Wealth & Money

فَسَأَلَ أَبُو مُوسَى عَلِيّاً ع فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا هَذَا فِي هَذِهِ الْبِلَادِ يَعْنِي الْكُوفَةَ وَ مَا يَلِيهَا وَ مَا هَذَا بِحَضْرَتِي فَمِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَكَ هَذَا قَالَ كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مُعَاوِيَةُ أَنَّ ابْنَ أَبِي الْحُسَيْنِ وَجَدَ مَعَ امْرَأَتِهِ رَجُلًا فَقَتَلَهُ وَ قَدْ أَشْكَلَ حُكْمُ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الْقُضَاةِ[5] فَرَأْيُكَ فِي هَذَا فَقَالَ ع أَنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ إِنْ جَاءَ بِأَرْبَعَةٍ يَشْهَدُونَ عَ

Hadith.5396 - Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya narrated from Ali ibn Isma'il from Ahmad ibn Al-Nadr from Al-Husayn ibn Amr from Yahya ibn Said ibn Al-Musayyab that Mu'awiyah wrote to Abu Musa Al-Ashari, saying: "The son of Abu Al-Husayn found a man with his wife and killed him. This matter has become confusing for the judg

إِذَا مَاتَ وَلِيُّ الْمَقْتُولِ قَامَ وَلَدُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مَقَامَهُ بِالدَّمِ‌[6].

Hadith.5397 - In the narration of Ibn Abi Umayr from Jameel from some of our companions from one of the two Imams (peace be upon them), that They (as) said: "If the guardian of the murdered person dies, his child assumes his position regarding the right to seek retribution for the blood."

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي عَيْنِ فَرَسٍ فُقِئَتْ بِرُبُعِ ثَمَنِهِ يَوْمَ فُقِئَتِ الْعَيْنُ‌[1].

"The Commander of the Faithful (as) ruled that if the eye of a horse is gouged out, the compensation is a quarter of its value on the day its eye was gouged out."

وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[2] فِي أَرْبَعَةِ أَنْفُسٍ شُرَكَاءَ فِي بَعِيرٍ فَعَقَلَهُ أَحَدُهُمْ فَانْطَلَقَ الْبَعِيرُ فَعَبِثَ بِعِقَالِهِ فَتَرَدَّى فَانْكَسَرَ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُهُ لِلَّذِي عَقَلَهُ اغْرَمْ لَنَا بَعِيرَنَا فَقَضَى بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ يَغْرَمُوا لَهُ حَظَّهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّهُ أَوْثَقَ حَظَّهُ فَذَهَبَ حَظُّهُمْ بِحَظِّهِ‌[3].

Hadith.5399 - The Commander of the Faithful (as) ruled regarding four people who were partners in a camel. One of them tied it, but the camel struggled with its tether, broke free, fell, and was injured. The other owners said to the one who had tied it, "You must compensate us for our camel." So Imam (as) ruled between

رُفِعَ إِلَى الْمَأْمُونِ رَجُلٌ دَفَعَ رَجُلًا فِي بِئْرٍ فَمَاتَ فَأَمَرَ بِهِ أَنْ يُقْتَلَ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ فِي مَنْزِلِي فَسَمِعْتُ الْغَوْثَ فَخَرَجْتُ مُسْرِعاً وَ مَعِي سَيْفِي فَمَرَرْتُ عَلَى هَذَا وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَفِيرِ بِئْرٍ فَدَفَعْتُهُ فَوَقَعَ فِي الْبِئْرِ فَسَأَلَ الْمَأْمُونُ الْفُقَهَاءَ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ يُقَادُ بِهِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ يُفْعَلُ بِهِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَسَأ

Hadith.5400 - In the narration of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya through his chain of transmission, it is reported that a man was brought before Al-Ma'mun for having pushed another man into a well, resulting in his death. Al-Ma'mun ordered that the man be executed. The man said: "I was in my house when I heard cries for

أَنْتَ قَاتِلُ أَخِي وَ لِيَ أَنْ أَقْتُلَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ قَتَلْتَنِي مَرَّةً فَانْطَلَقَ بِهِ إِلَى عُمَرَ فَأَمَرَ بِقَتْلِهِ فَخَرَجَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ وَ اللَّهِ قَدْ قَتَلَنِي مَرَّةً فَمَرُّوا بِهِ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ص فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِخَبَرِهِ فَقَالَ لَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى أَخْرُجَ إِلَيْكَ فَدَخَلَ ع عَلَى عُمَرَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ الْحُكْمُ فِيهِ هَكَذَا فَقَالَ مَا هُ

Hadith.5401 - In the narration of Aban ibn Uthman, it is reported that Umar ibn Al-Khattab was presented with a man who had killed another man's brother. Umar handed him over to the victim's brother and ordered him to kill him. The man struck him until he thought he had killed him. He was carried to his home, and they

ابْنَ آدَمَ تَطَوَّلْتُ عَلَيْكَ بِثَلَاثٍ سَتَرْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَا لَوْ يَعْلَمُ بِهِ أَهْلُكَ مَا وَارَوْكَ‌[2] وَ أَوْسَعْتُ عَلَيْكَ فَاسْتَقْرَضْتُ مِنْكَ‌[3] فَلَمْ تُقَدِّمْ خَيْراً وَ جَعَلْتُ لَكَ نَظِرَةً[4] عِنْدَ مَوْتِكَ فِي ثُلُثِكَ فَلَمْ تُقَدِّمْ خَيْراً.

"Indeed, Allah (swt), the Blessed and Exalted, says: 'O' son of Adam, I have favored you with three things: I concealed from others matters about you that, had your family known, they would not have buried you. I expanded your sustenance, yet when I asked you to lend (in charity), you did not offer any good. And I gran

مَنْ لَمْ يُوصِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ لِذَوِي قَرَابَتِهِ[1] فَقَدْ خَتَمَ عَمَلَهُ بِمَعْصِيَةٍ[2].

قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌ مَا أُبَالِي أَضْرَرْتُ بِوُلْدِي أَوْ سَرِفْتُهُمْ ذَلِكَ‌

Hadith.5418 - Abdullah ibn Al-Mughirah narrated from Al-Sakuni from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), that Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "I do not mind whether I cause hardship to my children or I spend that wealth on them."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ‌[3] مَا لَهُ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ثُلُثُ مَالِهِ وَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَيْضاً.

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a man who dies - how much of his wealth he can bequeath. Imam (as) said: "One-third of his wealth, and the same applies to a woman as well."

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَأَنْ أُوصِيَ بِخُمُسِ مَالِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالرُّبُعِ وَ لَأَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالرُّبُعِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالثُّلُثِ وَ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِالثُّلُثِ فَلَمْ يَتَّرِكْ فَقَدْ بَالَغَ وَ قَالَ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ فَقَدْ بَلَغَ الْمَدَى‌[4].

"The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) used to say: 'To bequeath one-fifth of my wealth is more beloved to me than to bequeath one-fourth, and to bequeath one-fourth is more beloved to me than to bequeath one-third. Whoever bequeaths one-third without leaving anything behind has gone to excess.'" Im

إِنَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ تُرَدُّ إِلَى الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ يُتْرَكُ لِأَهْلِ الْمِيرَاثِ مِيرَاثُهُمْ‌[1].

"The Commander of the Faithful (as) ruled regarding a man who passed away and had bequeathed all of his wealth or most of it. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: 'The will is to be adjusted to what is customary, and the rightful inheritance must be left for the heirs.'"

فَإِنْ تَعَدَّى فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا الثُّلُثُ.

"The deceased has the most right over his wealth as long as his soul remains in him and he can express himself." Imam (as) then said: "But if he exceeds (in his bequest), he is entitled only to one-third."

مَا صَنَعْتُمْ بِصَاحِبِكُمْ قَالُوا دَفَنَّاهُ قَالَ لَوْ عَلِمْتُ مَا دَفَنَّاهُ مَعَ أَهْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ تَرَكَ وُلْدَهُ يَتَكَفَّفُونَ النَّاسَ‌[4].

"A man from the Ansar passed away, leaving behind young children. He had six slaves and no wealth other than them. At the time of his death, he freed all of them. When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was informed of this, He (sw) said: 'What did you do with your companion?' They replied: 'We buried him.'

وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ‌ كَانَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِمَكَّةَ وَ إِنَّهُ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يُصَلُّونَ إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ فَأَوْصَى الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ‌ مَعْرُورٍ أَنْ يُجْعَلَ وَجْهُهُ‌[1] إِلَى تِلْقَاءِ النَّبِيِّ ص إِلَى الْقِ

"Al-Bara' ibn Marur Al-Ansari was in Medina while the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) was in Mecca. When death approached him (Al-Bara'), and while the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) and the Muslims were still praying towards Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), Al-Bara'

وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ‌ أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنَّ دُرَّةَ بِنْتَ مُقَاتِلٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ تَرَكَتْ ضَيْعَةً أَشْقَاصاً[3] فِي مَوْضِعِ كَذَا وَ أَوْصَتْ لِسَيِّدِنَا فِي أَشْقَاصِهَا بِأَكْثَرَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ نَحْنُ أَوْصِيَاؤُهَا فَأَحْبَبْنَا إِنْهَاءَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى سَيِّدِنَا فَإِنْ أَمَرَنَا بِإِمْضَاءِ الْوَصِيَّةِ عَلَى وَجْهِهَا أَمْ

Hadith.5429 - It is narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Ahmad ibn Ishaq that he wrote to Abu Al-Hasan (as), informing him: "Durrah bint Muqatil has passed away and left behind an estate consisting of portions in a certain place. She bequeathed more than one-third of her estate to our master, and we are her ex

إِذَا أَبَانَ بِهِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ وَ إِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَمِنَ الثُّلُثِ‌[6].

Hadith.5430 - Ṣafwan narrated from Murazim from some of our companions regarding a man who gives something from his wealth during his illness. Imam (as) said: "If he gives it explicitly (clearly handing it over), then it is valid. But if he bequeaths it (without handing it over), then it must be from one-third of his e

أَوَّلُ شَيْءٍ يُبْدَأُ بِهِ مِنَ الْمَالِ الْكَفَنُ ثُمَّ الدَّيْنُ ثُمَّ الْوَصِيَّةُ ثُمَّ الْمِيرَاثُ[2].

وَ رَوَى الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ‌ الْكَفَنُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ‌[4].

"The shroud (for burial) is to be provided from the entirety of the wealth (of the deceased)."

وَ رَوَى صَفْوَانُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ بَكْرٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ‌ إِذَا أَتَى عَلَى الْغُلَامِ عَشْرُ سِنِينَ فَإِنَّهُ يَجُوزُ لَهُ فِي مَالِهِ مَا أَعْتَقَ أَوْ تَصَدَّقَ وَ أَوْصَى عَلَى حَدٍّ مَعْرُوفٍ وَ حَقٍّ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ.

"When a boy reaches the age of ten, whatever he does with his wealth - whether he frees a slave, gives charity, or makes a will within reasonable limits and rightful matters - is valid."

وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْمَغْرَاءِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَ الْغُلَامُ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ فَأَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فِي حَقٍّ جَازَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ وَ إِذَا كَانَ ابْنَ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ فَأَوْصَى مِنْ مَالِهِ بِالْيَسِيرِ فِي حَقٍّ جَازَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ.

"If a boy reaches the age of ten and makes a will for one-third of his wealth in a rightful cause, his will is valid. And if he is seven years old and makes a will for a small amount of his wealth in a rightful cause, his will is also valid."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أَوْصَى بِمَالِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ‌[2] فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِ لِمَنْ أَوْصَى لَهُ بِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ‌ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ‌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ‌.

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a man who made a will to give his wealth in the way of Allah (swt). Imam (as) replied: "Give it to the one he specified in his will, even if that person is a Jew or a Christian. Indeed, Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, says: 'But whoever changes it after hearing it, the sin is onl

لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ أَنْ أَضَعَ مَالَهُ فِي يَهُودِيٍّ أَوْ نَصْرَانِيٍّ لَوَضَعْتُهُ فِيهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ‌ فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَنْ يَخْرُجُ فِي هَذِهِ الْوُجُوهِ يَعْنِي الثُّغُورَ فَابْعَثُوا بِهِ إِلَيْهِ.

Hadith.5463 - Sahl ibn Ziyad narrated from Muhammad ibn Al-Walid from Yunus ibn Yaʿqub: A man in Hamadhan mentioned that his father had passed away. His father was unaware of this matter (the teachings of the Ahl Al-Bayt), and before his death, he made a will instructing that something be given in the way of Allah (swt

لَيْسَ عِنْدِي فِي ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَسَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ الْمَجُوسِيَّ لَمْ يُوصِ لِفُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَكِنْ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِقْدَارُ ذَلِكَ الْمَالِ مِنْ مَالِ الصَّدَقَةِ فَيُرَدَّ عَلَى فُقَرَاءِ الْمَجُوسِ‌[1].

"I have no ruling on this issue." Then he asked Abu Al-Hasan (as), and Abu Al-Hasan (as) replied: "The Magian did not bequeath his wealth to the poor Muslims. Therefore, it is appropriate that an equivalent amount from the charity funds be taken and returned to the poor among the Magians."

صَاحِبُ الْمَالِ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ- مَا دَامَ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ مِنَ الرُّوحِ يَضَعُهُ حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ[3].

لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ قَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

I asked Imam (as), "A man who has children, is it permissible for him to give his wealth to his relatives?" Imam (as) replied: "It is his wealth; he may do with it as he wishes until death comes to him."

"اَلرَّجُلُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ اَلرُّوحُ إِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ كُلِّهِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ لَهُ".

"A man has the most right over his wealth as long as his soul remains in him. If he bequeaths all of it, it is permissible for him."

وَ تَصْدِيقُ ذَلِكَ مَا رَوَاهُ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي زِيَادٍ اَلسَّكُونِيُّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ وَ لاَ وَارِثَ لَهُ وَ لاَ عَصَبَةَ قَالَ "يُوصِي بِمَالِهِ حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ فِي اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ اَلْمَسَاكِينِ وَ اِبْنِ اَلسَّبِيلِ".

Hadith.5469 - And a confirmation of this is what was narrated by Ismaʿil ibn Abi Ziyad Al-Sakuni from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) from his father, Abu Abdullah Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), that he was asked about a man who dies without leaving behind an heir or any male relative (Aṣabah). Imam (as) sa

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ مُتَعَمِّداً فَهُوَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ خالِداً فِيها قِيلَ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ‌ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ ثُمَّ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ مُتَعَمِّداً مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ تُنْفَذُ وَصِيَّتُهُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى قَبْلَ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ حَدَثاً فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنْ جِرَاحَةٍ أَوْ فِعْلٍ أُجِيزَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي ثُلُثِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ وَ قَدْ أَحْدَ

I heard Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) say: "Whoever intentionally kills himself will be in the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever." Imam (as) was asked: "What if he had made a will (waṣiyyah) and then deliberately killed himself immediately after? Will his will be carried out?" Imam (as) replied

الشَّيْ‌ءُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع وَاحِدٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ[1].

Hadith.5473 - Aban ibn Taghlib narrated from Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) that Imam (as) was asked about a man who made a bequest (waṣiyyah) of something from his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "The portion specified in the Book of (Imam) Ali (as) is one out of six parts."

السَّهْمُ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ ثَمَانِيَةٍ لِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ وَ الْعامِلِينَ عَلَيْها وَ الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ فِي الرِّقابِ وَ الْغارِمِينَ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ‌[2].

Hadith.5474 - Al-Sakuni narrated from Abu Abdullah (as) that he was asked about a man who bequeaths a share (sahm) of his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "The share is one out of eight parts, based on the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: "Indeed, the charities are only for the poor, the needy, those employed

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّ السَّهْمَ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ[3].

Hadith.5475 - It has been narrated that "the share is one out of six."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِجُزْءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَقَالَ جُزْءٌ مِنْ عَشَرَةٍ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلى‌ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِنْهُنَّ جُزْءاً وَ كَانَتِ الْجِبَالُ عَشَرَةً.

I asked Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who bequeathed a portion of his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "A portion is one-tenth." Allah (swt), the Almighty, said: "Then place on every mountain a portion (juz') of them" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:260), and the mountains were ten.

سُبُعُ ثُلُثِهِ‌[1].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who bequeathed a portion of his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "It is one-seventh of his one-third share."

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْعَسْكَرِيَّ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِمَالٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ شِيعَتُنَا[2].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan Al-Askari, (Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi (as)) about a man who made a will to dedicate wealth "in the way of Allah (swt)" (fi sabeelillah). Imam (as) replied: "The way of Allah (swt) is our Shia (followers)."

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لِي اصْرِفْهُ فِي الْحَجِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فِي السَّبِيلِ قَالَ اصْرِفْهُ فِي الْحَجِّ فَإِنِّي لَا أَعْلَمُ سَبِيلًا مِنْ سُبُلِهِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْحَجِ‌[3]. قَالَ: سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ شِيعَتُنَا.

I said to Abu Abdullah (as), "A man made a will to me regarding something in the way of Allah (swt)." Imam (as) said to me: "Use it for Hajj." I said: "He made a will to me in the way." Imam (as) said: "Use it for Hajj, for I do not know of any path among His (swt) paths better than Hajj."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ عَنْهُ نَسَمَةً بِسِتِّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ فَانْطَلَقَ الْوَصِيُّ فَأَعْطَى السِّتَّمِائَةِ رَجُلًا يَحُجُّ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَرَى أَنْ يَغْرَمَ الْوَصِيُّ سِتَّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ يَجْعَلَهَا فِيمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ الْمَيِّتُ فِي نَسَمَةٍ[2].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a man who made a will to another man, instructing him to free a soul (a slave) for six hundred dirhams from his one-third share of the inheritance. However, the executor instead gave the six hundred dirhams to a man to perform Hajj on behalf of the deceased. Abu Abdullah (as) said: "I be

أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ وَ فُقَهَاءَ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالُوا تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَلَمَّا لَقِيتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْحَسَنِ فِي الطَّوَافِ سَأَلْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى بِتَرِكَتِهِ إِلَيَّ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَحُجَّ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَنَظَرْتُ فِي ذَلِكَ‌ فَلَمْ يَكْفِ لِلْحَجِّ فَسَأَلْتُ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا مِنَ الْفُقَهَاءِ فَقَالُوا تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَ

A man entrusted me with his estate and instructed me to perform Hajj on his behalf. When I examined the amount, I found it to be very little and insufficient for Hajj. I asked Abu Hanifa and the jurists of Kufa, and they said: 'Give it in charity on his behalf'. Later, when I met Abdullah ibn Al-Hasan during Tawaf, I a

لِأَعْمَامِهِ الثُّلُثَانِ وَ لِأَخْوَالِهِ الثُّلُثُ‌[2].

Hadith.5483 - Al-Hasan bin Mahbub narrated from Ali bin Ri'ab, from Zurara, from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) regarding a man who bequeathed one-third of his wealth to his paternal uncles and maternal uncles. Imam (as) said: "Two-thirds are for his paternal uncles, and one-third is for his maternal unc

وَ كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارُ[2] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع‌ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فِي مَوَالِيهِ وَ مَوْلَيَاتِهِ‌[3] الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ أَوْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ‌ مِنَ الْوَصِيَّةِ فَوَقَّعَ ع جَائِزٌ لِلْمَيِّتِ مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ عَلَى مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌[4].

Hadith.5485 - Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Saffar, may Allah (swt) be pleased with him, wrote to Abu Muhammad Imam Hasan ibn Ali Al-Askari (as) regarding a man who bequeathed one-third of his wealth to his male and female servants, either equally or with the instruction that "the male should receive the share of two female

أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ فَقَالَ يُجْعَلُ ذَلِكَ أَثْلَاثاً ثُلُثاً فِي الْحَجِّ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الْعِتْقِ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ أَهْلِي مَاتَتْ وَ أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ بِثُلُثِ مَالِهَا وَ أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُعْتَقَ عَنْهَا وَ يُحَجَّ عَنْهَا وَ يُتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهَا فَنَظَرْتُ فِيهِ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ فَقَالَ ع ابْدَأْ بِالْحَجِّ فَإِنَّهُ فَرِيضَةٌ مِنْ فَرَ

A woman from my family entrusted me with her wealth and instructed that emancipation (of slaves) be made on her behalf, that Hajj be performed, and that charity be given. However, the amount left was insufficient to cover all that. I consulted Abu Hanifah, and he said: "It should be divided into three parts - one-third

أَعْتِقْ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً حَتَّى ذَكَرَ خَمْسَةً فَنُظِرَ فِي ثُلُثِهِ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ ثُلُثُهُ أَثْمَانَ قِيمَةِ الْمَمَالِيكِ الْخَمْسَةِ الَّذِينَ أَمَرَ بِعِتْقِهِمْ‌[3] قَالَ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى الَّذِينَ سَمَّاهُمْ وَ بَدَأَ بِعِتْقِهِمْ فَيُقَوَّمُونَ وَ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى ثُلُثِهِ فَيُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ أَوَّلُ شَيْ‌ءٍ ذَكَرَ ثُمَّ الثَّانِي وَ الثَّالِثُ ثُمَّ الرَّابِعُ ثُمَّ الْخَامِسُ فَإِنْ عَجَزَ الثّ

Hadith.5493 - Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub narrated from Abu Jamilah from Humran from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) regarding a man who, on his deathbed, made a will saying, "Free so-and-so, and so-and-so, and so-and-so," until he mentioned five individuals. When his estate was assessed, it was found that one-th

يُبْدَأُ بِالْعِتْقِ فَيُنْفَذُ[5].

Hadith.5495 - Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa narrated from Abu Hammam Ismail ibn Hammam from Abu Al-Hasan (as) regarding a man who, at the time of his death, made a will bequeathing wealth to his relatives and also freed a slave. However, the total of what he bequeathed exceeded one-third of his estate. He was asked how th

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تَحْضُرُهُ الْوَفَاةُ وَ لَهُ مَمَالِيكُ لِخَاصَّةِ نَفْسِهِ وَ مَمَالِيكُ فِي الشِّرْكَةِ مَعَ رَجُلٍ آخَرَ فَيُوصِي فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ مَمَالِيكِي أَحْرَارٌ مَا خَلَا مَمَالِيكِيَ الَّذِينَ فِي الشِّرْكَةِ[4] فَكَتَبَ ع يُقَوَّمُونَ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كَانَ مَالُهُ يَحْتَمِلُ‌[5] ثُمَّ هُمْ‌

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who was on his deathbed and had slaves solely for himself and others jointly owned with another person. In his will, he stated, "My slaves are free, except for those who are in partnership." Imam (as) wrote in response: "They should be appraised against his estate, and if his wealt

لَهُ إِنَّ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ أَوْصَى أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَنْهُ رَقَبَةً فَأَعْتَقْتُ عَنْهُ امْرَأَةً أَ فَتُجْزِيهِ أَوْ أُعْتِقُ عَنْهُ مِنْ مَالِي قَالَ يُجْزِيهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ أُمَّ ابْنِي أَوْصَتْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَنْهَا رَقَبَةً فَأَعْتَقْتُ عَنْهَا امْرَأَةً[3].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), "Alqamah ibn Muhammad instructed me in his will to free a slave on his behalf, so I freed a female slave for him. Is that sufficient, or should I free another from my own wealth?" Imam (as) replied: "It suffices him." Then Imam (as) added, "Indeed, Faṭimah, the mother of my son, had instructe

إِنْ كَانَ صَرُورَةً حُجَّ عَنْهُ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ‌[4] وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَيْرَ صَرُورَةٍ فَمِنَ الثُّلُثِ‌[5].

I asked Imam (as) about a man who died and had instructed that Hajj be performed on his behalf. Imam (as) replied: "If he had never performed Hajj (was a ṣarurah), then Hajj should be performed on his behalf from the middle of his wealth. But if he was not a ṣarurah, then it should be performed from one-third of his we

وَ قَالَ‌ فِي امْرَأَةٍ أَوْصَتْ بِمَالٍ فِي عِتْقٍ وَ حَجٍّ وَ صَدَقَةٍ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ قَالَ ابْدَأْ بِالْحَجِّ فَإِنَّهُ مَفْرُوضٌ فَإِنْ بَقِيَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاجْعَلْ فِي الصَّدَقَةِ طَائِفَةً وَ فِي الْعِتْقِ طَائِفَةً[6].

Hadith.5500 - And Imam (as) said regarding a woman who bequeathed her wealth for emancipation (freeing slaves), performing Hajj, and giving charity, but her wealth was insufficient: "Begin with Hajj because it is an obligation. If anything remains, allocate a portion for charity and a portion for emancipation."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُعْتَقَ عَنْهُ نَسَمَةٌ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَاشْتَرَى الْوَصِيُّ نَسَمَةً بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ فَضَلَتْ فَضْلَةٌ فَمَا تَرَى فِي الْفَضْلَةِ قَالَ تُدْفَعُ إِلَى النَّسَمَةِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُعْتَقَ ثُمَّ تُعْتَقُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ‌[4].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who had made a will that a soul be freed on his behalf from one-third of his wealth with five hundred dirhams. The executor of the will bought a soul for less than five hundred, and some amount remained. What do you say about the remaining amount? Imam (as) said: "It should be giv

لَهُ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ النَّصْلُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ السَّيْفُ فَقَالَ لَا بَلِ السَّيْفُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى بِصُنْدُوقٍ لِرَجُلٍ وَ كَانَ فِيهِ مَالٌ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الصُّنْدُوقُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْمَالُ فَقَالَ الصُّنْدُوقُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ.

I asked him about a man who bequeathed a sword to another man, and the sword was in its sheath and adorned with decorations. The heirs said to him, "Only the blade belongs to you, not the sword (with its accessories)." Imam (as) said: "No, rather the sword with everything it contains belongs to him." I said to Imam (as

مَعَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى هَلْ لِلْوَصِيِّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ شَيْئاً مِنْ مَالِ الْمَيِّتِ إِذَا بِيعَ فِيمَنْ زَادَ يَزِيدُ[2] وَ يَأْخُذُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ إِذَا اشْتَرَى صَحِيحاً[3].

I wrote along with Muhammad ibn Yahya asking whether the executor of a will is permitted to purchase something from the deceased's estate when it is sold to the highest bidder and take it for himself. Imam (as) replied: "It is permissible if he purchases it properly."