Prayer

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى جَارِيَةٍ قَدِ اشْتَرَتْ لَحْماً مِنْ قَصَّابٍ وَ هِيَ تَقُولُ زِدْنِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ زِدْهَا فَإِنَّهُ أَعْظَمُ لِلْبَرَكَةِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once said to a butcher about a slave-girl who had purchased meat from his shop and who was asking for more, ‘You must give her more; it has greater blessings.’”

هُمُ التُّجَّارُ الَّذِينَ لَا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَ لَا بَيْعٌ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا دَخَلَ مَوَاقِيتُ الصَّلَاةِ أَدَّوْا إِلَى اللَّهِ حَقَّهُ فِيهَا.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘There are men who do not become distracted from speaking of Allah because of trading and business.’ (24:37) He (the Imam) said, ‘They are the business people who do not become distracted from speaking of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, because of trade and

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ مَنِ اتَّجَرَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ارْتَطَمَ فِي الرِّبَا ثُمَّ ارْتَطَمَ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ لَا يَقْعُدَنَّ فِي السُّوقِ إِلَّا مَنْ يَعْقِلُ الشِّرَاءَ وَ الْبَيْعَ.[4]

‘If one does business without knowledge, he plunges in Riba ’ again and again.’ Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would also say, ‘One who does not understand buying and selling must not sit in the market place for doing business.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا أَبَا الْفَضْلِ أَ مَا لَكَ مَكَانٌ تَقْعُدُ فِيهِ فَتُعَامِلَ النَّاسَ قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مُؤْمِنٍ يَرُوحُ أَوْ يَغْدُو إِلَى مَجْلِسِهِ أَوْ سُوقِهِ فَيَقُولُ حِينَ يَضَعُ رِجْلَهُ فِي السُّوقِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهَا وَ خَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا إِلَّا وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَنْ يَحْفَظُهُ وَ يَحْفَظُ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى م

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O abu al-Fadl, do you have a place where you can sit and do business with people ? 5 I replied, ‘Yes, I have such a place . 5 He (the Imam) then said, ‘Whoever of believing people during the morning or evening goes to his market-place and says this when setting foot in the market-p

إِذَا دَخَلْتَ سُوقَكَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهَا وَ خَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَ شَرِّ أَهْلِهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَبْغِيَ أَوْ يُبْغَى عَلَيَّ أَوْ أَعْتَدِيَ أَوْ يُعْتَدَى عَلَيَّ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ إِبْلِيسَ وَ جُنُودِهِ وَ شَرِّ فَسَقَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَ الْعَجَمِ وَ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لا إِلهَ إِلّ

‘When you enter your market-place you should say this, ‘O Allah, I pray to You to grant me of its (market-place) good things and its good people. I seek protection with You against its evil and the evil of its people. O Allah, I seek protection with You against my own injustice and injustice done to me, against my own

إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ جَارِيَةً[1] فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَشِيرُكَ وَ أَسْتَخِيرُكَ.

‘When you want to buy a slave-girl say this, ‘O Allah, I consult You and pray to You to grant me what is good.’”

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَشْتَرِيَ شَيْئاً فَقُلْ يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ يَا دَائِمُ يَا رَءُوفُ يَا رَحِيمُ أَسْأَلُكَ بِعِزَّتِكَ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ وَ مَا أَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُكَ أَنْ تَقْسِمَ لِي مِنَ التِّجَارَةِ الْيَوْمَ أَعْظَمَهَا رِزْقاً وَ أَوْسَعَهَا فَضْلًا وَ خَيْرَهَا عَاقِبَةً فَإِنَّهُ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَا لَا عَاقِبَةَ لَهُ‌[2] قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ دَابَّةً أَوْ رَأْساً فَقُلِ ا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you decide to buy something say this, “O Living, O Guardian, O Eternal, O Compassionate, O Merciful I pray to You through Your majesty, Your power and all that Your knowledge encompasses, grant me of business the greatest share of sustenance, vastest extra favors and the best of

إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ دَابَّةً[3] فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَتْ عَظِيمَةَ الْبَرَكَةِ فَاضِلَةَ الْمَنْفَعَةِ مَيْمُونَةَ النَّاصِيَةِ فَيَسِّرْ لِي شِرَاهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهَا إِلَى الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ لِي مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُ وَ تَقْدِرُ وَ لَا أَقْدِرُ وَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ* تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar, who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you decide to buy an animal, say this, “O Allah, if this is of great blessings, extra benefits and of a fortunate nature, I pray to You to make its purchasin

دَعَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَوْلًى لَهُ يُقَالُ لَهُ مُصَادِفٌ فَأَعْطَاهُ أَلْفَ دِينَارٍ وَ قَالَ لَهُ تَجَهَّزْ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَإِنَّ عِيَالِي قَدْ كَثُرُوا قَالَ فَتَجَهَّزَ بِمَتَاعٍ وَ خَرَجَ مَعَ التُّجَّارِ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَلَمَّا دَنَوْا مِنْ مِصْرَ اسْتَقْبَلَتْهُمْ قَافِلَةٌ خَارِجَةٌ مِنْ مِصْرَ فَسَأَلُوهُمْ عَنِ الْمَتَاعِ الَّذِي مَعَهُمْ مَا حَالُهُ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ مَتَاعَ الْ

“Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), called one of his servants named Musadif and gave him a thousand dinar. He (the Imam) told him to prepare for traveling to Egypt and added, ‘The number of my dependents has increased.’ He (the narrator) has said that the servant prepared certain items of merchandise along with the traders to go

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ شِرَاءُ الْحِنْطَةِ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ شِرَاءُ الدَّقِيقِ يُنْشِئُ الْفَقْرَ وَ شِرَاءُ الْخُبْزِ مَحْقٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَبْقَاكَ اللَّهُ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى شِرَاءِ الْحِنْطَةِ قَالَ ذَاكَ لِمَنْ يَقْدِرُ وَ لَا يَفْعَلُ.

’Buying wheat removes poverty but buying flour brings poverty and buying bread is destruction.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to grant you long life, what about one who is not able to buy wheat?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’That is for one who is capable but does not do so.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي نَخْلًا بِالْبَصْرَةِ فَأَبِيعُهُ وَ أُسَمِّي الثَّمَنَ وَ أَسْتَثْنِي الْكُرَّ مِنَ التَّمْرِ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ أَوِ الْعِذْقَ مِنَ النَّخْلِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ بَيْعُ السَّنَتَيْنِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ ذَا عِنْدَنَا عَظِيمٌ قَالَ أَمَّا إِنَّكَ إِنْ قُلْتَ ذَاكَ لَقَدْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَحَلَّ ذَلِكَ فَتَظَالَمُوا فَقَالَ ع

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have palm tree fruits in Basrah. I sell them for a certain price excluding one Kur (a certain measurement) of the dates or more or the cluster of dates.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, wh

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ لَهُ الثَّمَرَةُ عِشْرِينَ دِينَاراً عَلَى أَنِّي أَقُولُ لَهُ إِذَا قَامَتْ ثَمَرَتُكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَهِيَ لِي بِذَلِكَ الثَّمَنِ إِنْ رَضِيتَ أَخَذْتُ وَ إِنْ كَرِهْتَ تَرَكْتُ فَقَالَ مَا تَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ وَ لَا تَشْتَرِطَ شَيْئاً قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا يُسَمِّي شَيْئاً وَ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ إِذَا ك

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man whom I gave twenty dinar for his fruits saying that when your fruits become fruits these dinars are payments, if then I will like I will take the fruits, and if I will not like I will not take them. He (the Imam) said, ‘You cannot giv

إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ نَهَى أَنْ يُشْتَرَى شَبَكَةُ الصَّيَّادِ يَقُولَ اضْرِبْ بِشَبَكَتِكَ فَمَا خَرَجَ فَهُوَ مِنْ مَالِي بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), prohibited buying the net of the fisherman by saying, ‘Spread your net and whatever comes in is mine for so and so amount.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْخُرُوجَ إِلَى بَعْضِ الْجَبَلِ فَقَالَ مَا لِلنَّاسِ بُدٌّ مِنْ أَنْ يَضْطَرِبُوا سَنَتَهُمْ هَذِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّا إِذَا بِعْنَاهُمْ بِنَسِيئَةٍ كَانَ أَكْثَرَ لِلرِّبْحِ قَالَ فَبِعْهُمْ بِتَأْخِيرِ سَنَةٍ قُلْتُ بِتَأْخِيرِ سَنَتَيْنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ بِتَأْخِيرِ ثَلَاثٍ قَالَ لَا.

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘I like to travel to certain areas of the mountains.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This year people will not be able to avoid difficult times.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, if we sell to them goods on credit with deferred payment it is more profi

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ الْأَجِيرُ الْمُشَارِكُ هُوَ ضَامِنٌ إِلَّا مِنْ سَبُعٍ أَوْ مِنْ غَرَقٍ أَوْ حَرَقٍ أَوْ لِصٍّ مُكَابِرٍ.

7. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn Shammun from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from Misma’ ibn ‘Abd al-Malik who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘One hired and a partner are liable unless it (the loss) is b

كُنْتُ حَمَلْتُ مَعِي مَتَاعاً إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَبَارَ عَلَيَّ فَدَخَلْتُ بِهِ الْمَدِينَةَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي حَمَلْتُ مَتَاعاً قَدْ بَارَ عَلَيَّ وَ قَدْ عَزَمْتُ عَلَى أَنْ أَصِيرَ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَأَرْكَبُ بَرّاً أَوْ بَحْراً فَقَالَ مِصْرُ الْحُتُوفِ يُقَيَّضُ‌[2] لَهَا أَقْصَرُ النَّاسِ أَعْمَاراً وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَا أَجْمَلَ فِي الطَّلَبِ مَنْ رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ ثُمَّ ق

“I had carried goods with me to Makkah. I faced severe competition there so I went to visit abu al- Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), and told him (the Imam) that I had carried goods to Makkah but I faced competition and I decided to travel to Egypt. Should I travel by land or by sea? He (the Imam) said, ’Egypt is destructive.

إِنَّا نَتَّجِرُ إِلَى هَذِهِ الْجِبَالِ فَنَأْتِي مِنْهَا عَلَى أَمْكِنَةٍ لَا نَقْدِرُ أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ إِلَّا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ فَقَالَ أَلَّا تَكُونُ مِثْلَ فُلَانٍ يَرْضَى بِالدُّونِ وَ لَا يَطْلُبُ تِجَارَةً لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ إِلَّا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and said, ‘We work for business in these mountains and come upon areas where we cannot perform Salat (prayer) except on snow. He (the Imam) said, ‘Why can you not be like so and so who is happy with less and does not demand such things because

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

“A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I hear a people who say that farming is Makruh (detestable).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must farm and plant, by Allah, there is no work that people do which is sweeter and fine than farming. By Allah, farming wil

لَمَّا هُبِطَ بِآدَمَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ احْتَاجَ إِلَى الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ فَشَكَا ذَلِكَ إِلَى جَبْرَئِيلَ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ يَا آدَمُ كُنْ حَرَّاثاً قَالَ فَعَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي مَئُونَةَ الدُّنْيَا وَ كُلَّ هَوْلٍ دُونَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَلْبِسْنِي الْعَافِيَةَ حَتَّى تَهْنِئَنِي الْمَعِيشَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When Adam descended to earth he needed food and drinks and he complained to Jibril. Jibril said to him, ‘O Adam, be a farmer.’ He said, ‘Teach me a prayer.’ Jibril said, ‘Say: “O Lord, protect me against the worldly impediments and all horrors that are before reaching paradise and dre

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَيُّ الْمَالِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الزَّرْعُ زَرَعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَ أَصْلَحَهُ وَ أَدَّى حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الزَّرْعِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ رَجُلٌ فِي غَنَمٍ لَهُ قَدْ تَبِعَ بِهَا مَوَاضِعَ الْقَطْرِ يُقِيمُ‌ الصَّلَاةَ وَ يُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْغَنَمِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الْبَقَرُ تَغْدُو بِخَيْرٍ وَ تَرُوحُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْبَقَر

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (sw) was asked, ‘Which assets (belongings) are good?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘A farm whose owner farms and maintains it, then pays the dues on it on the day of harvest.‘ He then asked, ‘What asset is better than farms?’ He (the Messenger of Allah)

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَشْتَرِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَرْضاً جُرْبَاناً مَعْلُومَةً بِمِائَةِ كُرٍّ عَلَى أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ حَرَامٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَا تَقُولُ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ إِنِ‌ اشْتَرَى مِنْهُ الْأَرْضَ بِكَيْلٍ مَعْلُومٍ وَ حِنْطَةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who bought a certain piece of land from another man in exchange for one hundred Kur (a certain unit of measurement) to be paid from the land. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي أَرْضٍ أَتَقَبَّلُهَا مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ ثُمَّ أُؤَاجِرُهَا أَكَرَتِي‌[1] عَلَى أَنَّ مَا أَخْرَجَ اللَّهُ مِنْهَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ لِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ النِّصْفُ وَ الثُّلُثُ بَعْدَ حَقِّ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ كَذَلِكَ أُعَامِلُ أَكَرَتِي.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about a land that I rent from al-Sultan, then rent it to my tenants for, whatever Allah makes to grow, one-half or one-third after excluding the share of al-Sultan. He (the I

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

“Regarding my question before abu al-Hassan (a.s.), - after saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, we have a property that has boundaries and a pasture - about a man from us who has sheep and camel. He needs those pastures for his camel and sheep if it is permissible for him to preserve and

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِجَارِيَةٍ أَعْرِضُهَا فَجَعَلَ يُسَاوِمُنِي وَ أُسَاوِمُهُ ثُمَّ بِعْتُهَا إِيَّاهُ فَضَمَّ عَلَى يَدِي قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّمَا سَاوَمْتُكَ لِأَنْظُرَ الْمُسَاوَمَةُ تَنْبَغِي أَوْ لَا تَنْبَغِي وَ قُلْتُ قَدْ حَطَطْتُ عَنْكَ عَشَرَةَ دَنَانِيرَ فَقَالَ هَيْهَاتَ أَلَّا كَانَ هَذَا قَبْلَ الضَّمَّةِ أَ مَا بَلَغَكَ قَوْلُ النَّبِيِّ ص الْوَضِيعَةُ بَعْدَ الضَّمَّةِ حَرَامٌ‌[

“I once took a slave-girl to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam. He (the Imam) bargained and I also bargained very hard. I then sold her to him (the Imam) and he (the Imam) shook my hand and I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I bargained hard to see if it was permissible or not and I said,

كُنْتُ مَعَ الرِّضَا ع فِي بَعْضِ الْحَاجَةِ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَنْصَرِفَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَقَالَ لِيَ انْصَرِفْ مَعِي فَبِتْ عِنْدِيَ اللَّيْلَةَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ فَدَخَلَ إِلَى دَارِهِ مَعَ الْمُعَتِّبِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى غِلْمَانِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ بِالطِّينِ أَوَارِيَ الدَّوَابِ‌[2] وَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ وَ إِذاً مَعَهُمْ أَسْوَدُ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا الرَّجُلُ مَعَكُمْ فَقَالُوا يُعَاوِنُنَا وَ نُعْطِيهِ شَيْئ

“I once was with al-Rida’ (a.s.), because of a certain work and I wanted to leave for my home but he (the Imam) said, ‘Come with me and stay for the night with me/ I went with him (the Imam), he entered in his house with al-Mu‘attib and looked at his slaves who worked with clay, in the animal barn and other things and

مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَسْتَعْمِلَنَّ أَجِيراً حَتَّى يُعْلِمَهُ مَا أَجْرُهُ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيراً ثُمَّ حَبَسَهُ عَنِ الْجُمُعَةِ يَبُوءُ بِإِثْمِهِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَحْبِسْهُ اشْتَرَكَا فِي الْأَجْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and on Day of Judgment must not make a person work for him on hire until he knows how much his wages are, and if one hires a person and keeps him from Friday prayer, he is held responsible for his sin; and if he allows him to attend Friday prayer they will sh

اكْتَرَيْتُ بَغْلًا إِلَى قَصْرِ ابْنِ هُبَيْرَةَ ذَاهِباً وَ جَائِياً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ خَرَجْتُ فِي طَلَبِ غَرِيمٍ لِي فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ قُرْبَ قَنْطَرَةِ الْكُوفَةِ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبِي تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى النِّيلِ فَتَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ النِّيلِ فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُ النِّيلَ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبِي تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُ وَ ظَفِرْتُ بِهِ وَ فَرَغْتُ مِمَّا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْك

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad al-Hannat who has said the following: “I once rented a mule to Qasr ibn Hubayrah for both ways for so and so much amount. I left in search of my debtor and when I reached near the bridge of al-Kufah, I was informed that my d

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فِي رَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ فَاسْتَأْجَرَهُ مِنْهُ صَائِغٌ أَوْ غَيْرُهُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ ضَيَّعَ شَيْئاً أَوْ أَبَقَ مِنْهُ فَمَوَالِيهِ ضَامِنُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, issued judgment in favor of a man whose slave was hired by a goldsmith or another man. The judgment said, ‘If he has caused certain damage or has run away with something, the masters are held responsible. 5 ”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ مَنِ اسْتَعَارَ عَبْداً مَمْلُوكاً لِقَوْمٍ فَعِيبَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ مَنِ اسْتَعَارَ حُرّاً صَغِيراً فَعِيبَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one uses the services of the slave of a people and causes damage to him, he is responsible. If one uses the works of a small free person and causes damage to that person, he is responsible.”’

كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص خَلِيطٌ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا بُعِثَ ع لَقِيَهُ خَلِيطُهُ فَقَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَلِيطٍ خَيْراً فَقَدْ كُنْتَ تُوَاتِي وَ لَا تُمَارِي فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَنْتَ فَجَزَاكَ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَلِيطٍ خَيْراً فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرُدُّ رِبْحاً وَ لَا تُمْسِكُ ضِرْساً[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had an occasional companion from the time of ignorance. When he (the Messenger of Allah) was commissioned as the Holy Prophet, he met him and said to the Holy Prophet, O

سَأَلْتُ عَبْداً صَالِحاً فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كُنَّا مُرَافِقِينَ لِقَوْمٍ بِمَكَّةَ فَارْتَحَلْنَا عَنْهُمْ وَ حَمَلْنَا بَعْضَ مَتَاعِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ قَدْ ذَهَبَ الْقَوْمُ وَ لَا نَعْرِفُهُمْ وَ لَا نَعْرِفُ أَوْطَانَهُمْ فَقَدْ بَقِيَ الْمَتَاعُ عِنْدَنَا فَمَا نَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ تَحْمِلُونَهُ حَتَّى تَلْحَقُوهُمْ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ يُونُسُ قُلْتُ لَهُ لَسْتُ أَعْرِفُهُمْ وَ لَا نَدْرِي كَ

“This is concerning my question before the virtuous servant of Allah saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, we in Makkah had travel-mates, and when they left and we also left we carried certain items of their goods without knowing and they had gone. We did not know their places and the good

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَجُلُوسُ الرَّجُلِ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ إِلَى طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ أَنْفَذُ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ مِنْ رُكُوبِ الْبَحْرِ فَقُلْتُ يَكُونُ لِلرَّجُلِ الْحَاجَةُ يَخَافُ فَوْتَهَا فَقَالَ يُدْلِجُ فِيهَا وَ لْيَذْكُرِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنَّهُ فِي تَعْقِيبٍ مَا دَامَ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ[2].

‘A man’s sitting for follow-up prayer, after the morning Salat (prayer) at his prayer place until sunrise is better for his business than sailing on the ocean in search for sustenance.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if he has an urgent work which he is afraid to miss?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He can leave for it and he is c

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مُؤْمِنٌ فَقِيرٌ شَدِيدُ الْحَاجَةِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصُّفَّةِ وَ كَانَ مُلَازِماً لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ مَوَاقِيتِ الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا لَا يَفْقِدُهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَرِقُّ لَهُ وَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى حَاجَتِهِ وَ غُرْبَتِهِ فَيَقُولُ يَا سَعْدُ لَوْ قَدْ جَاءَنِي شَيْ‌ءٌ لَأَغْنَيْتُكَ قَالَ فَأَبْطَأَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى ر

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘During the time of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, there was a believing man, poor and very needy of the people of the platform (in front of Masjid). He always kept very close to the Messenge

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ رَوَوْا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ إِذَا أَخَذَ فِي طَرِيقٍ رَجَعَ فِي غَيْرِهِ فَكَذَا كَانَ يَفْعَلُ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أَنَا أَفْعَلُهُ كَثِيراً فَافْعَلْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي أَمَا إِنَّهُ أَرْزَقُ لَكَ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, people narrate that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, whenever he walked on a road would not return from the same, if this is how it was

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَالِي وَ انْتِشَارَ أَمْرِي عَلَيَّ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْكُوفَةَ فَبِعْ وِسَادَةً مِنْ بَيْتِكَ بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ ادْعُ إِخْوَانَكَ وَ أَعِدَّ لَهُمْ طَعَاماً وَ سَلْهُمْ يَدْعُونَ اللَّهَ لَكَ قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُ وَ مَا أَمْكَنَنِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى بِعْتُ وِسَادَةً وَ اتَّخَذْتُ طَعَاماً كَمَا أَمَرَنِي وَ سَأَلْتُهُمْ أَنْ يَدْعُوا اللَّهَ لِي قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ

‘When you arrive in al-Kufah, sell a piece of pillow from your home for ten dirham, invite your brothers, prepare food for them and ask them to pray for you to Allah.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I followed the instruction but it was not possible without selling the piece of pillow to prepare food as he (the Imam) had

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثَ ع وَ أَنَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ سَنَةَ إِحْدَى وَ ثَلَاثِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ أَمَرَ رَجُلًا يَشْتَرِي لَهُ مَتَاعاً أَوْ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَاشْتَرَاهُ فَسُرِقَ مِنْهُ أَوْ قُطِعَ عَلَيْهِ الطَّرِيقُ مِنْ مَالِ مَنْ ذَهَبَ الْمَتَاعُ مِنْ مَالِ الْآمِرِ أَوْ مِنْ مَالِ الْمَأْمُورِ فَكَتَبَ س مِنْ مَالِ الْآمِرِ.

“I once wrote to him (the Imam) (abu al-Hassan, al-Thalith) from al-Madinah in the year two hundred thirty-one, saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, a man commands another man to buy goods for him or other things which he buys but the goods are stolen or are looted on the way, from whose

كَانَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ عِنْدَنَا رَجُلٌ يُكَنَّى أَبَا الْقَمْقَامِ وَ كَانَ مُحَارَفاً[1] فَأَتَى أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ حِرْفَتَهُ وَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ لَا يَتَوَجَّهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَيُقْضَى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع قُلْ فِي آخِرِ دُعَائِكَ مِنْ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَ أَبُو الْقَمْقَامِ فَلَزِمْتُ ذَل

“In al-Madinah there was a man with us, called abu al-Qamqa’m who was unfortunate. He went to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), and complained before him against his condition and informed him (the Imam) that wherever he goes for something he fails. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said, ‘In your last prayer in the morning, say, ‘Free of all

سَاءَتْ حَالِي فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[2] فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَدِمْ قِرَاءَةَ- إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنا نُوحاً إِلى‌ قَوْمِهِ‌[3] قَالَ فَقَرَأْتُهَا حَوْلًا فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئاً فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أُخْبِرُهُ بِسُوءِ حَالِي وَ أَنِّي قَدْ قَرَأْتُ- إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنا نُوحاً إِلى‌ قَوْمِهِ‌ حَوْلًا كَمَا أَمَرْتَنِي وَ لَمْ أَرَ شَيْئاً قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ قَدْ وَفَى لَكَ الْحَوْلُ فَانْتَقِلْ مِنْهَا إِلَى قِرَاء

“I faced a difficult condition and wrote to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about it and he (the Imam) wrote to me, ‘Continue reading, “We sent Noah to his people ... to the end.’” (Chapter 71) I read it for one year but did not see any change. I wrote to him again to inform him (the Imam) of my difficult condition and that I have

لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا لَكَ تَنْظُرُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَبٌّ يُلْقَى فِي قَمِيصِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ اضْرِبْ يَدَكَ إِلَى هَذَا الْكِتَابِ فَاقْرَأْ مَا فِيهِ وَ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كِتَابٌ أَوْ قَرِيبٌ مِنْهُ فَنَظَرَ الرَّجُلُ فِيهِ فَإِذَا فِيهِ لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا حَيَاءَ لَهُ وَ لَا مَالَ لِمَنْ لَا تَقْدِيرَ لَهُ وَ لَا جَدِيدَ لِمَنْ لَا خَلَقَ لَهُ.

“Once a certain person of the followers of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), came to visit him (the Imam) and he saw his shirt had a patch on it, so he kept looking at it. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘Why are you looking?’ He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, there is a patch on your shirt.’ H

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ جُعِلَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ[3] وَ لَذَّتِي فِي النِّسَاءِ.

‘The delight for my eyes is placed in Salat (prayer) and my pleasure in women.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ جُعِلَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَ لَذَّتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا النِّسَاءُ وَ رَيْحَانَتَيَّ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (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, ‘The delight of my eyes is placed in Salat (prayer), my enjoyment of the world in women and my comfort and relief with al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ رَكْعَتَانِ يُصَلِّيهِمَا الْمُتَزَوِّجُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ رَكْعَةً يُصَلِّيهَا أَعْزَبُ. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَدَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Two Rak’at Salat (prayer) performed by a married person is more virtuous than seventy Rak’at Salat (prayer) performed by a non-married person.’” “A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy from ibn al-Qaddah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ هَلْ لَكَ مِنْ زَوْجَةٍ فَقَالَ لَا فَقَالَ أَبِي وَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِيَ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا وَ أَنِّي بِتُّ لَيْلَةً وَ لَيْسَتْ لِي زَوْجَةٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ الرَّكْعَتَانِ يُصَلِّيهِمَا رَجُلٌ مُتَزَوِّجٌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَعْزَبَ يَقُومُ لَيْلَهُ وَ يَصُومُ نَهَارَهُ ثُمَّ أَعْطَاهُ أَبِي سَبْعَةَ دَنَانِيرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ تَزَوَّجْ بِهَذِهِ ثُمَّ قَ

6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated and others have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah al-Barqiy form ibn Faddal and Ja’far ibn Muhammad from ibn al-Qaddah who has said the following: “Once, a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you married?’ The man replied, ‘No, I am not married.’ My fat

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَنَا لَيْسَ لِي أَهْلٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ لَكَ جَوَارِي أَوْ قَالَ أُمَّهَاتُ أَوْلَادٍ قَالَ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَنْتَ لَيْسَ بِأَعْزَبَ‌[3].

“‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah has narrated from abu al-Hassan (a.s.), a similar Hadith and added the following: Muhammad ibn ‘Ubayd said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am not married.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you not have slave-girls’ or that he (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you not have mothers

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قِلَّةَ وُلْدِي وَ أَنَّهُ لَا وَلَدَ لِي فَقَالَ لِي إِذَا أَتَيْتَ الْعِرَاقَ فَتَزَوَّجِ امْرَأَةً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ سَوْءَاءَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا السَّوْءَاءُ قَالَ امْرَأَةٌ فِيهَا قُبْحٌ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَكْثَرُ أَوْلَاداً.

“I once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for not having enough children and that I have no child. He (the Imam) said to me, ‘When you arrive in Iraq, marry a woman and do not mind if she is al-Su’a’.’ I then asked, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what is al- Su’a’?’ He (the Imam) sai

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَلَّمَ فَرَحَّبَ بِهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَدْنَاهُ وَ سَاءَلَهُ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي خَطَبْتُ إِلَى مَوْلَاكَ فُلَانِ بْنِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ ابْنَتَهُ فُلَانَةَ فَرَدَّنِي وَ رَغِبَ عَنِّي وَ ازْدَرَأَنِي لِدَمَامَتِي وَ حَاجَتِي وَ غُرْبَتِي وَ قَدْ دَخَلَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ غَضَاضَةٌ هَجْمَةٌ غُضَّ لَهَا

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Malik ibn ‘Atiyyah from abu Hamzah al-Thumaliy who has said the following: “I once was with abu Ja’far when a man asked permission for a meeting. He came in and offered Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace). Ab

قَالَ لَهُ الْفُضَيْلُ أَتَزَوَّجُ النَّاصِبَةَ قَالَ لَا وَ لَا كَرَامَةَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَقُولُ لَكَ هَذَا وَ لَوْ جَاءَنِي بِبَيْتٍ مَلْآنَ دَرَاهِمَ مَا فَعَلْتُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if I can marry al-Nasibah (one hostile to ‘A’immah). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not an honor.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I just say it but even if she comes to me with a whole house full of dirham I will not

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ لَا يَحِلَّ لِي أَنْ أَتَزَوَّجَ يَعْنِي مِمَّنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ قَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنَ الْبُلْهِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَ قَالَ هُنَ‌ الْمُسْتَضْعَفَاتُ اللَّاتِي لَا يَنْصِبْنَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفْنَ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I am afraid it is not lawful for me to get married with those who do not believe in the Divine Authority of ‘A’immah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Why do you not marry with one of the simple minded women?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They are who are weak, who

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ نِكَاحِ النَّاصِبِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَحِلُّ قَالَ فُضَيْلٌ ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُهُ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي نِكَاحِهِمْ قَالَ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ عَارِفَةٌ قُلْتُ عَارِفَةٌ قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَارِفَةَ لَا تُوضَعُ إِلَّا عِنْدَ عَارِفٍ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about giving in marriage to one hostile to ‘A’immah. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, by Allah, it is not lawful.’ I (Fudayl) then asked him (the Imam) again saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about their marriage?’ H

قُلْتُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي مُنَاكَحَةِ النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي قَدْ بَلَغْتُ مَا تَرَى وَ مَا تَزَوَّجْتُ قَطُّ قَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُنِي إِلَّا أَنِّي أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ يَحِلُّ لِي مُنَاكَحَتُهُمْ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي قَالَ كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ وَ أَنْتَ شَابٌّ أَ تَصْبِرُ قُلْتُ أَتَّخِذُ الْجَوَارِيَ قَالَ فَهَاتِ الْآنَ فَبِمَ تَسْتَحِلُّ الْجَوَارِيَ أَخْبِرْنِي فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الْأَمَةَ لَي

“This is concerning my question before abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the marriage of people. ‘I, as you can see, of this age have not married yet.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What holds you back from getting married?’ I replied, ‘The only thing that holds me back is that I am afraid marrying them is not lawful and I wish to see