The Book of Commerce

لآِخَرَ بِعْنِي ثَمَرَةَ نَخْلِكَ هَذَا الَّذِي فِيهِ بِقَفِيزَيْنِ مِنْ تَمْرٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ يُسَمِّي مَا شَاءَ فَبَاعَهُ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ قَالَ التَّمْرُ وَ الْبُسْرُ مِنْ نَخْلَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَأَمَّا أَنْ يَخْلِطَ التَّمْرَ الْعَتِيقَ وَ الْبُسْرَ فَلَا يَصْلُحُ وَ الزَّبِيبُ وَ الْعِنَبُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ.

“About the case of a man who asks another man to sell the fruits of his certain palm tree for two Qafiz (a certain unit of measurement) of dates or less or more that he names as he likes, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not harmful.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Fresh dates and half-ripe dates from one palm tree c

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي بَصِيرٍ أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ- أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَبْدَلَ قَوْصَرَتَيْنِ فِيهِمَا بُسْرٌ مَطْبُوخٌ بِقَوْصَرَةٍ فِيهَا تَمْرٌ مُشَقَّقٌ‌[1] قَالَ فَسَأَلَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ع هَذَا مَكْرُوهٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ وَ لِمَ يُكْرَهُ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَسْتَبْدِلَ وَسْقاً مِنْ تَمْرِ الْمَدِينَةِ بِوَسْقَيْنِ مِنْ تَمْرِ خَيْبَرَ

“I once asked abu Basir to ask abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who exchanges two baskets of fresh half-ripe dates for one basket of Mushaqaq (stone-free) dates. Abu Basir asked him (the Imam) and he (the Imam) said, ‘It is Makruh (detestable).’ Abu Basir then asked, ‘Why it is Makruh (detestable)?’ He (

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ص يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَسْتَبْدِلَ وَسْقاً مِنْ تَمْرِ خَيْبَرَ بِوَسْقَيْنِ مِنْ تَمْرِ الْمَدِينَةِ لِأَنَّ تَمْرَ خَيْبَرَ أَجْوَدُهُمَا.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that ’Amir al-Mu’minin disliked exchanging of one wasaq (a certain unit of measurement) of dates of Khaybar with two wasaq of dates of al- Madinah because dates of Khaybar are of superior quality.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْبُرِّ بِالسَّوِيقِ فَقَالَ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ قُلْتُ إِنَّهُ يَكُونُ لَهُ رَيْعٌ أَوْ يَكُونُ لَهُ فَضْلٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ لَهُ مَئُونَةٌ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ هَذَا بِذَا وَ قَالَ إِذَا اخْتَلَفَ الشَّيْئَانِ فَلَا بَأْسَ مِثْلَيْنِ بِمِثْلٍ يَداً بِيَدٍ[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about his opinion on wheat and the sawiq (mush made of wheat or barley). He (the Imam) said, ‘Their exchange in equal measures is not harmful.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if one has a certain yield or preference over the other?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Does it not have expenses and mainte

الْحِنْطَةُ بِالدَّقِيقِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ وَ السَّوِيقُ بِالسَّوِيقِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ وَ الشَّعِيرُ بِالْحِنْطَةِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is permissible to exchange wheat with flour in equal measures and sawiq (mush) of wheat with mush and barley with wheat in equal measures, is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَدْفَعُ إِلَى الطَّحَّانِ الطَّعَامَ فَيُقَاطِعُهُ عَلَى أَنْ يُعْطِيَ صَاحِبَهُ لِكُلِّ عَشَرَةِ أَرْطَالٍ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ دَقِيقاً قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَالرَّجُلُ يَدْفَعُ السِّمْسِمَ إِلَى الْعَصَّارِ وَ يَضْمَنُ لَهُ لِكُلِّ صَاعٍ أَرْطَالًا مُسَمَّاةً قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who gives foodstuff to a flour man under a contract that requires him to return for every ten Artal (plural of ritl, a certain unit of measurement) twelve Artal of flour. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not permissible.’ I then asked about sesame given under a con

لَا يَصْلُحُ التَّمْرُ الْيَابِسُ بِالرُّطَبِ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّ التَّمْرَ يَابِسٌ وَ الرُّطَبَ رَطْبٌ فَإِذَا يَبِسَ نَقَصَ وَ لَا يَصْلُحُ الشَّعِيرُ بِالْحِنْطَةِ إِلَّا وَاحِداً بِوَاحِدٍ وَ قَالَ الْكَيْلُ يَجْرِي مَجْرًى وَاحِداً وَ يُكْرَهُ قَفِيزُ لَوْزٍ بِقَفِيزَيْنِ وَ قَفِيزُ تَمْرٍ بِقَفِيزَيْنِ وَ لَكِنْ صَاعُ حِنْطَةٍ بِصَاعَيْنِ مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَ صَاعُ تَمْرٍ بِصَاعَيْنِ مِنْ زَبِيبٍ وَ إِذَا اخْتَلَفَ هَذ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Exchanging dry dates with fresh ones is not valid; dry dates are dry and fresh are not dry. When it dries it shrinks. Exchanging barley with wheat is also not valid unless it is in equal measures.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Measuring is one and the same. It is detestable to exchange one Qa

كَرِهَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَفِيزَ لَوْزٍ بِقَفِيزَيْنِ مِنْ لَوْزٍ وَ قَفِيزَ تَمْرٍ بِقَفِيزَيْنِ مِنْ تَمْرٍ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), disliked exchange of one Qafiz of almond with two Qafiz of almond and one Qafiz of dates with two Qafiz of dates.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَسْلَفَ رَجُلًا زَيْتاً عَلَى أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْهُ سَمْناً قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes an advance payment for oil to receive ghee. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not valid.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ إِسْلَافُ السَّمْنِ بِالزَّيْتِ وَ لَا الزَّيْتِ بِالسَّمْنِ.

‘It is not valid for a man to make advance payment in the form of ghee to receive oil and vice versa.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعِنَبِ بِالزَّبِيبِ قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ إِلَّا مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ قُلْتُ وَ التَّمْرُ وَ الزَّبِيبُ قَالَ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the exchange of grape with raisins and he (the Imam) replied, ‘It is not permissible unless it is in equal measures.’ I asked about exchange of dates and raisins. He (the Imam) said, ‘It must be in equal measures.’”

الْمُخْتَلِفُ مِثْلَانِ بِمِثْلٍ يَداً بِيَدٍ لَا بَأْسَ.

exchange of two different kinds of goods at the same time is not harmful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَرَى فِي التَّمْرِ وَ الْبُسْرِ الْأَحْمَرِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ فَالْبُخْتُجُ وَ الْعَصِيرُ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about dry dates and fresh dates exchanged in equal measures. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about cooked juice and uncooked one exchanged in equal measures. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

الْبَعِيرُ بِالْبَعِيرَيْنِ وَ الدَّابَّةُ بِالدَّابَّتَيْنِ يَداً بِيَدٍ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ‌[3].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The exchange of one camel for two camels, one stumper for two at the same time is not harmful.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ بَيْعِ الْغَزْلِ بِالثِّيَابِ الْمَبْسُوطَةِ وَ الْغَزْلُ أَكْثَرُ وَزْناً مِنَ الثِّيَابِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[4].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of exchanging yarns for expanded fabrics while the yarn is heavier than fabrics in weight. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْعَبْدِ بِالْعَبْدَيْنِ وَ الْعَبْدِ بِالْعَبْدِ وَ الدَّرَاهِمِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالْحَيَوَانِ كُلِّهِ يَداً بِيَدٍ.

‘It is not harmful in the case of all animals if it (the deal) is simultaneous.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْبَعِيرِ بِالْبَعِيرَيْنِ يَداً بِيَدٍ وَ نَسِيئَةً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ إِذَا سَمَّيْتَ بِالْأَسْنَانِ جَذَعَيْنِ أَوْ ثَنِيَّيْنِ ثُمَّ أَمَرَنِي فَخَطَطْتُ عَلَى النَّسِيئَةِ[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about exchanging one camel for two camels in a hand in hand transaction and on credit. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is permissible if you name it in terms of age, Jadh‘ayn or Thaniyayn (kinds of camels in terms of age). He (the Imam) then commanded me to str

لَا يَبِيعُ رَاحِلَةً عَاجِلًا بِعَشَرَةِ مَلَاقِيحَ مِنْ أَوْلَادِ جَمَلٍ فِي قَابِلٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The sale of one grown up camel in exchange for ten fetuses of camel to be born is not valid.’”

مَا كَانَ مِنْ طَعَامٍ مُخْتَلِفٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ يَتَفَاضَلُ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِبَيْعِهِ مِثْلَيْنِ بِمِثْلٍ يَداً بِيَدٍ فَأَمَّا نَظِرَةً فَلَا تَصْلُحُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In the exchange of foodstuff of different kinds or other things with different quantities is not harmful in a hand in hand transaction but it is not valid on credit.’”

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَرِهَ اللَّحْمَ بِالْحَيَوَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), disliked exchange of meat for animals.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الشَّاةِ بِالشَّاتَيْنِ وَ الْبَيْضَةِ بِالْبَيْضَتَيْنِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ كَيْلًا أَوْ وَزْناً.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about exchange of one sheep for two sheep, one egg for two eggs. He (the Imam) said, ’It is not harmful as long as it is not in measures and weighing.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ ادْفَعْ إِلَيَّ غَنَمَكَ وَ إِبِلَكَ تَكُونُ مَعِي فَإِذَا وَلَدَتْ أَبْدَلْتُ لَكَ إِنْ شِئْتَ إِنَاثَهَا بِذُكُورِهَا أَوْ ذُكُورَهَا بِإِنَاثِهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ فِعْلٌ مَكْرُوهٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يُبْدِلَهَا بَعْدَ مَا تُولَدُ وَ يُعَرِّفَهَا[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who says to another man, ‘Send your sheep and camels to be kept and when they give birth, if you like, I will exchange their male with female or vice versa.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a detestable act unless the exchange takes place

الذَّهَبُ بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةُ بِالْفِضَّةِ وَزْناً بِوَزْنٍ سَوَاءً لَيْسَ لِبَعْضِهِ فَضْلٌ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَ تُبَاعُ الْفِضَّةُ بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الذَّهَبُ بِالْفِضَّةِ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ يَداً بِيَدٍ وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ وَ لَا تَحِلُّ النَّسِيئَةُ وَ الذَّهَبُ وَ الْفِضَّةُ يُبَاعَانِ بِمَا سِوَاهُمَا مِنْ وَزْنٍ أَوْ كَيْلٍ أَوْ عَدَدٍ أَوْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ يَداً بِيَدٍ وَ نَسِيئَةً جَمِيعاً لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ وَ مَ

Exchange of gold for gold, silver for silver by weight in equal quantities is balanced. One does not have preference over the other. Silver can be exchanged for gold and gold can be exchanged for silver as you like in a hand in hand transaction and it is not harmful but it is not lawful on credit. Gold and silver can b

مَا كَانَ مِنْ طَعَامٍ سَمَّيْتَ فِيهِ كَيْلًا فَلَا يَصْلُحُ مُجَازَفَةً هَذَا مِمَّا يُكْرَهُ مِنْ بَيْعِ الطَّعَامِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In the case of foodstuff of known measurement venturous estimation is not valid and it is of undesirable matters in the case of foodstuff.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ عَلَى الْآخَرِ مِائَةُ كُرِّ تَمْرٍ وَ لَهُ نَخْلٌ فَيَأْتِيهِ فَيَقُولُ أَعْطِنِي نَخْلَكَ هَذَا بِمَا عَلَيْكَ فَكَأَنَّهُ كَرِهَهُ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُمَا النَّخْلُ فَيَقُولُ أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ إِمَّا أَنْ تَأْخُذَ هَذَا النَّخْلَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا كَيْلًا مُسَمًّى أَوْ تُعْطِيَنِي نِصْفَ هَذَا الْكَيْلِ إِمَّا زَادَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man to whom another man owes one hundred kur of dates and he has palm trees. He comes and says, ‘Give to me your palm trees for what you owe to me.’ It seemed as if he (the Imam) disliked it. I then asked about two men who have palm trees

أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْجَوْزِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَعُدَّ فَيُكَالُ بِمِكْيَالٍ فَيُعَدُّ مَا فِيهِ ثُمَّ يُكَالُ مَا بَقِيَ عَلَى حِسَابِ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْعَدَدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about walnuts that cannot be counted. The owner weighs a certain measurement, then counts the rest according to that measurement. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي بَيْعاً فِيهِ كَيْلٌ أَوْ وَزْنٌ يُعَيِّرُهُ ثُمَّ يَأْخُذُهُ عَلَى نَحْوِ مَا فِيهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys something which is sold by measure or weight and takes it according to that standard. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ لَهُ نَعَمٌ يَبِيعُ أَلْبَانَهَا بِغَيْرِ كَيْلٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ حَتَّى‌ يَنْقَطِعَ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has cattle; if he can sell their milk without measurement. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so until it stops (coming through the udder) or something similar.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اللَّبَنِ يُشْتَرَى وَ هُوَ فِي الضَّرْعِ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَحْلُبَ لَكَ سُكُرُّجَةً[2] فَيَقُولَ اشْتَرِ مِنِّي هَذَا اللَّبَنَ الَّذِي فِي السُّكُرُّجَةِ وَ مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا بِثَمَنٍ مُسَمًّى فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الضُّرُوعِ شَيْ‌ءٌ كَانَ مَا فِي السُّكُرُّجَةِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), if milk which still is in the udder can be purchased. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, until it is milked in al-Sukurrujah (a bowl) and the seller can say, “Buy what is in al-Sukurruajah and that which is in the udder for the named price” and if there is nothing in the udder that which is i

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْتَرِي مِائَةَ رَاوِيَةٍ مِنْ زَيْتٍ فَأَعْرِضُ رَاوِيَةً وَ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَأَزِنُهُمَا ثُمَّ آخُذُ سَائِرَهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about buying a hundred Rawiyah (a certain unit of measurement) of oil, then weigh one or two Rawiyah then accept the rest according to such weighing. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَصْوَافَ مِائَةِ نَعْجَةٍ وَ مَا فِي بُطُونِهَا مِنْ حَمْلٍ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي بُطُونِهَا حَمْلٌ كَانَ رَأْسُ مَالِهِ فِي الصُّوفِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys wool of a hundred sheep from another man and what is in their womb for so amount of dirham. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful; in case there is nothing in their womb he has his capital in the wool.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَصْلُحُ لِي أَنْ أَشْتَرِيَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْجَارِيَةَ الْآبِقَةَ وَ أُعْطِيَهُمُ الثَّمَنَ وَ أَطْلُبَهَا أَنَا قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ شِرَاؤُهَا إِلَّا أَنْ تَشْتَرِيَ مِنْهُمْ مَعَهَا شَيْئاً ثَوْباً أَوْ مَتَاعاً فَتَقُولَ لَهُمْ أَشْتَرِي مِنْكُمْ جَارِيَتَكُمْ فُلَانَةَ وَ هَذَا الْمَتَاعَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ جَائِزٌ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), if my buying a runaway slave-girl from a people and paying them the price but myself search to find her, is valid. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not valid unless you buy from them a certain other item, like cloths or so and say to them, “I buy your so slave- girl and this item of

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.’”

إِذَا كَانَتْ أَجَمَةٌ لَيْسَ فِيهَا قَصَبٌ أُخْرِجَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ السَّمَكِ فَيُبَاعُ وَ مَا فِي الْأَجَمَةِ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If there is a bunch of trees without reeds with a few fish taken out along with what is in the bunch of trees, it can (lawfully) be sold.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَتَقَبَّلُ بِجِزْيَةِ رُءُوسِ الرِّجَالِ‌[2] وَ بِخَرَاجِ النَّخْلِ وَ الْآجَامِ وَ الطَّيْرِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَدْرِي لَعَلَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْ‌ءٌ أَبَداً أَوْ يَكُونُ قَالَ إِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً وَاحِداً أَنَّهُ قَدْ أَدْرَكَ فَاشْتَرِهِ وَ تَقَبَّلْ بِهِ.

“About the case of a man who accepts in a transaction, in exchange for what he pays, the taxes due on non-Muslim taxpayers, taxes on palm trees, on groves, on birds and does not know if any such items exist or not, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If he knows that at least one thing of it exists that he can have, he c

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَشْتَرِي الْجِصَّ فَيَكِيلُ بَعْضَهُ وَ يَأْخُذُ الْبَقِيَّةَ بِغَيْرِ كَيْلٍ فَقَالَ إِمَّا أَنْ يَأْخُذَ كُلَّهُ بِتَصْدِيقِهِ وَ إِمَّا أَنْ يَكِيلَهُ كُلَّهُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys lime. He weighs a certain portion then accepts the rest without measurement. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can accept all of it with his certification or measure all of it.��”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى ثَوْباً وَ لَمْ يَشْتَرِطْ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ شَيْئاً فَكَرِهَهُ ثُمَّ رَدَّهُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَقْبَلَهُ إِلَّا بِوَضِيعَةٍ قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَهُ بِوَضِيعَةٍ فَإِنْ جَهِلَ فَأَخَذَهُ وَ بَاعَهُ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ ثَمَنِهِ رَدَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ الْأَوَّلِ مَا زَادَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys clothes without condition; then dislikes them and returns to the seller who does not accept the return without a certain amount of penalty. He (the Imam) said, ‘He cannot charge any penalty but if he did it because of ignora

فِي رَجُلٍ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ بِعْ ثَوْبِي بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ فَمَا فَضَلَ فَهُوَ لَكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ.

“About the case of a man who says to another man, ‘Sell my cloth for ten dirham, if you sold for more, then the extra is for you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يَبِيعُهُمْ مُرَابَحَةً.

“About the case of a man who carries goods for the people of a market who set a price on the goods and say, ‘If you sold for more, the extra is for you’, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not harmful but he cannot sell it for them on the basis of profit sharing.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَجْرِ السِّمْسَارِ إِنَّمَا يَشْتَرِي لِلنَّاسِ‌[1] يَوْماً بَعْدَ يَوْمٍ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مُسَمًّى إِنَّمَا هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْأُجَرَاءِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Brokerage fee is not unlawful; he only buys for people every now and then for a known amount. He in fact works on hire.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السِّمْسَارِ يَشْتَرِي بِالْأَجْرِ فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَيْهِ الْوَرِقُ وَ يُشْتَرَطُ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّكَ إِنْ تَأْتِي بِمَا تَشْتَرِي فَمَا شِئْتُ تَرَكْتُهُ فَيَذْهَبُ فَيَشْتَرِي ثُمَّ يَأْتِي بِالْمَتَاعِ فَيَقُولُ خُذْ مَا رَضِيتَ وَ دَعْ مَا كَرِهْتَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a broker who buys for a fee. Notes are given to him with the condition that he brings the merchandise and the buyer accepts whatever he likes and leaves the rest. He then brings the goods and says, ‘Take what you like and leave what you dis

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الْجِرَابَ الْهَرَوِيَّ وَ الْقُوهِيَ‌[2] فَيَشْتَرِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْهُ عَشَرَةَ أَثْوَابٍ فَيَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهِ خِيَارَهُ كُلَّ ثَوْبٍ بِرِبْحِ خَمْسَةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ فَقَالَ مَا أُحِبُّ هَذَا الْبَيْعَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ خِيَاراً غَيْرَ خَمْسَةِ أَثْوَابٍ وَ وَجَدَ الْبَقِيَّةَ سَوَاءً قَالَ لَهُ إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُهُ إِنَّهُمْ قَدِ اشْتَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys sacks made in Hirat, and in al-Quhiy. A man then buys from him ten cloths with the condition that he can choose every cloth, for a certain amount of profit, five or less or more. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like this sale.

يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يُشْتَرَى الثَّوْبُ بِدِينَارٍ غَيْرَ دِرْهَمٍ لِأَنَّهُ لَا يُدْرَى كَمِ الدِّينَارُ مِنَ الدِّرْهَمِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is undesirable to buy something with dinar which is other than (a particular) dirham because he does not know the value of dinar in relation to the dirham.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الْمَتَاعَ جَمِيعاً بِالثَّمَنِ ثُمَّ يُقَوِّمُ كُلَّ ثَوْبٍ بِمَا يَسْوَى حَتَّى يَقَعَ عَلَى رَأْسِ مَالِهِ جَمِيعاً أَ يَبِيعُهُ مُرَابَحَةً قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يُبَيِّنَ لَهُ أَنَّمَا قَوَّمَهُ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys goods altogether for a certain price, then sets a price for each piece proportionately until all of his capital is covered; if he can sell it in the form of Murabahah (capital plus a certain percent profit). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot do so until

قُدِّمَ لِأَبِي ع مَتَاعٌ مِنْ مِصْرٍ فَصَنَعَ طَعَاماً وَ دَعَا لَهُ التُّجَّارَ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا نَأْخُذُهُ مِنْكَ بِدَهْ دَوَازْدَهْ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَبِي وَ كَمْ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا فِي عَشَرَةِ آلَافٍ أَلْفَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَبِي إِنِّي أَبِيعُكُمْ هَذَا الْمَتَاعَ بِاثْنَيْ عَشَرَ أَلْفاً فَبَاعَهُمْ مُسَاوَمَةً.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once goods for my father came from Egypt. He (the Imam) prepared food and invited the merchants. They said, ‘We buy from you Be dah dawazdah. He (the Imam) a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي لَأَكْرَهُ بَيْعَ دَهْ يَازْدَهْ وَ دَهْ دَوَازْدَهْ وَ لَكِنْ أَبِيعُكَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا.

‘I do not like the sale in the form of dah, yaz dah, and dah dawazdah but I sell for so and so (fixed price).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي أَكْرَهُ بَيْعَ عَشَرَةٍ بِأَحَدَ عَشَرَ وَ عَشَرَةٍ بِاثْنَيْ عَشَرَ وَ نَحْوَ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْبَيْعِ وَ لَكِنْ أَبِيعُكَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا مُسَاوَمَةً قَالَ وَ أَتَانِي مَتَاعٌ مِنْ مِصْرٍ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَبِيعَهُ كَذَلِكَ وَ عَظُمَ عَلَيَّ فَبِعْتُهُ مُسَاوَمَةً[2].

4. Al-Husayn from Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘I do not like the sale of ten for eleven and ten for twelve and so on. I sell for so and so (fixed price) in the form of

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَبْعَثُ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ لَهَا صَرْفٌ إِلَى الْأَهْوَازِ[1] فَيَشْتَرِي لَنَا بِهَا الْمَتَاعَ ثُمَّ نَلْبَثُ فَإِذَا بَاعَهُ‌[2] وُضِعَ عَلَيْهِ صَرْفُهُ فَإِذَا بِعْنَاهُ كَانَ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَذْكُرَ لَهُ صَرْفَ الدَّرَاهِمِ فِي الْمُرَابَحَةِ يُجْزِئُنَا عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ إِذَا كَانَتِ الْمُرَابَحَةُ فَأَخْبِرْهُ بِذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُسَاوَمَةً فَلَا بَأْسَ‌[3].

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We send dirham to Ahwaz where the price of dirham is different. With it goods are bought for us. We then wait until the goods are sold, the difference of price of dirham is deducted from it, if we sell. Is it necessary for us to mention the difference in prices in selling in the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ لِيَ اشْتَرِ لِي هَذَا الثَّوْبَ وَ هَذِهِ الدَّابَّةَ وَ يُعَيِّنُهَا وَ أُرْبِحَكَ فِيهَا كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ لَيَشْتَرِيهَا وَ لَا تُوَاجِبْهُ الْبَيْعَ- قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَوْجِبَهَا أَوْ تَشْتَرِيَهَا[4].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who said to me, ‘Buy this cloth and this stumper from me, then in the form of ‘Aynah sell them to me (sell them to me and I will give you a profit of so and so amount).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He shou

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَشْتَرِي الْمَتَاعَ بِنَظِرَةٍ فَيَجِي‌ءُ الرَّجُلُ فَيَقُولُ بِكَمْ تَقَوَّمَ عَلَيْكَ فَأَقُولُ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَأَبِيعُهُ بِرِبْحٍ فَقَالَ إِذَا بِعْتَهُ مُرَابَحَةً كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ النَّظِرَةِ مِثْلُ مَا لَكَ قَالَ فَاسْتَرْجَعْتُ وَ قُلْتُ هَلَكْنَا فَقَالَ مِمَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأَنَّ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ثَوْبٌ إِلَّا أَبِيعُهُ مُرَابَحَةً يُشْتَرَى مِنِّي وَ لَوْ وُضِعْتُ مِنْ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I buy goods with deferred payment for a certain time. A man comes to me and says, ‘What is the price.’ I say, ‘It is so and so amount.’ I then sell it to him with a certain amount of profit. He (the Imam) said, ‘When you sell it in the form of Murabahah (capital plus profit) he h