Work & Livelihood

لَهُ أَجْرُ بُيُوتِهَا[1] إِلَّا الَّذِي كَانَ فِي أَيْدِي دَهَاقِينِهَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدِ اشْتَرَطَ عَلَى أَصْحَابِ الْأَرْضِ مَا فِي أَيْدِي الدَّهَاقِينِ‌[2].

Hadith.3891 - Sama'ah asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a man who leases land with the consent of its owners, based on specific conditions agreed upon with them. Imam (as) said: "He is entitled to the rent of its houses, except for what is already in the possession of its cultivators (dahaaqeen), unless he stipulated with

إِذَا تَقَبَّلْتَ أَرْضاً بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسِ أَهْلِهَا عَلَى شَرْطٍ شَارَطْتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ لَكَ كُلَّ فَضْلٍ فِي حَرْثِهَا إِذَا وَفَيْتَ لَهُمْ وَ إِنَّكَ إِنْ رَمَمْتَ فِيهَا مَرَمَّةً وَ أَحْدَثْتَ فِيهَا بِنَاءً فَإِنَّ لَكَ أَجْرَ بُيُوتِهَا إِلَّا مَا كَانَ فِي أَيْدِي دَهَاقِينِهَا.

لَهُ صَاحِبُ الْأَرْضِ الَّذِي آجَرَهُ أَنَا أَدْخُلُ مَعَكَ فِيهَا بِمَا اسْتَأْجَرْتَ فَنُنْفِقُ جَمِيعاً[3] فَمَا كَانَ فِيهَا مِنْ فَضْلٍ كَانَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ.

I asked Imam (as) about a man who rented land for one thousand dirhams, then subleased part of it for two hundred dirhams. Later, the owner of the land who had leased it to him said: "I will join you in it under the same terms you rented it, and we will spend on it together, and whatever profit it yields will be shared

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَأْجَرَ مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَرْضاً فَقَالَ آجِرْنِيهَا بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا إِنْ زَرَعْتُهَا أَوْ لَمْ أَزْرَعْهَا أُعْطِيكَ‌ ذَلِكَ فَلَمْ يَزْرَعِ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَهُ بِمَالِهِ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ‌[1].

I asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a man who rented land from another man and said: "Rent it to me for such-and-such amount, whether I cultivate it or not, I will pay you that amount." However, the man did not cultivate the land. Imam (as) said: "The owner has the right to claim the payment. If he wishes, he may waive it,

وَ مَا الْأَرْبِعَاءُ قَالَ الشِّرْبُ وَ النِّطَافُ فَضْلُ الْمَاءِ[3] وَ لَكِنْ تَتَقَبَّلُهَا بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ النِّصْفِ وَ الثُّلُثِ وَ الرُّبُعِ.

"Do not rent land in exchange for dates, wheat, barley, water shares (arbi'a'), or surplus water (nitaaf)." I asked: "What is arbi'a'?" Imam (as) said: "It means water shares, and nitaaf refers to surplus water. However, you may lease the land for gold, silver, half, a third, or a quarter."

عَلَيْهِ الْكِرَى وَ يُقَوِّمُ صَاحِبُ الدَّارِ ذَلِكَ الْغَرْسَ وَ الزَّرْعَ فَيُعْطِيهِ الْغَارِسَ إِنْ كَانَ اسْتَأْمَرَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اسْتَأْمَرَهُ فَعَلَيْهِ الْكِرَى وَ لَهُ الْغَرْسُ وَ الزَّرْعُ يَقْلَعُهُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِهِ حَيْثُ شَاءَ.

Hadith.3896 - Muhammad bin Muslim narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Al-Baqir (as) regarding a man who rented a house that included a garden. The tenant planted crops, palm trees, and other fruit-bearing trees without seeking the landlord's permission. Imam (as) said: "He is responsible for paying the rent. The landlord sho

لَهُ جُعِلْتُ‌ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لَنَا ضِيَاعاً وَ لَهَا الدُّولَابُ وَ فِيهَا مَرَاعِي وَ لِلرَّجُلِ مِنَّا غَنَمٌ وَ إِبِلٌ وَ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى تِلْكَ الْمَرَاعِي لِغَنَمِهِ وَ إِبِلِهِ أَ يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَحْمِيَ الْمَرَاعِيَ لِحَاجَتِهِ إِلَيْهَا قَالَ إِذَا كَانَتِ الْأَرْضُ أَرْضَهُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَحْمِيَ وَ يُصَيِّرَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى مَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَبِيعُ الْمَرْعَى فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ

I said to him, "May I be your ransom, we have lands that contain waterwheels and pastures, and some of us have sheep and camels and need these pastures for them. Is it permissible for him to reserve the pastures for his own need?" Imam (as) said: "If the land is his, then he may reserve it and allocate it according to

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أُشَارِكُ الْعِلْجَ الْمُشْرِكَ‌[2] فَيَكُونُ مِنْ عِنْدِي الْأَرْضُ وَ الْبَقَرُ وَ الْبَذْرُ وَ يَكُونُ عَلَى الْعِلْجِ الْقِيَامُ وَ السَّعْيُ وَ الْعَمَلُ فِي الزَّرْعِ حَتَّى يَصِيرَ حِنْطَةً أَوْ شَعِيراً وَ تَكُونُ الْقِسْمَةُ فَيَأْخُذُ السُّلْطَانُ حَظَّهُ‌[3] وَ يَبْقَى مَا بَقِيَ عَلَى أَنَّ لِلْعِلْجِ مِنْهُ الثُّلُثَ وَ لِيَ الْبَاقِيَ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ ع

I said to Abu Abdillah (as): "I partner with a non-Muslim (al-ilj) in such a way that the land, cattle, and seeds are provided by me, and the non-Muslim is responsible for managing, working, and cultivating the crops until they become wheat or barley. Afterward, harvest is divided, the authorities take their share, and

يَتَقَبَّلُ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مُسَمًّى‌[6] إِلَى سِنِينَ مُسَمَّاةٍ فَيَعْمُرُ وَ يُؤَدِّي الْخَرَاجَ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهَا عُلُوجٌ فَلَا يُدْخِلِ الْعُلُوجَ فِي الْقَبَالَةِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يَحِلُ‌[1].

Abu Abdillah (as) was asked about a piece of land that a man wanted to lease. He was asked which form of leasing (qabalah) is permissible. Imam (as) said: "He may lease it from its owners for a specified amount and for a specified number of years. He should cultivate it and pay the required tax (kharaj). However, if th

لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[2] إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَيْسَتْ مِثْلَ الْأَجِيرِ وَ لَا مِثْلَ الْبَيْتِ إِنَّ فَضْلَ الْأَجِيرِ وَ الْبَيْتِ حَرَامٌ‌[3].

Abu Abdillah (as) was asked about a man who leases land from the landowners (dahaaqeen) and then subleases it for more than what he leased it for, while also being responsible for paying the taxes required by the authorities. Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in that. Land is not like a hired worker or a rented house,

وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا اسْتَأْجَرَ دَاراً بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ فَسَكَنَ ثُلُثَيْهَا وَ آجَرَ ثُلُثَهَا بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يُؤَاجِرْهَا بِأَكْثَرَ مِمَّا اسْتَأْجَرَهَا[4].

Hadith.3901 - If a man rents a house for ten dirhams, lives in two-thirds of it, and subleases one-third of it for ten dirhams, there is no harm in that. However, he must not sublease it for more than what he rented it for.

وَ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌[5] عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَرْضاً مِنْ أَرْضِ الْخَرَاجِ‌

Hadith.3902 - Abu Abdillah (as) was asked about a man who rented land from the kharaj lands for a specified amount of dirhams or a specified quantity of food. He then subleased it, piece by piece or plot by plot, for a known price, and gained a profit over what he rented it for from the authorities without spending any

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بِيعَ الْحَائِطُ وَ فِيهِ النَّخْلُ وَ الشَّجَرُ سَنَةً وَاحِدَةً فَلَا يُبَاعَنَّ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ ثَمَرَتُهُ وَ إِذَا بِيعَ سَنَتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثاً فَلَا بَأْسَ بِبَيْعِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الْخَضِرِ[4].

Hadith.3903 - It is narrated from Abu Al-Rabi' who said that Abu Abdillah (as) said: "Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) used to say: If an orchard containing palm trees and other trees is sold for one year, it should not be sold until its fruits have ripened. However, if it is sold for two or three years,

لَا يُسَمِّي بَقَراً وَ لَا بَذْراً وَ لَكِنْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِ الْأَرْضِ أُزَارِعُكَ فِي أَرْضِكَ وَ لَكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا مِمَّا أَخْرَجَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهَا.

Hadith.3904 - It is narrated from Abu Al-Rabi', from Abu Abdillah (as), regarding a man who cultivates another man's land on the condition that one-third is allocated for the oxen, one-third for the seeds, and one-third for the landowner. Imam (as) said: "He should not specify shares for the oxen or the seeds. Instead,

قَالَ أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ يَأْتِي أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ وَ قَدِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْهِمُ السُّلْطَانُ فَضَعُفُوا عَنِ الْقِيَامِ بِخَرَاجِهَا وَ الْقَرْيَةُ فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ وَ لَا يُدْرَى لَهُمْ هِيَ أَمْ لِغَيْرِهِمْ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَيَدْفَعُونَهَا إِلَيْهِ عَلَى أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ خَرَاجَهَا فَيَأْخُذُهَا مِنْهُمْ وَ يُؤَدِّي خَرَاجَهَا وَ يَفْضُلُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ لَا

Hadith.3905 - Abu Al-Rabi' said that Abu Abdillah (as) was asked about a man who comes to the people of a village that has been overburdened by the authorities, making them unable to pay its taxes. The village remains in their possession, but it is unclear whether it fully belongs to them or if others have a share in i

لَا بَأْسَ قَدْ قَبَّلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- أَهْلَ خَيْبَرَ[1] أَعْطَاهَا الْيَهُودَ حِينَ فُتِحَتْ عَلَيْهِ بِالْخَبْرِ وَ الْخَبْرُ هُوَ النِّصْفُ‌[2].

I asked Imam (as) about farming partnerships with the people of kharaj lands based on a quarter, a third, or half of the yield. Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in it. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) made an agreement with the Jews of Khaybar when it was conquered,

لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَسْمَعُ قَوْماً يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الزِّرَاعَةَ مَكْرُوهَةٌ فَقَالَ ازْرَعُوا وَ اغْرِسُوا فَلَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا عَمِلَ النَّاسُ عَمَلًا أَحَلَّ وَ أَطْيَبَ مِنْهُ وَ اللَّهِ لَيَزْرَعُنَّ الزَّرْعَ وَ النَّخْلَ بَعْدَ خُرُوجِ الدَّجَّالِ‌[4].

Hadith.3907 - Muhammad bin Khalid narrated from Ibn Sayyabah, from Abu Abdillah (as): A man asked Imam (as): "May I be your ransom! I hear some people saying that farming is disliked." Imam (as) said: "Cultivate and plant! By Allah (swt), people have not engaged in any work more lawful and pure than this. By Allah (swt

لَا تَسْتَأْجِرِ الْأَرْضَ بِحِنْطَةٍ ثُمَّ تَزْرَعُهَا حِنْطَةً[1].

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَزْرَعُ لَهُ الْحَرَّاثُ الزَّعْفَرَانَ وَ يَضْمَنُ لَهُ‌[3] عَلَى أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ فِي جَرِيبِ أَرْضٍ يَمْسَحُ عَلَيْهِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً[4] فَرُبَّمَا نَقَصَ وَ غَرِمَ وَ رُبَّمَا زَادَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا تَرَاضَيَا.

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man whose farmer plants saffron for him and guarantees to pay him a specified amount of dirhams for each measured jarib of land. Sometimes the yield is less, causing a loss, and sometimes it is more, yielding a profit. Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in it if they mutually agree."

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَتَكَارَى مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ السَّفِينَةَ سَنَةً وَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أَقَلَّ قَالَ الْكِرَى لَازِمٌ إِلَى الْوَقْتِ الَّذِي تَكَارَى إِلَيْهِ وَ الْخِيَارُ فِي أَخْذِ الْكِرَى إِلَى رَبِّهَا إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ‌[5].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who rents a house or a boat from another man for a year, more, or less. Imam (as) said: "The lease is binding until the agreed-upon time. As for the payment of the rent, it is up to the owner, if he wishes, he may take it, and if he wishes, he may waive it."

سَأَلَ عَلِيٌّ الصَّائِغُ‌[6] أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فَقَالَ أَتَقَبَّلُ الْعَمَلَ فَأُقَبِّلُهُ‌ مِنَ الْغِلْمَانِ يَعْمَلُونَ مَعِي بِالثُّلُثَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا أَنْ تُعَالِجَ مَعَهُمْ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُذِيبُهُ لَهُمْ‌[1] قَالَ ذَلِكَ عَمَلٌ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

Hadith.3911 - Ali the goldsmith asked Abu Abdillah (as): "I take on work and then hire young workers to assist me, giving them two-thirds of the earnings. Is this permissible?" Imam (as) said: "This is not permissible unless you work alongside them." I said: "What if I melt the gold for them?" Imam (as) said: "That is

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَتَقَبَّلُ الثِّيَابَ أَخِيطُهَا فَأُعْطِيهَا الْغِلْمَانَ بِالثُّلُثَيْنِ قَالَ أَ لَيْسَ تَعْمَلُ فِيهَا قُلْتُ أُقَطِّعُهَا وَ أَشْتَرِي لَهُمُ الْخُيُوطَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

I said to Abu Abdillah (as), "I take on garments to sew and then give them to young workers, keeping one-third and giving them two-thirds. Is this permissible?" Imam (as) said: "Don't you also work on them?" I said: "I cut the fabric and buy the threads for them." Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in that."

تُكَارِي هَذَا الْبَيْتَ قُلْتُ بَيْنَهُمَا بَابٌ وَ أَنَا شَابٌّ قَالَتْ أَنَا أُغْلِقُ الْبَابَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ فَحَوَّلْتُ مَتَاعِي فِيهِ وَ قُلْتُ لَهَا أَغْلِقِي الْبَابَ فَقَالَتْ تَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ الرَّوْحُ دَعْهُ فَقُلْتُ لَا أَنَا شَابٌّ وَ أَنْتِ شَابَّةٌ أَغْلِقِيهِ قَالَتِ اقْعُدْ أَنْتَ فِي بَيْتِكَ فَلَسْتُ آتِيكَ وَ لَا أَقْرَبُكَ وَ أَبَتْ أَنْ تُغْلِقَهُ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَ

I entered Medina looking for a house to rent. I came across a property with two rooms separated by a door, and a woman was living there. She said: "Would you like to rent this room?" I said: "But there is a door between the two rooms, and I am a young man." She said: "I will close the door between me and you." So, I mo

وَ كَتَبَ أَبُو هَمَّامٍ إِلَى أَبِي اَلْحَسَنِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي رَجُلٍ اِسْتَأْجَرَ ضَيْعَةً مِنْ رَجُلٍ فَبَاعَ اَلْمُؤَاجِرُ تِلْكَ اَلضَّيْعَةَ بِحَضْرَةِ اَلْمُسْتَأْجِرِ وَ لَمْ يُنْكِرِ اَلْمُسْتَأْجِرُ اَلْبَيْعَ وَ كَانَ حَاضِراً لَهُ شَاهِداً عَلَيْهِ فَمَاتَ اَلْمُشْتَرِي وَ لَهُ وَرَثَةٌ هَلْ يَرْجِعُ ذَلِكَ اَلشَّيْءُ فِي مِيرَاثِ اَلْمَيِّتِ أَوْ يَثْبُتُ فِي يَدِ اَلْمُسْتَأْجِرِ إِلَى أَنْ ت

Hadith.3914 - Abu Hammam wrote to Abu Al-Hasan (as) regarding a man who rented a property from another man. The landlord then sold the property in the presence of the tenant, who did not object to the sale and witnessed it. The buyer later died, leaving heirs. The question was whether the property would revert to the h

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ اخْتَارَ لِأَنْبِيَائِهِ ع الْحَرْثَ وَ الزَّرْعَ لِئَلَّا يَكْرَهُوا شَيْئاً مِنْ قَطْرِ السَّمَاءِ[2].

I heard Abu Abdillah (as) say: "Indeed, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, chose farming and cultivation for His prophets (peace be upon them) so that they would not dislike anything from the rainfall."

الزَّارِعُونَ.

Hadith.3916 - Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) was asked about the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious: "And upon Allah (swt) let the reliant rely" (Surah Ibrahim 14:12). Imam (as) said: "It refers to the farmers."

كُلُّ عَامِلٍ أَعْطَيْتَهُ أَجْراً عَلَى أَنْ يُصْلِحَ فَأَفْسَدَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ‌[3].

Hadith.3917 - Hammad narrated from Al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah (as), regarding a man who gives a garment to someone to dye it, but the dyer ruins it. Imam (as) said: "Any worker whom you pay to repair or improve something but ends up damaging it is liable."

نَعَمْ غُرِّمَهُ بِمَا جَنَتْ يَدُهُ فَإِنَّكَ إِنَّمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ لِيُصْلِحَ وَ لَمْ تُعْطِهِ لِيُفْسِدَ.

I asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a launderer to whom a garment is given, but he burns or tears it. Should he be held liable? Imam (as) said: "Yes, he is liable for the damage caused by his actions, for you gave it to him to repair or clean, not to ruin."

قَالَ ع‌ كَانَ أَبِي ع يُضَمِّنُ الْقَصَّارَ وَ الصَّوَّاغَ مَا أَفْسَدَا وَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَتَفَضَّلُ عَلَيْهِمْ.

Hadith.3919 - Imam (as) said: "My father (as) used to hold the launderer and the goldsmith liable for any damage they caused. But, Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) would show leniency toward them."

قَدْ ذَهَبَ أَوْ أُهْرِقَ أَوْ قُطِعَ عَلَيْهِ الطَّرِيقُ فَإِنْ جَاءَ عَلَيْهِ بِبَيِّنَةٍ عَادِلَةٍ أَنَّهُ قُطِعَ عَلَيْهِ أَوْ ذَهَبَ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِلَّا ضَمِنَ‌[1] وَ فِي رَجُلٍ حَمَلَ مَعَهُ رَجُلٌ فِي سَفِينَتِهِ طَعَاماً فَنَقَصَ قَالَ هُوَ ضَامِنٌ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا زَادَ قَالَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ زَادَ فِيهِ شَيْئاً قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ هُوَ لَكَ.

Hadith.3920 - Hammad narrated from Al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah (as), regarding a camel driver who carries oil and claims that it was lost, spilled, or taken by robbers. Imam (as) said: "If he brings trustworthy evidence that it was stolen, lost, or taken, then he is not liable. Otherwise, he is responsible for compens

قَالَ ع‌ فِي الْغُسَّالِ وَ الصُّوَّاغِ‌[2] مَا سُرِقَ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ بِبَيِّنَةٍ عَلَى أَمْرٍ بَيِّنٍ أَنَّهُ قَدْ سُرِقَ وَ كُلُّ قَلِيلٍ لَهُ أَوْ كَثِيرٍ[3] فَإِنْ فَعَلَ فَلَيْسَ‌ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُقِمْ بَيِّنَةً وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ ذَهَبَ الَّذِي ادَّعَى فَقَدْ ضَمِنَهُ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَلَى قَوْلِهِ بَيِّنَةٌ[1].

Hadith.3921 - Imam (as) said: "Regarding the washer (ghassal) and the goldsmith (sawwagh), if something is stolen from them and they do not provide clear evidence proving that it was stolen, whether it is little or much, then they are liable. However, if they establish proof with clear evidence, then they are not liabl

قَالَ‌[2] فِي رَجُلٍ تَكَارَى دَابَّةً إِلَى مَكَانٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَتَضِيعُ الدَّابَّةُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ جَازَ الشَّرْطَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ إِنْ دَخَلَ وَادِياً فَلَمْ يُوثِقْهَا فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ إِنْ سَقَطَتْ فِي بِئْرٍ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَسْتَوْثِقْ مِنْهَا[3].

Hadith.3922 - Imam (as) said regarding a man who rents an animal to travel to a specified location, but the animal is lost: "If he exceeded the agreed conditions, he is liable. If he entered a valley and did not secure the animal properly, he is liable. And if it fell into a well, he is liable because he did not take p

إِنَّهُ إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَ الزَّيْتَ وَ قَالَ انْخَرَقَ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يُصَدَّقُ إِلَّا بِبَيِّنَةٍ عَادِلَةٍ[5] وَ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ تَكَارَى دَابَّةً فَأَخَذَتْهَا الذِّئْبَةُ[6] فَشَقَّتْ عَيْنَهَا فَنَفَقَتْ‌[7] فَهُوَ لَهَا ضَامِنٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مُسْلِماً

Hadith.3923 - It is narrated about a camel driver who was hired to transport oil to a certain land. He claimed that some of the oil skins were torn, causing the oil to spill. Imam (as) said: "The owner may take the remaining oil if he wishes." Imam (as) also said: "The camel driver's claim that the skins were torn is n

أَ تَتَّهِمُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَلَا تُضَمِّنْهُ‌[3].

My father sent some goods to Syria with a camel driver, and the camel driver claimed that one of the loads was lost. I mentioned this to Abu Abdillah (as). Imam (as) said: "Do you suspect him?" I said: "No." Imam (as) said: "Then do not hold him liable."

عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُقِيمَ الْبَيِّنَةَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ سُرِقَ مِنْ بَيْنِ مَتَاعِهِ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ سُرِقَ مَعَ مَتَاعِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[4].

I asked him about a launderer to whom I gave a garment, and he claimed that it was stolen from among his belongings. Imam (as) said: "He must provide evidence that it was stolen from among his belongings, and if he does so, then he is not liable. Similarly, if it was stolen along with his belongings, he is not liable."

لَهُ إِنَّ جَمَّالًا لَنَا كَانَ يُكَارِينَا فَحَمَلَ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ‌[5] فَضَاعَ قَالَ ضَمِّنْهُ وَ خُذْ مِنْهُ.

I said to Imam (as): "We had a camel driver who used to work for us. He loaded goods onto someone else's camel, and they were lost." Imam (as) said: "Hold him liable and take compensation from him."

وَ كَانَ‌[6] أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُضَمِّنُ الصَّبَّاغَ‌[7] وَ الْقَصَّارَ وَ الصَّائِغَ- احْتِيَاطاً عَلَى أَمْتِعَةِ النَّاسِ وَ كَانَ لَا يُضَمِّنُ مِنَ الْغَرَقِ وَ الْحَرَقِ وَ الشَّيْ‌ءِ الْغَالِبِ‌[1] وَ إِذَا غَرِقَتِ السَّفِينَةُ وَ مَا فِيهَا فَأَصَابَهُ النَّاسُ فَمَا قَذَفَ بِهِ الْبَحْرُ عَلَى سَاحِلِهِ فَهُوَ لِأَهْلِهِ وَ هُمْ أَحَقُّ بِهِ وَ مَا غَاصَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ وَ تَرَكَهُ صَاحِبُهُ فَهُوَ

Hadith.3927 - Commander of the Faithful (as) used to hold the dyer, launderer, and goldsmith liable as a precaution to protect people's belongings. However, he did not hold them liable for damages caused by drowning, fire, or overwhelming events. And if a ship sinks along with its cargo, and people recover what washes

لَا يُضَمَّنُ الصَّائِغُ وَ لَا الْقَصَّارُ وَ لَا الْحَائِكُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونُوا مُتَّهَمِينَ فَيَجِيئُونَ بِالْبَيِّنَةِ فَيُخَوَّفُ وَ يُسْتَحْلَفُ لَعَلَّهُ يُسْتَخْرَجُ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ[2].

وَ أُتِيَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌[3] بِصَاحِبِ حَمَّامٍ وُضِعَتْ عِنْدَهُ الثِّيَابُ فَضَاعَتْ فَلَمْ يُضَمِّنْهُ وَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ أَمِينٌ‌[4].

Hadith.3929 - Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) was presented with the case of a bathhouse attendant with whom clothes were deposited, but they were lost. Imam (as) did not hold him liable and said: "He is merely a trustee."

وَ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع ضَمَّنَ رَجُلًا مُسْلِماً أَصَابَ خِنْزِيراً لِنَصْرَانِيٍّ قِيمَتَهُ‌[5].

Hadith.3930 - Indeed, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) held a Muslim man liable to pay the value of a pig that belonged to a Christian, which he had harmed.

إِنْ كَانَ مَأْمُوناً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَيْرَ مَأْمُونٍ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ.

Hadith.3931 - Ibn Muskan narrated from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah (as), regarding a man who hires a porter, and the porter either breaks what he is carrying or spills it. Imam (as) said: "If he is trustworthy, then he is not liable. But if he is not trustworthy, then he is liable."

رَوَى ابْنُ أَبِي نَصْرٍ[1] عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ سِرْحَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ حَمَلَ مَتَاعاً عَلَى رَأْسِهِ فَأَصَابَ إِنْسَاناً فَمَاتَ أَوْ انْكَسَرَ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ.

Hadith.3932 - Ibn Abi Nasr narrated from Dawood bin Sirhan, from Abu Abdillah (as): "If a man carries goods on his head and accidentally strikes someone, causing their death or breaking something, then he is liable."

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى الْفَقِيهِ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ دَفَعَ ثَوْباً إِلَى الْقَصَّارِ لِيُقَصِّرَهُ فَدَفَعَهُ الْقَصَّارُ إِلَى قَصَّارٍ غَيْرِهِ لِيُقَصِّرَهُ فَضَاعَ الثَّوْبُ هَلْ يَجِبُ عَلَى الْقَصَّارِ أَنْ يَرُدَّ مَا دَفَعَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ إِنْ كَانَ الْقَصَّارُ مَأْمُوناً فَوَقَّعَ ع هُوَ ضَامِنٌ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ ثِقَةً مَأْمُوناً[2] إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

A man wrote to the 'Jurist' (Imam Hasan ibn Ali Al-Askari (as)) asking about a case where a person gave a garment to a launderer to clean, and the launderer then handed it over to another launderer to clean, but the garment was lost. Should the first launderer be required to compensate for what he entrusted to another?

اشْتَرِ لِنَفْسِكَ طَعَاماً وَ اسْتَوْفِ حَقَّكَ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنْ تُوَلِّيَ ذَلِكَ غَيْرَكَ وَ تَقُومَ مَعَهُ حَتَّى تَقْبِضَ الَّذِي لَكَ وَ لَا تَوَلَّ أَنْتَ شِرَاءَهُ‌[4].

Hadith.3934 - Hammad narrated from Al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah (as): Imam (as) was asked about a man to whom I had lent dirhams in advance for food. When the time came for me to receive the food, he sent me dirhams and said: "Buy food for yourself and settle your due." Imam (as) said: "I think you should appoint someo

أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي الْحِنْطَةِ أَوِ التَّمْرِ مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ فَيَأْتِي صَاحِبُهُ- حِينَ يَحِلُّ لَهُ الدَّيْنُ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا عِنْدِي إِلَّا نِصْفُ الَّذِي لَكَ فَخُذْ مِنِّي إِنْ شِئْتَ بِنِصْفِ الَّذِي لَكَ حِنْطَةً وَ نِصْفاً وَرِقاً فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِذَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُ الْوَرِقَ كَمَا أَعْطَاهُ-[5] قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لِي عَلَيْهِ جُلَّةٌ مِنْ بُسْرٍ

I asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) about a man who makes an advance payment of 100 dirhams for wheat or dates. When the debt becomes due, the seller says, "By Allah (swt), I only have half of what is owed to you. Take half in wheat and the other half in cash if you wish." Imam (as) said: "There is n

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي غَيْرِ زَرْعٍ وَ لَا نَخْلٍ قَالَ يُسَمِّي كَيْلًا مَعْلُوماً إِلَى‌ أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ‌[1] قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ السَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ وَ الطَّعَامِ وَ يَرْتَهِنَ الرَّجُلُ بِمَالِهِ رَهْناً قَالَ نَعَمْ اسْتَوْثِقْ مِنْ مَالِكَ.

I asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a man who makes a forward contract (salam) for something other than crops or dates. Imam (as) said: "He should specify a known measure and set a fixed time for delivery." I also asked Imam (as) about making a forward contract for livestock or food and whether the creditor can take collat

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ دَرَاهِمُ مِنْ ثَمَنِ غَنَمٍ اشْتَرَاهَا مِنْهُ فَأَتَى الطَّالِبُ الْمَطْلُوبَ يَتَقَاضَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمَطْلُوبُ أَبِيعُكَ هَذِهِ الْغَنَمَ بِدَرَاهِمِكَ الَّتِي لَكَ عِنْدِي فَرَضِيَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ.

I said to Abu Abdillah (as): "A man owed another man dirhams for the price of sheep he had bought from him. The creditor came to demand payment, and the debtor said: 'I will sell you these sheep for the dirhams I owe you.' The creditor agreed." Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in that."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَسْلَفَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ يُسْلِفُ النَّاسُ فِيهِ مِنَ الثِّمَارِ فَذَهَبَ ثِمَارُهَا[5] وَ لَمْ يَسْتَوْفِ سَلَفَهُ قَالَ فَلْيَأْخُذْ رَأْسَ مَالِهِ أَوْ لِيُنْظِرْهُ.

I asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a man who made an advance payment (salam) for something that people typically make advance payments for, such as fruits, but the fruits were destroyed, and he did not receive what was due. Imam (as) said: "Let him take back his principal amount, or he may grant the debtor more time."

نَعَمْ يُسَمِّي كَذَا وَ كَذَا بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا صَاعاً[6].

I asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a man who had advanced dirhams to another man for wheat. When the due date arrived, the debtor did not have any food but had animals, slaves, and goods. I asked: "Is it permissible for him to take these items in place of the wheat owed to him?" Imam (as) said: "Yes, he may specify such a

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ‌ يَشْتَرِي الْجُلُودَ مِنَ الْقَصَّابِ فَيُعْطِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ شَيْئاً مَعْلُوماً[1] فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

I said to Abu Abdillah (as): "A man buys hides from a butcher and pays him a fixed amount every day." Imam (as) said: "There is no harm in that."