Work & Livelihood

قَالَ ع‌ لَا بَأْسَ بِكَسْبِ الْمَاشِطَةِ إِذَا لَمْ تُشَارِطْ وَ قَبِلَتْ مَا تُعْطَى وَ لَا تَصِلُ شَعْرَ الْمَرْأَةِ بِشَعْرِ امْرَأَةٍ غَيْرِهَا فَأَمَّا شَعْرُ الْمَعْزِ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يُوصَلَ بِشَعْرِ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِكَسْبِ النَّائِحَةِ إِذَا قَالَتْ صِدْقاً[2].

Hadith.3591 - Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in the earnings of a hairdresser if she does not stipulate a specific payment and accepts what is given to her. However, she should not attach the hair of one woman to the hair of another woman. As for the hair of goats, there is no harm in attaching it to a woman's hair.

وَ رُوِيَ أَنَّهَا تَسْتَحِلُّهُ بِضَرْبِ إِحْدَى يَدَيْهَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى‌[3].

Hadith.3592 - It is narrated: "She makes it permissible by striking one of her hands against the other."

لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَيْنَ الرِّجَالُ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ عَمِلَ بِالْيَدِ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي وَ مِنْ أَبِي فِي أَرْضِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ هُوَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ آبَائِي ع كُلُّهُمْ قَدْ عَمِلُوا بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ هُوَ مِنْ عَمَلِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ.

"I saw Abu Al-Hasan (as) working in his land, and his feet were soaked in sweat. I said to him, 'May I be your ransom! Where are the men (to assist you)?' Imam (as) replied: 'O Ali, one who is better than me and my father worked with his hands in his land.' I asked him, 'Who is that?' He said: 'The Messenger of Allah (

فَبَكَى دَاوُدُ ع فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى الْحَدِيدِ أَنْ لِنْ لِعَبْدِي دَاوُدَ فَلَانَ‌ فَأَلَانَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ[1] فَكَانَ يَعْمَلُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ دِرْعاً فَيَبِيعُهَا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَعَمِلَ ع ثَلَاثَمِائَةٍ وَ سِتِّينَ دِرْعاً فَبَاعَهَا بِثَلَاثِمِائَةٍ وَ سِتِّينَ أَلْفاً وَ اسْتَغْنَى عَنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ.

Hadith.3594 - It is narrated from Sharif ibn Sabiq Al-Taflisi, from Al-Fadl ibn Abi Qurrah Al-Samandi Al-Kufi, from Abu Abdullah (as), that Commander of the Faithful (as) said: "Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, revealed to Dawud (as): 'You are an excellent servant, except that you eat from the public treasury an

لَا دَعُونِي فَإِنِّي أَشْتَهِي أَنْ يَرَانِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْمَلُ بِيَدِي وَ أَطْلُبُ الْحَلَالَ فِي أَذَى نَفْسِي.

Hadith.3595 - It is narrated from Al-Fadl ibn Abi Qurrah: "We entered upon Abu Abdullah (as) while he was working in his garden. We said: 'May Allah (swt) make us your ransom! Let us work for you, or let the servants handle it.' Imam (as) replied: 'No, leave me to it, for I desire that Allah (swt), the Almighty and Maj

وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَخْرُجُ فِي اَلْهَاجِرَةِ فِي اَلْحَاجَةِ قَدْ كُفِيَهَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَرَاهُ اَللَّهُ تَعَالَى يُتْعِبُ نَفْسَهُ فِي طَلَبِ اَلْحَلاَلِ.

Hadith.3596 - It is reported that Commander of the Faithful (as) used to go out during the midday heat for tasks that had already been taken care of, desiring that Allah (swt), the Exalted, would see him exerting himself in the pursuit of lawful sustenance.

لَهُ إِنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ كَسْبَ الْمُعَلِّمِ سُحْتٌ فَقَالَ كَذَبَ أَعْدَاءُ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَنْ لَا يُعَلِّمُوا أَوْلَادَهُمُ الْقُرْآنَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَعْطَى الْمُعَلِّمَ دِيَةَ وَلَدِهِ كَانَ لِلْمُعَلِّمِ مُبَاحاً.

Hadith.3597 - It is reported from al-Fadl ibn Abi Qurrah that he said: I asked Abu Abdillah (as), "These people claim that the earnings of a teacher are unlawful." Imam (as) replied: "The enemies of Allah (swt) have lied! They only intend to prevent their children from learning the Quran. If a man were to give the teac

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَتْجَرُهُ فِي بِلَادِهِ وَ يَكُونَ خُلَطَاؤُهُ صَالِحِينَ وَ يَكُونَ لَهُ أَوْلَادٌ يَسْتَعِينُ بِهِمْ.

Hadith.3598 - Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) said: "Part of a man's happiness is that his business is in his own land, that his associates are righteous, and that he has children who assist him."

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي اتَّخَذْتُ رَحًى فِيهَا مَجْلِسِي وَ يَجْلِسُ إِلَيَّ فِيهَا أَصْحَابِي قَالَ ذَاكَ رِفْقُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[1].

I said to Abu Abdullah (as): "I have set up a millstone, and it is my sitting place where my companions also sit with me." Imam (as) said: "That is Allah's (swt) mercy."

لِلْوَلِيدِ بْنِ صَبِيحٍ[2] يَا وَلِيدُ لَا تَشْتَرِ لِي مِنْ مُحَارَفٍ شَيْئاً فَإِنَّ خُلْطَتَهُ لَا بَرَكَةَ فِيهَا[3]

قَالَ ع‌ لَا تُخَالِطُوا وَ لَا تُعَامِلُوا إِلَّا مَنْ نَشَأَ فِي الْخَيْرِ[4].

Hadith.3601 - Imam (as) said: "Do not associate with or conduct business except with those who have been raised in goodness."

قَالَ ع‌ احْذَرُوا مُعَامَلَةَ أَصْحَابِ الْعَاهَاتِ فَإِنَّهُمْ أَظْلَمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ[5].

Hadith.3602 - Imam (as) said: "Beware of dealing with those who have defects, for they are the most unjust of people."

قَالَ ع لِأَبِي الرَّبِيعِ الشَّامِيِ‌ لَا تُخَالِطِ الْأَكْرَادَ فَإِنَّ الْأَكْرَادَ حَيٌّ مِنَ الْجِنِّ كَشَفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُمُ الْغِطَاءَ[6].

Hadith.3603 - Imam (as) said to Abu Al-Rabi' Al-Shami: "Do not associate with the Kurds, for the Kurds are a group from the Jinn whom Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, has removed the veil from."

قَالَ ع‌ لَا تَسْتَعِنْ بِمَجُوسِيٍّ- وَ لَوْ عَلَى أَخْذِ قَوَائِمِ شَاتِكَ وَ أَنْتَ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَذْبَحَهَا.

Hadith.3604 - Imam (as) said: "Do not seek the assistance of a Magian, even for holding the legs of your sheep while you intend to slaughter it."

قَالَ ع‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ مُخَالَطَةَ السَّفِلَةِ- فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَئُولُ إِلَى خَيْرٍ.

Hadith.3605 - Imam (as) said: "Beware of associating with the lowly, for it does not lead to any good."

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي قَدْ تَرَكْتُ التِّجَارَةَ فَقَالَ لَا تَفْعَلْ افْتَحْ بَابَكَ وَ ابْسُطْ بِسَاطَكَ وَ اسْتَرْزِقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّكَ‌[2].

Hadith.3606 - Al-Fudhayl ibn Yasaar asked Abu Abdullah (as): "I have abandoned trade." Imam (as) replied: "Do not do that. Open your door, spread your mat, and seek sustenance from your Lord (azj), Allah (swt)."

قَالَ سَدِيرٌ الصَّيْرَفِيُ‌[3] قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ إِذَا فَتَحْتَ بَابَكَ وَ بَسَطْتَ بِسَاطَكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ مَا عَلَيْكَ.

Hadith.3607 - Sadir Al-Sayrafi said: I asked Abu Abdullah (as): "What is required of a man in seeking sustenance?" Imam (as) replied: "O Sadir, if you open your door and spread your mat, then you have fulfilled what is required of you."

قَالَ ع‌[4] إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ أَرْزَاقَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُونَ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا لَمْ يَعْرِفْ وَجْهَ رِزْقِهِ كَثُرَ دُعَاؤُهُ.

Hadith.3608 - Imam (as) said: "Indeed, Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, has made the sustenance of the believers come from where they do not expect. This is because when a servant does not know the source of his sustenance, his supplications increase."

قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌ كُنْ لِمَا لَا تَرْجُو أَرْجَى مِنْكَ لِمَا تَرْجُو فَإِنَّ مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ ع خَرَجَ يَقْتَبِسُ لِأَهْلِهِ نَاراً فَكَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ رَجَعَ نَبِيّاً وَ خَرَجَتْ مَلِكَةُ- سَبَإٍ فَأَسْلَمَتْ مَعَ سُلَيْمَانَ ع وَ خَرَجَتْ سَحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ يَطْلُبُونَ الْعِزَّةَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ فَرَجَعُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ‌[5].

Hadith.3609 - Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "Be more hopeful for what you do not expect than for what you expect. Indeed, Moses, son of Imran (as), went out to fetch fire for his family, but Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, spoke to him, and he returned as a prophet. And the Queen of Sheba went out and embra

وَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع عِدْنِي قَالَ كَيْفَ‌ أَعِدُكَ وَ أَنَا لِمَا لَا أَرْجُو أَرْجَى مِنِّي لِمَا أَرْجُو[1].

Hadith.3610 - A man said to Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as): "Promise me something." Imam (as) replied: "How can I promise you, when I have more hope in what I do not expect than in what I do expect?"

مَا سَدَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ بَابَ رِزْقٍ إِلَّا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ.

قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِرِزْقٍ لَمْ يَخْطُ إِلَيْهِ بِرِجْلِهِ وَ لَمْ يَمُدَّ إِلَيْهِ يَدَهُ وَ لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ فِيهِ بِلِسَانِهِ وَ لَمْ يَشُدَّ إِلَيْهِ ثِيَابَهُ‌[2] وَ لَمْ يَتَعَرَّضْ لَهُ كَانَ مِمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ مَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجاً وَ يَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَحْتَسِبُ‌

Hadith.3612 - It is narrated by Al-Sakooni, from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), from his forefathers (peace be upon them) that Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "Whoever receives sustenance from Allah (swt), the Almighty and Glorious, without having walked to

الْمَعُونَةُ تَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْمَئُونَةِ

غِنًى يَحْجُزُكَ عَنِ الظُّلْمِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ فَقْرٍ يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى الْإِثْمِ

قَالَ ع‌ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ لَا يُحِبُّ جَمْعَ الْمَالِ مِنْ حَلَالٍ فَيَكُفَّ بِهِ وَجْهَهُ وَ يَقْضِيَ بِهِ دَيْنَهُ وَ يَصِلَ بِهِ رَحِمَهُ.

Hadith.3615 - Imam (as) said: "There is no good in one who does not desire to earn wealth through lawful means, so that he may protect his dignity, pay off his debts, and maintain ties of kinship."

مِنَ الْمُرُوءَةِ اسْتِصْلَاحُ الْمَالِ[3]

إِصْلَاحُ الْمَالِ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ

لَا يَصْلُحُ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ إِلَّا بِثَلَاثٍ التَّفَقُّهِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ التَّقْدِيرِ فِي الْمَعِيشَةِ وَ الصَّبْرِ عَلَى النَّائِبَةِ[4]

قَالَ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ إِذَا أَحْرَزَتْ قُوتَهَا

Hadith.3619 - The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "Indeed, when the soul secures its provision, it becomes content."

"أَنَا أَفْعَلُهُ".

Hadith.3620 - Mu'ammar ibn Khallad asked Abu al-Hasan Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (as) about storing food for a year. Imam (as) replied: "I do it myself."

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ‌ مَا مِنْ نَفَقَةٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ نَفَقَةِ قَصْدٍ وَ يُبْغِضُ الْإِسْرَافَ إِلَّا فِي الْحَجِّ وَ الْعُمْرَةِ فَرَحِمَ اللَّهُ مُؤْمِناً كَسَبَ طَيِّباً وَ أَنْفَقَ مِنْ قَصْدٍ أَوْ قَدَّمَ فَضْلًا[1].

Hadith.3621 - Ibn Abi Ya'fur narrated from Abu Abdullah (as) that he said: "The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'There is no spending more beloved to Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, than moderate spending. He (swt) dislikes extravagance, except in Hajj and Umrah. May Allah (swt)

قَالَ الْعَالِمُ ع‌ ضَمِنْتُ لِمَنِ اقْتَصَدَ أَنْ لَا يَفْتَقِرَ.

Hadith.3622 - The Scholar, Imam (as) said: "I guarantee that whoever practices moderation will never become poor."

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُنْفِقُ مَالَهُ فِي حَقٍّ وَ إِنَّهُ لَمُسْرِفٌ‌[2].

Hadith.3623 - Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) said: "A man may spend his wealth on what is right, yet still be considered extravagant."

لِلْمُسْرِفِ ثَلَاثُ عَلَامَاتٍ يَأْكُلُ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ[3] وَ يَشْتَرِي مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ وَ يَلْبَسُ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ.

مِنَ الْفَسَادِ قَطْعُ الدِّرْهَمِ وَ الدِّينَارِ وَ طَرْحُ النَّوَى[4].

ثَوْبُ صَوْنِكَ تَبْتَذِلُهُ‌[5] وَ فَضْلُ الْإِنَاءِ تُهَرِيقُهُ وَ قَذْفُكَ النَّوَى هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا[6].

Hadith.3626 - Ishaq ibn Ammar asked Abu Abdullah (as) about the least form of extravagance. Imam (as) replied: "Wearing your garment of dignity for ordinary tasks, spilling the excess of what is in your vessel, and carelessly throwing away date pits like this and that."

يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِمْ دُعَاؤُهُمْ‌[1] رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ يَبْلُغُ ثَلَاثِينَ أَلْفاً أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفاً فَأَنْفَقَهُ فِي وُجُوهِهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَ لَمْ أَرْزُقْكَ وَ رَجُلٌ أَمْسَكَ عَنِ الطَّلَبِ‌[2] فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْ لَكَ السَّبِيلَ إِلَى الطَّلَبِ وَ رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ عِنْدَهُ امْرَأَةٌ فَقَالَ اللّ

Hadith.3627 - Al-Walid ibn Sabih narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that he said: "Three people make supplications, but their prayers are not answered"-or he said: "their prayers are returned to them": A man who had a large amount of wealth, reaching thirty thousand or forty thousand, and spent it with

قَالَ ع‌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ يَكُونَ الْقَيِّمَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ‌[3].

Hadith.3628 - Imam (as) said: "Part of a man's happiness is that he is the caretaker of his family."

قَالَ ع‌ كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ إِثْماً أَنْ يُضَيِّعَ مَنْ يَعُولُ‌[4].

Hadith.3629 - Imam (as) said: "It is sufficient for a man to be sinful if he neglects those he is responsible for."

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ مَلْعُونٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ يُضَيِّعُ مَنْ يَعُولُ.

Hadith.3630 - The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Cursed, cursed is the one who neglects those he is responsible for."

قَالَ ع‌ الْكَادُّ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ مِنْ حَلَالٍ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ.

Hadith.3631 - Imam (as) said: "The one who strives to provide for his family through lawful means is like a warrior in the path of Allah (swt)."

لَا تَتَعَرَّضُوا لِلْحُقُوقِ- فَإِذَا لَزِمَتْكُمْ فَاصْبِرُوا لَهَا[5].

لَا تَبْذُلْ لِإِخْوَانِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ مَا ضَرَرُهُ عَلَيْكَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِ لَهُمْ[6]

إِيَّاكَ وَ الْكَسَلَ وَ الضَّجَرَ[1] فَإِنَّهُمَا مِفْتَاحُ كُلِّ سُوءٍ إِنَّهُ مَنْ كَسِلَ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ حَقّاً وَ مَنْ ضَجِرَ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ عَلَى حَقٍّ.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَيُبْغِضُ الْعَبْدَ النَّوَّامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَيُبْغِضُ الْعَبْدَ الْفَارِغَ

لِبَشِيرٍ النَّبَّالِ إِذَا رُزِقْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَالْزَمْهُ[2]

انْظُرْ بُيُوعاً فَاشْتَرِهَا ثُمَّ بِعْهَا فَمَا رَبِحْتَ فِيهِ فَالْزَمْهُ‌[3].

Hadith.3637 - Ishaq ibn Ammar narrated from Abu Abdullah (as): A man complained to the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) about trade. The Prophet said: "Look for merchandise, purchase it, and then sell it. Whatever you profit from it, remain committed to it."

بَاشِرْ كِبَارَ أُمُورِكَ بِنَفْسِكَ وَ كِلْ مَا صَغُرَ مِنْهَا إِلَى غَيْرِكَ[4] فَقِيلَ ضَرْبُ أَيِّ شَيْءٍ فَقَالَ ضَرْبُ أَشْرِيَةِ الْعَقَارِ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَهَا[5]

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَكُونَنَّ دَوَّاراً فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ وَ لَا تَلِي شِرَاءَ دَقَائِقِ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِنَفْسِكَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ ذِي الدِّينِ وَ الْحَسَبِ أَنْ يَلِيَ شِرَاءَ دَقَائِقِ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِنَفْسِهِ مَا خَلَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَشْيَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْبَغِي لِذِي الدِّينِ وَ الْحَسَبِ أَنْ يَلِيَهَا بِنَفْسِهِ الْعَقَارَ وَ الْإِبِلَ وَ الرَّقِيقَ.

Hadith.3639 - It is narrated from Al-Arqat that Abu Abdillah (as) said: "Do not spend your time wandering through markets, nor personally handle the purchase of minor goods. It does not befit a Muslim who possesses faith and honor to involve himself directly in purchasing small items-except in three matters. It is prop

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَحْتَطِبُ وَ يَسْتَقِي وَ يَكْنُسُ وَ كَانَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع تَطْحَنُ وَ تَعْجِنُ وَ تَخْبِزُ.