قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعِبَادَةُ سَبْعُونَ جُزْءاً أَفْضَلُهَا طَلَبُ الْحَلَالِ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Worship has seventy parts. The most excellent part in it is working to make lawful living.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هِشَامُ إِنْ رَأَيْتَ الصَّفَّيْنِ قَدِ الْتَقَيَا فَلَا تَدَعْ طَلَبَ الرِّزْقِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ[2].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, £ 0 Hisham, even if you find yourself in the two armies facing each other to fight, you must not neglect working for your sustenance on such day.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَقْرِءُوا مَنْ لَقِيتُمْ مِنْ أَصْحَابِكُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ إِنَ فُلَانَ بْنَ فُلَانٍ يُقْرِئُكُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَا يُنَالُ بِهِ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ مَا آمُرُكُمْ إِلَّا بِمَا نَأْمُرُ بِهِ أَنْفُسَنَا فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْجِدِّ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمُ الصُّبْحَ وَ انْصَرَفْتُمْ فَبَ
8. Ahmad ibn ‘ Abd Allah Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu ‘ Abd Allah from Safwan from Khalid ibn Najih who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Say Salam (greeting of peace) to whoever of your people you meet and say to them, “So and so son of so and so (the Imam) says Sal
قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ ظَنَنْتَ أَوْ بَلَغَكَ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ كَائِنٌ فِي غَدٍ[1] فَلَا تَدَعَنَّ طَلَبَ الرِّزْقِ وَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لَا تَكُونَ كَلًّا فَافْعَلْ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Even if you find enough reason to believe that this task (the rise of al-Qa’im with divine authority) will take place tomorrow, still you must not neglect work for a living. If you cannot complete the work do (what you can)”’
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ أَ يَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِثْلَ النَّمْلَةِ فَإِنَّ النَّمْلَةَ تَجُرُّ إِلَى جُحْرِهَا.
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Why should anyone among you be weaker than an ant which pulls (food) to its colony?”’
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْعُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِي فِي الرِّزْقِ فَقَدِ الْتَاثَتْ عَلَيَّ أُمُورِي[2] فَأَجَابَنِي مُسْرِعاً لَا اخْرُجْ فَاطْلُبْ.
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to pray for me for sustenance; my affairs are turning to the worse.’ He (the Imam) quickly said, ‘No, you must go out and work to make a living.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ شَيْءٍ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فَقَالَ إِذَا فَتَحْتَ بَابَكَ وَ بَسَطْتَ بِسَاطَكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ مَا عَلَيْكَ.
“I asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.), ‘What should a man do for work to make a living?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If you open your door and spread your merchandise, you then have done what you should have been doing.’”
قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَيَّ شَيْءٍ تُعَالِجُ أَيَّ شَيْءٍ تَصْنَعُ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَنَا فِي شَيْءٍ قَالَ فَخُذْ بَيْتاً وَ اكْنُسْ فِنَاهُ وَ رُشَّهُ وَ ابْسُطْ فِيهِ بِسَاطاً فَإِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ مَا وَجَبَ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ فَقَدِمْتُ فَفَعَلْتُ فَرُزِقْتُ.
Find a house, (a facility) broom its yards, sprinkle water around, spread the merchandise on it. In doing this you have done what should have been done.’ I (the narrator) followed his instruction and found sustenance.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ أَلَا إِنَّ الرُّوحَ الْأَمِينَ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي أَنَّهُ لَا تَمُوتُ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَ لَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ اسْتِبْطَاءُ شَيْءٍ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ أَنْ تَطْلُبُوهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَسَمَ الْأَرْزَاقَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ حَلَالًا وَ لَمْ يَ
‘The Messenger of Allah during his farewell Hajj said, ‘The trustworthy spirit has inspired my understanding that no soul dies before its sustenance is complete (depleted). You must maintain piety before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, be meticulous in your work to make a living. You must not allow procrastination
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَمْ مِنْ مُتْعِبٍ نَفْسَهُ مُقْتَرٍ عَلَيْهِ وَ مُقْتَصِدٍ فِي الطَّلَبِ قَدْ سَاعَدَتْهُ الْمَقَادِيرُ.
“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘There is many a soul who tires itself (by work) and lives stringently. On the other hand there are those who moderately seek their sustenance; and measures favorably assist them/”
لِيَكُنْ طَلَبُكَ لِلْمَعِيشَةِ فَوْقَ كَسْبِ الْمُضَيِّعِ وَ دُونَ طَلَبِ الْحَرِيصِ الرَّاضِي بِدُنْيَاهُ الْمُطْمَئِنِّ إِلَيْهَا وَ لَكِنْ أَنْزِلْ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُنْصِفِ الْمُتَعَفِّفِ تَرْفَعُ نَفْسَكَ[2] عَنْ مَنْزِلَةِ الْوَاهِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَ تَكْتَسِبُ مَا لَا بُدَّ مِنْهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُعْطُوا الْمَالَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَشْكُرُوا لَا مَالَ لَهُمْ[3].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that your effort in work for living must be above the efforts of a losing person and below that of a greedy one who is happy with confidence in the worldly matters. You must keep your soul in the position of the fair and conservatives ones, and lift your soul above the position of negle
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى وَسَّعَ فِي أَرْزَاقِ الْحَمْقَى لِيَعْتَبِرَ الْعُقَلَاءُ وَ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا لَيْسَ يُنَالُ مَا فِيهَا بِعَمَلٍ وَ لَا حِيلَةٍ.
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Allah, most High, has expanded the sustenance of the dimwitted ones so that people of reason learn a lesson and take notice that the worldly things are not achieved by means of work and means only.”’
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي لَمْ أَدَعْ شَيْئاً يُقَرِّبُكُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ يُبَاعِدُكُمْ مِنَ النَّارِ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ نَبَّأْتُكُمْ بِهِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ [قَدْ] نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي وَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَنْ لَا تَمُوتُ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَ لَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ اسْتِبْطَاءُ شَيْءٍ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ أَنْ تَط
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘I have not left anything that can take you closer to paradise or keep you away from hellfire but that I have informed you of all such matters. You must take
قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا فَعَلَ عُمَرُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ[1] قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى الْعِبَادَةِ وَ تَرَكَ التِّجَارَةَ فَقَالَ وَيْحَهُ أَ مَا عَلِمَ أَنَّ تَارِكَ الطَّلَبِ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ- إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ وَ مَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجاً وَ يَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَحْتَسِبُ[2] أَغْلَقُوا الْأَبْوَابَ وَ أَقْبَلُوا عَلَى
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘What has ‘Umar ibn Muslim done?’ I replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘he has devoted himself in worship and has given up doing any business.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Fie upon him! Does he not know that the prayer of one who neglects work to make a
كَثْرَةُ النَّوْمِ مَذْهَبَةٌ لِلدِّينِ وَ الدُّنْيَا.
“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Excessive sleeping causes one to lose his religion as well as the worldly matters.”’
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ يُبْغِضُ الْعَبْدَ النَّوَّامَ الْفَارِغَ.
“I heard abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), saying, ’Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, dislikes an excessively sleeping servant who passes his time without work.’”
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُبْغِضُ كَثْرَةَ النَّوْمِ وَ كَثْرَةَ الْفَرَاغِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, hates one’s excessive sleeping and passing time without work.’”
عَدُوُّ الْعَمَلِ الْكَسَلُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Laziness is an enemy of work.’”
إِيَّاكَ وَ الْكَسَلَ وَ الضَّجَرَ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ كَسِلْتَ لَمْ تَعْمَلْ وَ إِنْ ضَجِرْتَ لَمْ تُعْطِ الْحَقَّ.
5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran from abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), has said, ‘Beware of laziness and impatience; with laziness you do not work and with impatience you do not yield to the truth.
كَتَبَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَلَا تُجَادِلِ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَ لَا تُمَارِ السُّفَهَاءَ فَيُبْغِضَكَ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَ يَشْتِمَكَ السُّفَهَاءُ وَ لَا تَكْسَلْ عَنْ مَعِيشَتِكَ فَتَكُونَ كَلًّا عَلَى غَيْرِكَ أَوْ قَالَ عَلَى أَهْلِكَ[3].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once wrote to one of his companions the following: . . thereafter take notice of the following. You must not excessively argue with the scholars, you must not verbally quarrel with the dimwitted ones; the scholars will hate you and the dimwitted ones will abuse you. You must not be lazy in the w
إِنَّ فِي حِكْمَةِ آلِ دَاوُدَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ الْعَاقِلِ أَنْ لَا يُرَى ظَاعِناً[1] إِلَّا فِي ثَلَاثٍ مَرَمَّةٍ لِمَعَاشٍ أَوْ تَزَوُّدٍ لِمَعَادٍ أَوْ لَذَّةٍ فِي غَيْرِ ذَاتِ مُحَرَّمٍ وَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ الْعَاقِلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ سَاعَةٌ يُفْضِي بِهَا إِلَى عَمَلِهِ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ سَاعَةٌ يُلَاقِي إِخْوَانَهُ الَّذِينَ يُفَاوِضُهُمْ وَ يُفَاوِضُونَهُ فِي أَمْر
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is in the wisdom of Ale (family) Dawud that a reasonable Muslim should not travel unless it is for three kinds of tasks: amending one’s means of living, supplies for the hereafter or enjoyment with lawful matters. A reasonable Muslim should assign certain hours of his time to work
الْكَادُّ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ.
“Abi ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A person working hard for his family is like a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah.’”
الَّذِي يَطْلُبُ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا يَكُفُّ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ أَعْظَمُ أَجْراً مِنَ الْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘One who works to find sustenance of the extra- generosity of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, to provide for his family is granted a reward greater than a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”
إِذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ مُعْسِراً فَيَعْمَلُ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَقُوتُ بِهِ نَفْسَهُ وَ أَهْلَهُ وَ لَا يَطْلُبُ حَرَاماً فَهُوَ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one has difficulty in providing for his family and works to meet his own needs and the needs of his family and does not work for unlawful kind of sustenance, he is like a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah.”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي الْحَلَالَ فَقَالَ أَ تَدْرِي مَا الْحَلَالُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَمَّا الَّذِي عِنْدَنَا فَالْكَسْبُ الطَّيِّبُ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ الْحَلَالُ قُوتُ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ وَ لَكِنْ قُلْ أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ الْوَاسِعِ.
“Once I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, please pray for me to Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, so He grants me lawful sustenance.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you know what lawful sustenance is?’ I replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for
نَظَرَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ الْحَلَالِ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع سَأَلْتَ قُوتَ النَّبِيِّينَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقاً وَاسِعاً طَيِّباً مِنْ رِزْقِكَ.
“Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), looked at a man who said, ‘O Lord, I pray to You to grant me lawful sustenance.’ Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), said, ‘You have asked of the kind of sustenance of the prophets. Say, “O Lord, grant me of Your extended and clean sustenance.’””
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ مَنْ آجَرَ نَفْسَهُ فَقَدْ حَظَرَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الرِّزْقَ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى وَ كَيْفَ لَا يَحْظُرُهُ وَ مَا أَصَابَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ لِرَبِّهِ الَّذِي آجَرَهُ.
“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ’One who offers himself for hire prohibits sustenance to himself . 5 In another Hadith it is said that how can it be anything other than prohibition when whatever one finds goes to his master? 5 ”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِجَارَةِ فَقَالَ صَالِحٌ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا نَصَحَ قَدْرَ طَاقَتِهِ قَدْ آجَرَ مُوسَى ع نَفْسَهُ وَ اشْتَرَطَ فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتُ ثَمَانِيَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتُ عَشْراً فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهِ- أَنْ تَأْجُرَنِي ثَمانِيَ حِجَجٍ فَإِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ عَشْراً فَمِنْ عِنْدِكَ[1].
“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who places himself for hire, and he said, 'It is permissible and there is no harm in it as long as he is sincere to the best of his ability. Musa (as) placed himself for hire and stipulated, saying, "If you wish, [I will work] for eight years, and if you wish,
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَتَّجِرُ فَإِنْ هُوَ آجَرَ نَفْسَهُ أُعْطِيَ مَا يُصِيبُ فِي تِجَارَتِهِ فَقَالَ لَا يُؤَاجِرْ نَفْسَهُ وَ لَكِنْ يَسْتَرْزِقُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَتَّجِرُ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا آجَرَ نَفْسَهُ حَظَرَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الرِّزْقَ[2]. بَابُ[3] مُبَاشَرَةِ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِنَفْسِهِ
3. Ahmad his has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn ‘Amr from al-Sabatiy who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who places himself for hire; if what he achieves he has to give it all. He (the Imam) said, ‘He should not place h
بَاشِرْ كِبَارَ أُمُورِكَ بِنَفْسِكَ وَ كِلْ مَا شَفَّ إِلَى غَيْرِكَ قُلْتُ ضَرْبَ أَيِّ شَيْءٍ قَالَ ضَرْبَ أَشْرِيَةِ الْعَقَارِ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَهَا.
“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you must do the greater tasks of your affairs personally and assign others to perform the easier ones. I then asked, ’Like what kinds of tasks are they?’ He (the Imam) answered, ’Like real estate deals and similar tasks.”’
قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا تَكُونَنَّ دَوَّاراً فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ وَ لَا تَلِي دَقَائِقَ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِنَفْسِكَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ ذِي الْحَسَبِ وَ الدِّينِ أَنْ يَلِيَ شِرَاءَ دَقَائِقِ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِنَفْسِهِ مَا خَلَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَشْيَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْبَغِي لِذِي الدِّينِ وَ الْحَسَبِ أَنْ يَلِيَهَا بِنَفْسِهِ الْعَقَارَ وَ الرَّقِيقَ وَ الْإِبِلَ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘You must not roam around in market places and you must not perform small tasks personally; it is not proper for a Muslim man of good position and religion to buy small things personally, except three kinds of items, in which case a person of good position and religion should pe
قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع مَنْ طَلَبَ هَذَا الرِّزْقَ مِنْ حِلِّهِ لِيَعُودَ بِهِ[2] عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ عِيَالِهِ كَانَ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنْ غُلِبَ عَلَيْهِ[3] فَلْيَسْتَدِنْ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مَا يَقُوتُ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ قَضَاؤُهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ وِزْرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ-
“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to me, ‘Whoever works to provide sustenance for himself and his family is considered a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If poverty over-powers him, he then should borrow upon the responsibility of Allah and His Messenger for his sustenance and his famil
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ مِنَّا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الشَّيْءُ يَتَبَلَّغُ[2] بِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يُطْعِمُهُ عِيَالَهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِمَيْسَرَةٍ فَيَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ أَوْ يَسْتَقْرِضُ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فِي خُبْثِ الزَّمَانِ[3] وَ شِدَّةِ الْمَكَاسِبِ أَوْ يَقْبَلُ الصَّدَقَةَ قَالَ يَقْضِي بِمَا عِنْدَهُ دَيْنَهُ وَ لَا يَأْكُلْ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا وَ عِنْدَهُ مَا يُ
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one of us has a few things in his possession with which he meets his expenses and he also is indebted. Should he feed his family with that which he owns and wait until Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, grants him ease then pay his debts, or should he borrow on his back in di
كَانَ لِي صَدِيقٌ مِنْ كُتَّابِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ فَقَالَ لِي اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ دَخَلَ سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ فِي دِيوَانِ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ فَأَصَبْتُ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ مَالًا كَثِيراً وَ أَغْمَضْتُ فِي مَطَالِبِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَوْ لَا أَنَّ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَجَدُوا مَنْ يَكْتُب
“I had a young friend who worked as clerk for Amawide rulers. He asked me to ask permission for a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I asked for permission and it was granted. He came for the meeting, offered greeting of peace and sat down. He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I wo
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا أَصَابَ الرَّجُلَ مِنَّا الضَّيْقُ أَوِ الشِّدَّةُ فَيُدْعَى إِلَى الْبِنَاءِ يَبْنِيهِ أَوِ النَّهَرِ يَكْرِيهِ[2] أَوِ الْمُسَنَّاةِ يُصْلِحُهَا فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أُحِبُّ أَنِّي عَقَدْتُ لَهُمْ عُقْدَةً أَوْ وَكَيْتُ لَهُمْ وِكَاءً[3] وَ إِنَّ
‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, one of us may face hardship and straitened conditions and is called to construct a building, work a canal or a dam. What is your decision in such case? He (the Imam) replied, ‘I do not like it. I have knotted for them a knot and tied down the opening end of the bag of ‘no’. It is no a
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْمَكَاسِبِ فَنَهَانِي عَنْهَا فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ وَ اللَّهِ لَضَرَرُ هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ أَشَدُّ مِنْ ضَرَرِ التُّرْكِ وَ الدَّيْلَمِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْوَرِعِ مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ الَّذِي يَتَوَرَّعُ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَجْتَنِبُ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ إِذَا لَمْ يَتَّقِ الشُّبُهَاتِ وَقَعَ فِي الْحَرَامِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْرِفُهُ
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about several issues of earning. He (the Imam) prohibited and said, ‘O Fudayl, the losses these people cause to this nation are more severe than the losses that Turks and Daylam may cause.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then asked him (the Imam) about absta
وَصَفْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ يَقُولُ بِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِمَّنْ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ السُّلْطَانِ فَقَالَ إِذَا وَلُوكُمْ يُدْخِلُونَ عَلَيْكُمُ الرِّفْقَ[1] وَ يَنْفَعُونَكُمْ فِي حَوَائِجِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَا يَفْعَلُ قَالَ مَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُمْ فَابْرَءُوا مِنْهُ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ.
“I once spoke to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about certain people who believe in Divine Authority of ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, but work for the Sultan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They have achieved authority, therefore, they benefit you and help you.’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘Certain ones among them do so and certain other
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي وُلِّيتُ عَمَلًا فَهَلْ لِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَخْرَجٌ فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَنْ طَلَبَ الْمَخْرَجَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَعَسُرَ عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَرَى قَالَ أَرَى أَنْ تَتَّقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا تَعُدْهُ.
“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about my becoming the in charge person of a certain work (for the sultan), if there is a way for me out of it. He (the Imam) said, ‘How many are those who want a way out but it becomes difficult for them.’ I then asked, ‘What is your decision? He (the Imam)
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ إِنَّكَ لَتَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ قَالَ لِي وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ أَنَا رَجُلٌ لِي مُرُوءَةٌ[1] وَ عَلَيَّ عِيَالٌ وَ لَيْسَ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِي شَيْءٌ فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ لَأَنْ أَسْقُطَ مِنْ حَالِقٍ فَأَتَقَطَّعَ[2] قِطْعَةً قِطْعَةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَوَلَّى لِأَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ عَمَلًا أَوْ أَطَأَ بِسَاطَ أَحَدِهِمْ إِلَّ
“I once went to visit abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), and he (the Imam) asked me, ‘O Ziyad, do you work for Sultan ? 5 I replied, ‘Yes, I do so . 5 He (the Imam) said to me, ‘Why do you do so ? 5 I replied, ‘I am a man of fairness and I have a family to feed. I do not have any other means for support . 5 He (the Imam) said,
ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْعِصَابَةِ قَدْ وُلِّيَ وَلَايَةً فَقَالَ كَيْفَ صَنِيعَتُهُ إِلَى إِخْوَانِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ خَيْرٌ فَقَالَ أُفٍّ يَدْخُلُونَ فِيمَا لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُمْ وَ لَا يَصْنَعُونَ إِلَى إِخْوَانِهِمْ خَيْراً.
“In the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), a man of this group (followers of ‘A’immah) was mentioned and that he had become the in charge person of an official position of the rulers. He (the Imam) asked, ‘How is his dealing with his brothers in belief ? 5 I (the narrator) replied, ‘There is nothing good in him in this
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي أَعْمَالِ هَؤُلَاءِ- قَالَ إِنْ كُنْتَ لَا بُدَّ فَاعِلًا فَاتَّقِ أَمْوَالَ الشِّيعَةِ قَالَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي عَلِيٌّ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَجْبِيهَا مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ عَلَانِيَةً وَ يَرُدُّهَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِي السِّرِّ[5].
“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘How is working for these people ? 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘If you do not have any choice, you must observe caution about properties of al-Shi 5 ah . 5 He (the narrator) has said that Ali told me, ‘He would collect funds from al-Shi 5 ah in public, then return it to them secretly . 555
كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً أَسْتَأْذِنُهُ فِي عَمَلِ السُّلْطَانِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ كِتَابٍ كَتَبْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ أَذْكُرُ أَنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَى خَبْطِ عُنُقِي[1] وَ أَنَّ السُّلْطَانَ يَقُولُ لِي إِنَّكَ رَافِضِيٌّ وَ لَسْنَا نَشُكُّ فِي أَنَّكَ تَرَكْتَ الْعَمَلَ لِلسُّلْطَانِ لِلرَّفْضِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع قَدْ فَهِمْتُ كِتَابَكَ وَ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَإ
“I wrote to abu al-Hassan, al-Rida 5 (a.s.), for fourteen years asking his permission to work for Sultan. In the last letter I wrote saying that I fear for my life if I did not work for the Sultan, because he calls me a Rafidiy (rejecter) saying, ‘We have no doubt that you have refused to work for the Sultan because of
سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ جَبَّارٍ إِلَّا وَ مَعَهُ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدْفَعُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ هُوَ أَقَلُّهُمْ حَظّاً فِي الْآخِرَةِ يَعْنِي أَقَلَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَظّاً لِصُحْبَةِ الْجَبَّارِ.
“I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘With every tyrant there is a believing person with whom Allah defends the believing people, and he (such believing person) receives the least of rewards in the next life because of his association with the tyrant.’”
رَافَقْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي حَجَّ فِيهَا فِي أَوَّلِ خِلَافَةِ الْمُعْتَصِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ أَنَا مَعَهُ عَلَى الْمَائِدَةِ وَ هُنَاكَ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءِ السُّلْطَانِ إِنَّ وَالِيَنَا جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ يَتَوَلَّاكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ يُحِبُّكُمْ وَ عَلَيَّ فِي دِيوَانِهِ خَرَاجٌ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ إِلَيْهِ كِتَاباً بِالْإِحْسَانِ إِلَيَّ فَ
"I accompanied Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) in the year he performed Hajj during the beginning of al-Mu'tasim's caliphate. While we were at the table, and a group of the Sultan's officials were present, I said to him: 'May I be your ransom, our governor is a man who is loyal to you, Ahl al-Bayt, and he loves you. I owe tax
قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعَ السُّلْطَانِ أَوْلِيَاءَ يَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَنْ أَوْلِيَائِهِ.
“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has friends with the Sultan through whom He protects His friends.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حَدِيثٌ بَلَغَنِي عَنِ الْحَسَنِ الْبَصْرِيِّ فَإِنْ كَانَ حَقّاً فَ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ الْحَسَنَ الْبَصْرِيَّ كَانَ يَقُولُ لَوْ غَلَى دِمَاغُهُ مِنْ حَرِّ الشَّمْسِ مَا اسْتَظَلَّ بِحَائِطِ صَيْرَفِيٍّ وَ لَوْ تَفَرَّثَ كَبِدُهُ[3] عَطَشاً لَمْ يَسْتَسْقِ مِنْ دَارِ صَيْرَفِيٍّ مَاءً وَ هُوَ عَمَلِي وَ تِجَارَتِي وَ فِيهِ
“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘A Hadith has reached me from al-Hassan al-Basriy. If it is a true Hadith then, ‘We are for Allah and to Him we return.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What does it say?’ ‘I am told that al-Hassan al-Basriy would say that even if his brain comes to a boiling point due to the hot sun, he will n
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَخَبَّرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ وُلِدَ لِي غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَا سَمَّيْتَهُ مُحَمَّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ قَالَ فَلَا تَضْرِبْ مُحَمَّداً وَ لَا تَسُبَّهُ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَكَ فِي حَيَاتِكَ وَ خَلَفَ صِدْقٍ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِي أَيِّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَضَعُهُ قَالَ إِذَا عَدَلْتَهُ عَنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ فَضَعْهُ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ لَا تُسْلِمْهُ صَ
“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him of the birth of my son. He asked, ‘Why do you not name him Muhammad?’ I replied, ‘I have already done so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘You must not beat up a Muhammad and do not abuse him. Allah will make him the delight to your eyes during your life time as well as
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعِي ثَوْبَانِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا إِسْمَاعِيلَ يَجِيئُنِي مِنْ قِبَلِكُمْ أَثْوَابٌ كَثِيرَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ يَجِيئُنِي مِثْلُ هَذَيْنِ الثَّوْبَيْنِ اللَّذَيْنِ تَحْمِلُهُمَا أَنْتَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ تَغْزِلُهُمَا أُمُّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ أَنْسِجُهُمَا أَنَا فَقَالَ لِي حَائِكٌ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَا تَكُنْ حَائِكاً قُلْتُ فَمَا أَكُونُ قَالَ كُنْ صَيْقَلًا وَ كَانَتْ
“Once I visited Abu ’Abdullah (a.s). I had two pieces of fabric materials with me. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Abu Isma'il, from your area people bring us many kinds of fabrics but not like these two pieces that you carry.’ I said, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, the mother of Isma’il prepares thr
دَخَلَ عِيسَى بْنُ شَفَقِيٍ[2] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ كَانَ سَاحِراً يَأْتِيهِ النَّاسُ وَ يَأْخُذُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْأَجْرَ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَنَا رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ صِنَاعَتِيَ السِّحْرَ وَ كُنْتُ آخُذُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْأَجْرَ وَ كَانَ مَعَاشِي وَ قَدْ حَجَجْتُ مِنْهُ وَ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ بِلِقَائِكَ وَ قَدْ تُبْتُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَهَلْ لِي فِي شَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَخْرَجٌ قَالَ فَ
‘Once ‘Isa ibn Shafaqiy visited abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam. He was a magician. People would come to him and he charged them a certain amount for wages. He said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I work as a magician and I charge a certain amount as my wages to earn for my living. From suc
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ كَسْبِ الْحَجَّامِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا لَمْ يُشَارِطْ.
There is no offense in the earning by such means, if it is not with an established pre-condition.’”