children, male, female, and smaller children. One of them once came to me and said, ‘You are free of the responsibility of what you owed to my father as much as my share is concerned and you

سَأَلَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ يَخْتَلِفُ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى وَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ مَاتَ مَوْلًى لِعِيسَى بْنِ مُوسَى وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً كَثِيراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ يُحِيطُ دَيْنُهُ بِأَثْمَانِهِمْ فَأَعْتَقَهُمْ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ فَسَأَلَهُمَا عِيسَى بْنُ مُوسَى عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ أَرَى أَنْ يَسْتَسْعِيَهُمْ فِي قِيمَتِهِمْ فَيَدْفَعَهَا إِلَى الْغُرَمَاءِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘Is there a difference between ibn abu Layla’ and ibn Shubramah?’ I replied, ‘It has come to my knowledge that a Maxvla of ‘Isa ibn Musa died with a great deal of debts on him. He possessed a number of slaves whom he set free at the time of his death. Had the slaves been sold, suc

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ فُلَاناً ابْتَاعَ ضَيْعَةً فَوَقَفَهَا وَ جَعَلَ لَكَ فِي الْوَقْفِ الْخُمُسَ وَ يَسْأَلُ عَنْ رَأْيِكَ فِي بَيْعِ حِصَّتِكَ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ أَوْ يُقَوِّمُهَا عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بِمَا اشْتَرَاهَا بِهِ أَوْ يَدَعُهَا مَوْقُوفَةً فَكَتَبَ ع إِلَيَّ أَعْلِمْ فُلَاناً أَنِّي آمُرُهُ بِبَيْعِ حَقِّي مِنَ الضَّيْعَةِ وَ إِيصَالِ ثَمَنِ ذَلِكَ إِلَيَّ وَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ رَأْيِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّ

“I once wrote to abu Ja‘far ‘Alayhi al-Salam, that so and so has bought a certain asset. He has made it an endowment of which one-fifth is designated for you. He seeks your opinion about selling your share of the land, or appraising and counting its price on himself for which he has bought or keep it as an endowment. H

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ اشْتَرَيْتُ أَرْضاً إِلَى جَنْبِ ضَيْعَتِي بِأَلْفَيْ دِرْهَمٍ فَلَمَّا وَفَّيْتُ الْمَالَ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ وَقْفٌ فَقَالَ لَا يَجُوزُ شِرَاءُ الْوَقْفِ وَ لَا تُدْخِلِ الْغَلَّةَ[2] فِي مَالِكَ ادْفَعْهَا إِلَى مَنْ أُوقِفَتْ عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ لَا أَعْرِفُ لَهَا رَبّاً قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِغَلَّتِهَا[3].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I have bought a land near by my assets for two thousand dirham. When I made payment, I was informed that the land is an endowment.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Buying an endowment is not permissible. You must not include it

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُوقِفُ الضَّيْعَةَ ثُمَّ يَبْدُو لَهُ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ فِي ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْقَفَهَا لِوُلْدِهِ وَ لِغَيْرِهِمْ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ لَهَا قَيِّماً لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِيهَا وَ إِنْ كَانُوا صِغَاراً وَ قَدْ شَرَطَ وَلَايَتَهَا لَهُمْ حَتَّى يَبْلُغُوا فَيَحُوزَهَا لَهُمْ‌ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِيهَا وَ إِنْ كَانُوا كِبَاراً لَمْ يُسَلِّمْهَا إِلَيْهِمْ وَ لَمْ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a piece of his property an endowment, then decides to change it. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he has made it an endowment for his children and others and then appoints a supervisor for it, he cannot change it. If they are small and he has set a condition

سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ قَالَ الشَّيْ‌ءُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع مِنْ سِتَّةٍ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, was asked about the case of a man who made a will about something of his wealth. He (the Imam) said, ‘According to the book of Ali (a.s.), it is one-sixth.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ اسْتَوْدَعَتْ رَجُلًا مَالًا فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهَا الْوَفَاةُ قَالَتْ لَهُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ الَّذِي دَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْكَ لِفُلَانَةَ وَ مَاتَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ فَأَتَى أَوْلِيَاؤُهَا الرَّجُلَ فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لِصَاحِبَتِنَا مَالٌ وَ لَا نَرَاهُ إِلَّا عِنْدَكَ فَاحْلِفْ لَنَا أَنَّ مَا لَهَا قِبَلَكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَ فَيَحْلِفُ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مَأْمُونَةً عِنْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who leaves a certain amount of assets in trust with a man; and at the time of her death she says to him that the asset in his trust belongs to so and so female, and she dies. Her heirs then come to the man saying that their woman had certain amount of asset

إِنِ اسْتَيْقَنَ أَنَّ الدَّيْنَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ يُحِيطُ بِجَمِيعِ الْمَالِ فَلَا يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَيْقِنْ فَلْيُنْفِقْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ‌[2].

“He once asked him (the Imam); ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who dies leaving behind dependents and debts; if anything can be spent from the legacy for the dependents. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is certain that his legacy covers the debt, then nothing can be spent for his dependents but if it is certain tha

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِسَيْفٍ وَ كَانَ فِي جَفْنٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ حِلْيَةٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ النَّصْلُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْمَالُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَلِ السَّيْفُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِصُنْدُوقٍ وَ كَانَ فِيهِ مَالٌ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الصُّنْدُوقُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْمَالُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع الصُّنْدُوقُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will for a man about a sword which is in a cover (sword sheathing) with decorations on it. The heirs said that only the sword is for him and not the asset (the valuable decorations). He (the Imam) said, ‘The sword and that in which it is belongs to h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِصُنْدُوقٍ وَ كَانَ فِي الصُّنْدُوقِ مَالٌ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الصُّنْدُوقُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ مَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ الصُّنْدُوقُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a will about a box with assets in it for a man. The heirs say that only the box belongs to him and not its contents. He (the Imam) said, ‘The box and its contents belong to him.”’

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ ابْنَانِ فَمَاتَ أَحَدُهُمَا وَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَوْصَى لَهُمْ جَدُّهُمْ بِسَهْمِ أَبِيهِمْ فَهَذَا السَّهْمُ الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ أَمْ‌ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ‌ فَوَقَّعَ ع يُنْفِذُونَ وَصِيَّةَ جَدِّهِمْ كَمَا أَمَرَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ وَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَقَرَّ لَهُمْ

“I once wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.), and asked about the case of a man who has two sons. One of them dies, leaving behind male and female children, and the grandfather bequests for them the share of their father, if male and female in this share are equal or if the male has twice the share of the female. He (the Imam)

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ فِي رَجُلٍ أَقَرَّ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ لِفُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ لِأَحَدِهِمَا عِنْدِي أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ ثُمَّ مَاتَ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَقَالَ أَيُّهُمَا أَقَامَ الْبَيِّنَةَ فَلَهُ الْمَالُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يُقِمْ وَاحِدٌ مِنْهُمَا الْبَيِّنَةَ فَالْمَالُ بَيْنَهُمَا نِصْفَانِ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that about the case of a man who at the time of his death states that either one of so and so and so and so has one thousand dirham with me then he dies in such condition, ’Amir al-Mu’minin, has issued the following decree. ‘Whoever presents testimony can receive the asset but if no one

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى‌ هَلْ لِلْوَصِيِّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ شَيْئاً مِنْ مَالِ الْمَيِّتِ إِذَا بِيعَ فِيمَنْ زَادَ فَيَزِيدَ وَ يَأْخُذَ لِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ إِذَا اشْتَرَى صَحِيحاً.

“Once, Muhammad ibn Yahya wrote (to the Imam), ‘Is it lawful for an executor of the will to buy something from the assets of the deceased as the highest bidder? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible if he buys it in an undamaged condition.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع اعْلَمْ يَا سَيِّدِي أَنَّ ابْنَ أَخٍ لِي تُوُفِّيَ فَأَوْصَى لِسَيِّدِي بِضَيْعَةٍ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُدْفَعَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ فِي دَارِهِ حَتَّى الْأَوْتَادُ تُبَاعُ وَ يُجْعَلُ الثَّمَنُ إِلَى سَيِّدِي وَ أَوْصَى بِحَجٍّ وَ أَوْصَى لِلْفُقَرَاءِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَوْصَى لِعَمَّتِهِ وَ أُخْتِهِ بِمَالٍ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ أَكْثَرُ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ لَعَلَّهُ يُقَار

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ’My master, I inform you that the son of my brother has died and has made a will about a certain piece of property for you. He in his will has said that everything in his house must be given, even the pegs must be sold and the price sent to my master. He has made a will fo

دَعَانِي أَبِي حِينَ حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ اقْبِضْ مَالَ إِخْوَتِكَ الصِّغَارِ فَاعْمَلْ بِهِ وَ خُذْ نِصْفَ الرِّبْحِ وَ أَعْطِهِمُ النِّصْفَ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ ضَمَانٌ فَقَدَّمَتْنِي أُمُّ وَلَدٍ لِأَبِي بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ أَبِي إِلَى ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقَالَتْ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا يَأْكُلُ أَمْوَالَ وَلَدِي قَالَ فَقَصَصْتُ عَلَيْهِ مَا أَمَرَنِي بِهِ أَبِي فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى إِنْ كَانَ أَب

“My father called me at the time of his death and said, ‘Son, take the assets of your small brothers and use them in business. Take half of the profit and give them the other half and you will not be held responsible.’ A mother of the child of my father took me, after the death of my father, before ibn abu Layla’ and s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مُسَافِرٍ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَدَفَعَ مَالَهُ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنَ التُّجَّارِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا الْمَالَ لِفُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ لَيْسَ لِي فِيهِ قَلِيلٌ وَ لَا كَثِيرٌ فَادْفَعْهُ إِلَيْهِ‌ يَضَعُهُ حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ فَمَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَأْمُرْ صَاحِبَهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَهُ بِأَمْرٍ وَ لَا يَدْرِي صَاحِبُهُ مَا الَّذِي حَمَلَهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ يَضَعُهُ حَيْثُ ي

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man whose death approaches him on a journey. He gives his assets to a man of the merchants saying, ‘This asset belongs to so and so son of so and so. Nothing of it, little or more, belongs to me. You must give it to him, he will place it as he wants’; and he dies,

إِنَّمَا أَدْفَعُهُ إِلَيْكَ لِيَكُونَ ذُخْراً لِابْنَتَيَّ فُلَانَةَ وَ فُلَانَةَ ثُمَّ بَدَا لِلشَّيْخِ بَعْدَ مَا دَفَعَ الْمَالَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْهُ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ فَاشْتَرَى بِهَا جَارِيَةً لِابْنِ ابْنِهِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ الشَّيْخَ هَلَكَ فَوَقَعَ بَيْنَ الْجَارِيَتَيْنِ وَ بَيْنَ الْغُلَامِ أَوْ إِحْدَاهُمَا فَقَالَتَا لَهُ وَيْحَكَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَتَنْكِحُ جَارِيَتَكَ حَرَاماً إِنّ

“About the case of a man who has given a certain amount of assets to another man saying, ‘I give it to you to save it for my two daughters so and so and so and so.’ The old man later after giving the funds decided to take one hundred twenty-five dinar back to buy a slave-girl for his grandson. The old man then died; an

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ بِغَيْرِ وَصِيَّةٍ وَ تَرَكَ أَوْلَاداً ذُكْرَاناً [وَ إِنَاثاً] وَ غِلْمَاناً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ جَوَارِيَ وَ مَمَالِيكَ هَلْ يَسْتَقِيمُ أَنْ تُبَاعَ الْجَوَارِي قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَصْحَبُ الرَّجُلَ فِي سَفَرِهِ فَيَحْدُثُ بِهِ حَدَثُ الْمَوْتِ وَ لَا يُدْرِكُ الْوَصِيَّةَ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ بِمَتَاعِهِ وَ لَهُ أَوْلَادٌ صِغَارٌ وَ كِبَارٌ أَ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يَدْفَعَ مَت

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ’Isma‘il ibn Sa‘d al-Ash‘ariy who has narrated the following: “I once asked al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who dies without a will and leaves behind heirs of male and female, small boys and slave-girls and slaves i

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ يَتِيمٍ قَدْ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ وَ لَيْسَ بِعَقْلِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ لَهُ مَالٌ عَلَى يَدَيْ رَجُلٍ فَأَرَادَ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ الْمَالُ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِمَالِ الْيَتِيمِ مُضَارَبَةً فَأَذِنَ لَهُ الْغُلَامُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ حَتَّى يَحْتَلِمَ وَ يَدْفَعَ إِلَيْهِ مَالَهُ قَالَ وَ إِنِ احْتَلَمَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَقْلٌ لَمْ يُدْفَعْ إِلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَبَداً. - حُمَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of an orphan who has read the Quran, his understanding is proper and his assets are in the hands of a man who wants to work using those assets in business in the manner of profit sharing ( al-Mudarabah ) to which the boy has agreed. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not prop

لَهُ رُدَّ عَلَيَّ مَالِي لِأَتَزَوَّجَ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهِ فَذَهَبَ حَتَّى زَنَى قَالَ يُلْزَمُ ثُلُثَيْ إِثْمِ زِنَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ ذَلِكَ الْوَصِيُّ لِأَنَّهُ مَنَعَهُ الْمَالَ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِهِ فَكَانَ يَتَزَوَّجُ.

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from those who narrated to him who has narrated the following: “This is about the case of a man who dies, with a will to a man, leaving behind a small son who becomes mature. He goes to the executor of the will asking him to handover

أَمَرْتُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَالُ لِمَنْ هُوَ لِلْأَقْرَبِ أَوْ لِلْعَصَبَةِ فَقَالَ الْمَالُ لِلْأَقْرَبِ وَ الْعَصَبَةُ فِي فِيهِ التُّرَابُ.

“I instructed a person to ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if the legacy is for the nearest relative or for al-‘Asabah (the relatives from the father’s side only). He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy is for the nearest relatives and for the mouth of relatives from the father’s side only is dirt (soil).”’

جَالَسْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ فَعَرَضَ ذِكْرُ الْفَرَائِضِ فِي الْمَوَارِيثِ فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّ الَّذِي أَحْصَى رَمْلَ عَالِجٍ عَدَداً جَعَلَ فِي مَالٍ‌ نِصْفاً وَ نِصْفاً وَ ثُلُثاً فَهَذَانِ النِّصْفَانِ قَدْ ذَهَبَا بِالْمَالِ فَأَيْنَ مَوْضِعُ الثُّلُثِ فَقَالَ لَهُ زُفَرُ بْنُ أَوْسٍ الْبَصْرِيُّ يَا أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ فَمَنْ أَوَّلُ مَنْ أَعَالَ الْفَرَائِضَ فَقَالَ

“I sat with Ibn ‘Abbas that a mention of ordained shares of inheritance was made and Ibn ‘Abbas said, ‘Allah is free of all defects, the most great. Do you think that one who enumerates the number of the grains of sand in a sand valley has designated half and half and one-third? The two halves take away the legacy then

أَصْلُ الْفَرَائِضِ مِنْ سِتَّةِ أَسْهُمٍ لَا تَزِيدُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ لَا تَعُولُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ الْمَالُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ لِأَهْلِ السِّهَامِ الَّذِينَ ذُكِرُوا فِي الْكِتَابِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The roots of ordained shares are six. They do not increase or face deficiency and thereafter the legacy is for those whose shares are mentioned in the book (of Allah).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَرْمَانِيّاً مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ لِي وَ مَا الْأَرْمَانِيُّ قُلْتُ نَبَطِيٌّ مِنْ أَنْبَاطِ الْجِبَالِ‌[3] مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ بِتَرِكَتِهِ وَ تَرَكَ ابْنَتَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَعْطِهَا النِّصْفَ قَالَ فَأَخْبَرْتُ زُرَارَةَ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي اتَّقَاكَ إِنَّمَا الْمَالُ لَهَا قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ بَعْدُ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ أَصْحَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that an Armani man has died and has made a will to me. He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is Armaniy?’ I replied, ‘He is a Nabatiy from Nabatiy people of mountains who has died. He has made a will to me about his legacy and has left behind his daughter.’ He (the Imam) said to me, ‘Give he

أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ ابْنَتَهُ وَ أَخَاهُ قَالَ الْمَالُ لِلِابْنَةِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and his brother. He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter.’”

الْمَالُ لِلِابْنَةِ وَ لَيْسَ لِلْأُخْتِ مِنَ الْأَبِ وَ الْأُمِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“About the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and his sister from his father and mother, he (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter and there is nothing for the sister from his father and mother.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ ابْنَتَهُ وَ عَمَّهُ قَالَ الْمَالُ لِلِابْنَةِ وَ لَيْسَ لِلْعَمِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَوْ قَالَ لَيْسَ لِلْعَمِّ مَعَ الِابْنَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and uncle. He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter and there is nothing for the uncle, aunt’, or that he (the Imam) said, ‘There is nothing for the uncle with the existence of the daughter.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ تَرَكَ ابْنَتَهُ وَ أُخْتَهُ لِأَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ قَالَ الْمَالُ كُلُّهُ لِلِابْنَةِ وَ لَيْسَ لِلْأُخْتِ مِنَ الْأَبِ وَ الْأُمِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and his sister from his mother and father. He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter and there is nothing for his sister from his mother and father.’”