The Book of Commerce

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَشْتَرِي الْعِدْلَ فِيهِ مِائَةُ ثَوْبٍ خِيَارٍ وَ شِرَارٍ دَسْتْشُمَارَ فَيَجِيئُنَا الرَّجُلُ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنَ الْعِدْلِ تِسْعِينَ ثَوْباً بِرِبْحِ دِرْهَمٍ دِرْهَمٍ فَيَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَبِيعَ الْبَاقِيَ عَلَى مِثْلِ مَا بِعْنَا فَقَالَ لَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ الثَّوْبَ وَحْدَهُ‌[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case in which we buy a bundle of a hundred or so cloths in which there are good and bad ones ‘dast shumar ’ (farsi word for mixed). A man comes and takes ninety for the bundle with profit of one dirham for each. Is it proper for us to sell the rest

لَا بَأْسَ بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْمَتَاعِ إِذَا وَصَفْتَ الطُّولَ وَ الْعَرْضَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Advance payment to receive goods at an appointed time in the future is lawful if the length and width are fully described.”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّلَمَ وَ هُوَ السَّلَفُ فِي الْحَرِيرِ وَ الْمَتَاعِ الَّذِي يُصْنَعُ فِي الْبَلَدِ الَّذِي أَنْتَ فِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about advance payment to receive goods on a date in future which is payment in advance for silk or goods made in the location where you live. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is lawful if the time is known.’”

قَالَ: لَا بَأْسَ بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْمَتَاعِ إِذَا سَمَّيْتَ الطُّولَ وَ الْعَرْضَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Advance payment to receive goods in future is lawful if the length and width is made known.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَجِيئُنِي الرَّجُلُ يَطْلُبُ مِنِّي الْمَتَاعَ بِعَشَرَةِ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي إِلَّا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَسْتَعِيرُ مِنْ جَارِي وَ آخُذُ مِنْ ذَا وَ ذَا فَأَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ أَشْتَرِيهِ مِنْهُ أَوْ آمُرُ مَنْ يَشْتَرِيهِ فَأَرُدُّهُ عَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who comes to me and asks me for certain goods at the price of ten thousand dirham or less or more but I have only what is worth one thousand dirham. I then borrow from my neighbor and take from this and that person to complete the am

سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَاعَ بَيْعاً لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ إِلَى أَجَلٍ وَ ضَمِنَ لَهُ الْبَيْعَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

It is not unlawful.’”.

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى مَتَاعاً لَيْسَ فِيهِ كَيْلٌ وَ لَا وَزْنٌ أَ يَبِيعُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْبِضَهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who has bought certain goods which are not exchanged by measurement or weighing; if he can sell them before receiving delivery. He (the Imam) said, It is lawful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَجِيئُنِي يَطْلُبُ الْمَتَاعَ فَأُقَاوِلُهُ عَلَى الرِّبْحِ ثُمَّ أَشْتَرِيهِ فَأَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يُفْسِدُهُ قَالَ وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ بَاعَ مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ قَالَ فَمَا يَقُولُ فِي السَّلَمِ قَدْ بَاعَ صَاحِبُهُ مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَإِنّ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man comes to me and asks for certain goods. I contract with him for a certain profit, then buy it to sell to him. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Does he have the choice to take or leave it?’ I replied, ‘Yes, he does.’ He (the Imam) said, Tt is lawful.’ I then said, ‘There are those amon

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَجِيئُنِي يَطْلُبُ الْمَتَاعَ الْحَرِيرَ وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَيُقَاوِلُنِي وَ أُقَاوِلُهُ فِي الرِّبْحِ وَ الْأَجَلِ حَتَّى يَجْتَمِعَ عَلَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٌ ثُمَّ أَذْهَبُ فَأَشْتَرِي لَهُ الْحَرِيرَ وَ أَدْعُوهُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ وَجَدَ بَيْعاً هُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا عِنْدَكَ أَ يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَنْصَرِفَ إِلَيْهِ‌[3] وَ يَدَعَكَ أَوْ وَجَدْتَ

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who comes to me and asks for certain goods of silk but I

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَجِي‌ءُ فَيَقُولُ اشْتَرِ هَذَا الثَّوْبَ وَ أُرْبِحَكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِنَّمَا يُحَلِّلُ الْكَلَامُ وَ يُحَرِّمُ الْكَلَامُ‌[2].

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man comes to me and says, “Buy this cloth and I give you so and so much profit.’” He (the Imam) asked, ‘Can he take or leave it if he so wants?’ I replied, ‘Yes, he can do so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful. It is statements that make it lawful as well as unlawful.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تَبِيعَ الرَّجُلَ الْمَتَاعَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَكَ تُسَاوِمُهُ ثُمَّ تَشْتَرِي لَهُ نَحْوَ الَّذِي طَلَبَ ثُمَّ تُوجِبُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ ثُمَّ تَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُ بَعْدُ.

‘It is lawful for a man to sell goods which are not with him in the form of Musawamah (fixed price regardless of capital), then buy for him the goods he demands and make it necessary for yourself thereafter to ask him to sell it to you.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَاعَ بَيْعاً لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ إِلَى أَجَلٍ وَ ضَمِنَ الْبَيْعَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a sale and the merchandise is not with him for an appointed time but he guarantees the sale. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مُعَتِّبٌ فَقَالَ بِالْبَابِ رَجُلَانِ فَقَالَ أَدْخِلْهُمَا فَدَخَلَا فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا إِنِّي رَجُلٌ قَصَّابٌ وَ إِنِّي أَبِيعُ الْمُسُوكَ‌[3] قَبْلَ أَنْ أَذْبَحَ الْغَنَمَ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ لَكِنِ انْسُبْهَا غَنَمَ أَرْضِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا[4].

‘It is not unlawful. However, say from the sheep is from so and so land.’”

فِي الْجَيِّدِ دَعْوَتَانِ وَ فِي الرَّدِيِّ دَعْوَتَانِ‌ يُقَالُ لِصَاحِبِ الْجَيِّدِ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ وَ فِيمَنْ بَاعَكَ وَ يُقَالُ لِصَاحِبِ الرَّدِيِّ لَا بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ وَ لَا فِيمَنْ بَاعَكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There are two expressions for each of good and bad merchandise: To the owner of good merchandise it is said, “May Allah grant you blessings and the one who sold it to you.” To the owner of bad merchandise it is said, “Allah does not bless you and the one who sold it to you.’””

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تُعَالِجُ قُلْتُ أَبِيعُ الطَّعَامَ فَقَالَ لِي اشْتَرِ الْجَيِّدَ وَ بِعِ الْجَيِّدَ فَإِنَّ الْجَيِّدَ إِذَا بِعْتَهُ قِيلَ لَهُ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ وَ فِيمَنْ بَاعَكَ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from al-Washsha’ from ‘Asem ibn Hamid who has said the following: “Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘How do you make a living?’ I replied, ‘I sell foodstuff.’ He (the Imam) said to me, ‘Buy those of good quality and sell of the good

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَجِيئُنِي الرَّجُلُ فَيَطْلُبُ الْعِينَةَ فَأَشْتَرِي لَهُ الْمَتَاعَ مُرَابَحَةً ثُمَّ أَبِيعُهُ إِيَّاهُ ثُمَّ أَشْتَرِيهِ مِنْهُ مَكَانِي‌[3] قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ بِالْخِيَارِ إِنْ شَاءَ بَاعَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَبِعْ‌[4] وَ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ أَيْضاً بِالْخِيَارِ إِنْ شِئْتَ اشْتَرَيْتَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تَشْتَرِ فَلَا بَأْسَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ أَهْلَ الْمَسْجِدِ[5] يَزْعُمُو

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man comes to me and asks for ‘Aynah. I then buy for him the merchandise in the manner of Murabahah (capital plus profit) then sell it to him, then buy it from him at the same place. He (the Imam) said, Tf he has the choice to sell if he likes or not to sell and you also have t

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْعِينَةِ وَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ عَامَّةَ تُجَّارِنَا الْيَوْمَ يُعْطُونَ الْعِينَةَ فَأَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ كَيْفَ تُعْمَلُ قَالَ هَاتِ قُلْتُ يَأْتِينَا الرَّجُلُ الْمُسَاوِمُ يُرِيدُ الْمَالَ فَيُسَاوِمُنَا وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَنَا مَتَاعٌ فَيَقُولُ أُرْبِحُكَ دَهْ يَازْدَهْ وَ أَقُولُ أَنَا دَهْ دَوَازْدَهْ فَلَا نَزَالُ نَتَرَاوَضُ حَتَّى نَتَرَاوَضَ عَلَى أَمْرٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغْنَا قُلْتُ لَهُ أَي

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about ‘Aynah saying, ‘Our merchants in general these days provide ‘Aynah. I like to explain how it is done. He (the Imam) said, ‘Go on and explain.’ I said, ‘A man comes who works in Musaxvamah (fixed price regardless of capital) who wants merchandise on the basis of Musawamah but we

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَبَ مِنْ رَجُلٍ ثَوْباً بِعِينَةٍ- فَقَالَ‌ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي وَ هَذِهِ دَرَاهِمُ فَخُذْهَا فَاشْتَرِ بِهَا فَأَخَذَهَا وَ اشْتَرَى ثَوْباً كَمَا يُرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِهِ لِيَشْتَرِيَهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ إِنْ ذَهَبَ الثَّوْبُ فَمِنْ مَالِ الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ الدَّرَاهِمَ قُلْتُ بَلَى فَقَالَ إِنْ شَاءَ اشْتَرَى وَ إِنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَشْتَرِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who asks another man for a cloth on the basis of ‘Aynah and he says, ‘I do not have it but take these dirhams and buy the cloth.’ He takes the dirhams and buys a cloth as he wants, then comes to him so that he buys it from him. He (t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ يُعَيَّنُ ثُمَّ حَلَّ دَيْنُهُ فَلَمْ يَجِدْ مَا يَقْضِي أَ يَتَعَيَّنُ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ الَّذِي عَيَّنَهُ وَ يَقْضِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man who is engaged in an al- ’Aynah deal and the payment date has become due but he cannot find anything to pay back his debt; if he can arrange another al- ’Aynah with the same creditor again.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so again.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَكُونُ لِي عَلَى الرَّجُلِ الدَّرَاهِمُ فَيَقُولُ لِي بِعْنِي شَيْئاً أَقْضِيكَ فَأَبِيعُهُ الْمَتَاعَ ثُمَّ أَشْتَرِيهِ مِنْهُ وَ أَقْبِضُ مَالِي قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man owes me a certain amount of dirhams and he says, “Sell to me certain goods so I can pay what I owe to you.” I then sell to him certain goods, then buy it from him and take what he owes me.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ حَنَانٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْعِينَةِ فِي رَجُلٍ يُبَايِعُ رَجُلًا فَيَقُولُ لَهُ أُبَايِعُكَ بِدَهْ دَوَازْدَهْ وَ بِدَهْ يَازْدَهْ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذَا فَاسِدٌ وَ لَكِنْ يَقُولُ أَرْبَحُ عَلَيْكَ فِي جَمِيعِ الدَّرَاهِمِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ يُسَاوِمُهُ عَلَى هَذَا فَلَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ قَالَ أُسَاوِمُهُ وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي مَتَاعٌ قَالَ لَا

‘What do you say about al- ’Aynah in the case of a man who sells certain goods to a man and says, “I sell to you bah dah dawazdah and bah dahyazdahT” Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘This is not valid. He must, however, say, “For all dirhams I give you so and so amount of dirham profit in the form of Musawamah (fixed pric

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لِي عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ وَ هُوَ مُعْسِرٌ فَأَشْتَرِي بَيْعاً مِنْ رَجُلٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ عَلَى أَنْ أَضْمَنَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ لِلرَّجُلِ وَ يَقْضِيَنِي الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who owes a certain amount of debts and he is a Mu‘sir (unable to pay). Can I arrange for him to buy something from a man for an appointed time and guarantee in his favor so he can pay his debts (with the item just purchased for him) t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَيَّنْتُ رَجُلًا عِينَةً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ اقْضِنِي فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي فَعَيِّنِّي حَتَّى أَقْضِيَكَ قَالَ عَيِّنْهُ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَكَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I made an al-’ Aynah deal with a man. I then asked him to pay back what he owes because of the deal. He replied, “I do not have anything to pay you back unless you arrange another al-’ Aynah so I can pay you back.’” He (the Imam) said, ‘You can arrange another al- ’Aynah for him

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ سَلْسَبِيلَ طَلَبَتْ مِنِّي مِائَةَ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ عَلَى أَنْ تُرْبِحَنِي عَشَرَةَ آلَافٍ فَأَقْرَضْتُهُا تِسْعِينَ أَلْفاً وَ أَبِيعُهَا ثَوْباً وَشِيّاً[2] تُقَوَّمُ عَلَيَّ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ بِعَشَرَةِ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ: وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ أَعْطِهَا مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ وَ بِعْهَا الثَّوْبَ بِعَشَرَةِ آلَافٍ وَ اكْتُبْ عَلَيْهَا كِتَابَيْنِ.

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘Salsabil has asked me for a hundred thousand dirham which she will pay back with a ten thousand dirham profit. I gave her ninety thousand dirham loan with the sale of a cloth and something else worth a thousand dirham for ten thousand dirham (she now owes a total of one hundred th

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمَالُ قَدْ حَلَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ يَبِيعُهُ لُؤْلُؤَةً تَسْوَى مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ يُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ الْمَالَ إِلَى وَقْتٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قَدْ أَمَرَنِي أَبِي فَفَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man to whom someone owes a certain amount of goods and payback time becomes due. His party sells to him a pearl worth a hundred dirham for a thousand dirham and extends the payback time to another appointed time. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful. My father comma

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع يَكُونُ لِي عَلَى الرَّجُلِ دَرَاهِمُ فَيَقُولُ أَخِّرْنِي بِهَا وَ أَنَا أُرْبِحُكَ فَأَبِيعُهُ جُبَّةً تُقَوَّمُ عَلَيَّ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ بِعَشَرَةِ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ أَوْ قَالَ بِعِشْرِينَ أَلْفاً وَ أُؤَخِّرُهُ بِالْمَالِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who owes me a certain amount of dirham and says to me, ‘Extend the payback time and I will give you profit’. I then sell to him a gown worth a thousand dirham for ten thousand dirhams - or that he said, twenty thousand dirhams - and extend the payback time. He

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُعَيِّنَهُ الْمَالَ وَ يَكُونُ لِي عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ فَيَطْلُبُ مِنِّي مَالًا أَزِيدُهُ عَلَى مَالِيَ الَّذِي لِي عَلَيْهِ أَ يَسْتَقِيمُ أَنْ أَزِيدَهُ مَالًا وَ أَبِيعَهُ لُؤْلُؤَةً تُسَاوِي مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَقُولَ أَبِيعُكَ هَذِهِ اللُّؤْلُؤَةَ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ عَلَى أَنْ أُؤَخِّرَكَ بِثَمَنِهَا وَ بِمَالِي عَلَيْكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا شَهْراً قَا

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a man with whom I like to arrange an al-’Aynah. He already owes me a certain amount of goods. He asks me for additional goods. Is it right to provide him additional goods and sell to him a pearl worth a hundred dirham for a thousand dirham and I say, ‘I sell to you

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ بَاعَ سِلْعَةً فَقَالَ إِنَّ ثَمَنَهَا كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَداً بِيَدٍ وَ ثَمَنَهَا كَذَا وَ كَذَا نَظِرَةً فَخُذْهَا بِأَيِّ ثَمَنٍ شِئْتَ وَ جَعَلَ صَفْقَتَهَا وَاحِدَةً فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَقَلُّهُمَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ نَظِرَةً[2] قَالَ وَ قَالَ ع مَنْ سَاوَمَ بِثَمَنَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا عَاجِلًا وَ الْآخَرُ نَظِرَةً فَلْيُسَمِّ أَحَدَهُمَا قَبْلَ الصَّفْقَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ’If one sells certain goods and says that its price in a hand in hand deal is so and so and in a deferred payment deal is so and so, so take which ever you like and makes it a package deal, he can only take what costs the least even if it is the deal with th

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ عُمَرُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَبَاعَ عُمَرُ جِرَاباً هَرَوِيّاً كُلَّ ثَوْبٍ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَأَخَذُوهُ فَاقْتَسَمُوهُ فَوَجَدُوا ثَوْباً فِيهِ عَيْبٌ فَرَدُّوهُ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ عُمَرُ أُعْطِيكُمْ ثَمَنَهُ الَّذِي بِعْتُكُمْ‌ بِهِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ نَأْخُذُ مِنْكَ قِيمَةَ الثَّوْبِ فَذَكَرَ عُمَرُ ذَلِكَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ يَلْزَمُهُ ذَلِكَ‌[1].

‘Umar and I were in al-Madinah and ‘Umar sold sacks made in Hirat, every cloth for so and so amount. They took them and divided among themselves but they found one defective piece and returned it. ‘Umar said to them, ‘I can pay you the price for which I sold to you.’ He said, ‘No, we take from you the price of the clot

إِنْ كَانَ الشَّيْ‌ءُ قَائِماً بِعَيْنِهِ رَدَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَخَذَ الثَّمَنَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الثَّوْبُ قَدْ قُطِعَ أَوْ خِيطَ أَوْ صُبِغَ يَرْجِعُ بِنُقْصَانِ الْعَيْبِ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a man who buys cloths or goods and finds defects in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the item is exactly as it was, he can return and get back what he has paid and if the cloth is cut or stitched or dyed he must pay for t

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى شَيْئاً وَ بِهِ عَيْبٌ أَوْ عَوَارٌ وَ لَمْ يَتَبَرَّأْ[2] إِلَيْهِ وَ لَمْ يَتَبَيَّنْ لَهُ فَأَحْدَثَ فِيهِ بَعْدَ مَا قَبَضَهُ شَيْئاً ثُمَّ عَلِمَ بِذَلِكَ الْعَوَارِ أَوْ بِذَلِكَ الدَّاءِ إِنَّهُ يُمْضَى عَلَيْهِ الْبَيْعُ وَ يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الدَّاءِ وَ الْعَيْبِ مِنْ ثَمَنِ ذَلِكَ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِهِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever buys something and finds defect in it or injuries that does not get well which was not apparent to him (when buying) and he then does some changes in it after taking delivery then finds out about the defect or injury, he must approve the sale and ask for the refund of the cost of

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

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيٌّ ع فِي رَجُلٍ أَمَرَهُ نَفَرٌ لِيَبْتَاعَ لَهُمْ بَعِيراً بِنَقْدٍ وَ يَزِيدُونَهُ فَوْقَ ذَلِكَ نَظِرَةً فَابْتَاعَ لَهُمْ بَعِيراً وَ مَعَهُ بَعْضُهُمْ فَمَنَعَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْهُمْ فَوْقَ وَرِقِهِ نَظِرَةً.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu Najran from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from Muhammad ibn Qays who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), in the case of a man who was ordered by certain persons to ask to sell to them a camel and they had agreed to pay m

لَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَبِيعَهُ مُرَابَحَةً إِلَّا إِلَى الْأَجَلِ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ بَاعَهُ مُرَابَحَةً فَلَمْ يُخْبِرْهُ كَانَ لِلَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ مِنَ الْأَجَلِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ.

“About the case of a man who buys certain goods with deferred payment for an appointed time, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘He cannot buy it in the manner of Murabahah (capital plus profit) without deferment for an appointed time which is agreed upon; and if he sells in the manner of Murabahah (capital plus profit) with

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَبِيعُ الْمَتَاعَ بِنَسَاءٍ فَيَشْتَرِيهِ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ الَّذِي يَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَشْتَرِي مَتَاعِي فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُوَ مَتَاعَكَ وَ لَا بَقَرَكَ وَ لَا غَنَمَكَ. - أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ الْحَدَّادِ عَنْ بَشَّارِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ م

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who sells goods on credit with deferred payment, then buys them from the party to whom he has sold. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘Can I buy my own goods?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not your property, your c

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ قَرَابَةٌ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ أَوْلَاداً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ غِلْمَاناً وَ جَوَارِيَ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ فَمَا تَرَى فِيمَنْ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُمُ الْجَارِيَةَ يَتَّخِذُهَا أُمَّ وَلَدٍ وَ مَا تَرَى فِي بَيْعِهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُمْ وَلِيٌّ يَقُومُ بِأَمْرِهِمْ‌[1] بَاعَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ نَظَرَ لَهُمْ وَ كَانَ مَأْجُوراً فِيهِمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who is of my relatives who has left behind small children, slave-boys and slave-girls, and has not made any will. ‘What do you say about one who buys from them a slave-girl for a mother of one’s child and what do you say about selling them?’ He (the Imam

مَاتَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا وَ لَمْ يُوصِ فَرُفِعَ أَمْرُهُ إِلَى قَاضِي الْكُوفَةِ فَصَيَّرَ عَبْدَ الْحَمِيدِ الْقَيِّمَ بِمَالِهِ وَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ خَلَّفَ وَرَثَةً صِغَاراً وَ مَتَاعاً وَ جَوَارِيَ فَبَاعَ عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ الْمَتَاعَ فَلَمَّا أَرَادَ بَيْعَ الْجَوَارِي ضَعُفَ قَلْبُهُ فِي بَيْعِهِنَّ إِذْ لَمْ يَكُنِ الْمَيِّتُ صَيَّرَ إِلَيْهِ الْوَصِيَّةَ وَ كَانَ قِيَامُهُ فِيهَا بِأَمْرِ الْقَاضِي لِأَنّ

“A certain person of our people died without a will and his case was presented before a judge of al- Kufah. ‘Abd al-Hamid was appointed as the supervisor over his affairs. The man had left behind small heirs, assets and slave-girls. ‘Abd al-Hamid sold the assets and when he wanted to sell the slave-girls, His heart bec

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الْعَبْدَ وَ هُوَ آبِقٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَقَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ مَعَهُ شَيْئاً آخَرَ فَيَقُولَ أَشْتَرِي مِنْكَ هَذَا الشَّيْ‌ءَ وَ عَبْدَكَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ كَانَ ثَمَنُهُ الَّذِي نَقَدَ فِي الشَّيْ‌ءِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave, who is a runaway one, from his people. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not valid unless he buys something else along with him and says, “I buy from you this thing and your slave so and so for so and so amount” and if he cannot find the slave his

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ سَاوَمْتُ رَجُلًا بِجَارِيَةٍ لَهُ فَبَاعَنِيهَا بِحُكْمِي فَقَبَضْتُهَا مِنْهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ بَعَثْتُ إِلَيْهِ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ هَذِهِ الْأَلْفُ حُكْمِي عَلَيْكَ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَقْبَلَهَا مِنِّي وَ قَدْ كُنْتُ مَسِسْتُهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ أَبْعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنْ تُقَوَّمَ الْجَارِيَةُ بِقِيمَةٍ عَادِلَةٍ فَإِنْ كَانَ ثَمَنُه

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have made a deal with a man in the manner of Musawamah (fixed price regardless of capital) about his slave-girl. He sold her to me on my demand and I took possession on that basis, sent him a thousand dirham and said to him, ‘This is a thousand because of my order.’ He refused

فِي الْمَمْلُوكِ يَكُونُ بَيْنَ شُرَكَاءَ فَيَبِيعُ أَحَدُهُمْ نَصِيبَهُ فَيَقُولُ صَاحِبُهُ أَنَا أَحَقُّ بِهِ أَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ وَاحِداً فَقِيلَ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ شُفْعَةٌ فَقَالَ لَا.

“This is about the case of a slave who is owned by several people and one of them sells his share and the other says, ‘I am more rightful to buy it if his claim is right.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a right if there is only one shareholder.’ It then was asked if there is right of al-Shuf’ (priority right over others to

فِي شِرَاءِ الرُّومِيَّاتِ قَالَ اشْتَرِهِنَّ وَ بِعْهُنَّ.

“About the case of buying and the sale of Romans, Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘(If they are for sale), buy and sell them.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ شِرَاءِ مَمْلُوكِي أَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ إِذَا أَقَرُّوا لَهُمْ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَقَرُّوا لَهُمْ بِذَلِكَ فَاشْتَرِ وَ انْكِحْ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about buying slaves of tax payers if their government approves. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the authority over them approves you can buy and marry them.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْمٍ مِنَ الْعَدُوِّ صَالَحُوا ثُمَّ خَفَرُوا[1] وَ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا خَفَرُوا لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يُعْدَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَ يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يُشْتَرَى مِنْ سَبْيِهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ قَدِ اسْتَبَانَ عَدَاوَتُهُمْ فَاشْتَرِ مِنْهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ نَفَرُوا وَ ظَلَمُوا فَلَا تَبْتَعْ مِنْ سَبْيِهِمْ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ سَبْيِ الدَّيْلَمِ يَسْرِقُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ يُ

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the enemy people who make peace, then breach it because justice was not practiced with them; if it is permissible to buy their captives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they are open enemies you can buy but if they are exiled and treated unjustly, then do not buy their captives.’ I asked hi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ الرُّومَ يُغِيرُونَ عَلَى الصَّقَالِبَةِ[2] فَيَسْرِقُونَ أَوْلَادَهُمْ مِنَ الْجَوَارِي وَ الْغِلْمَانِ فَيَعْمِدُونَ إِلَى الْغِلْمَانِ فَيَخْصُونَهُمْ‌[3] ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُونَ بِهِمْ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ إِلَى‌ التُّجَّارِ فَمَا تَرَى فِي شِرَائِهِمْ وَ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ سُرِقُوا وَ إِنَّمَا أَغَارُوا عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَرْبٍ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِشِرَائ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about Romans who invade al-Saqalibah (a people who lived between Bulgaria and Constantinople (Istanbul)), steal their children, slave-girls and slave-boys, then castrate the slave-boys, then send them to Baghdad for the merchants. What do you say about them and we know they are stole

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَقِيقِ أَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ أَشْتَرِي مِنْهُمْ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ اشْتَرِ إِذَا أَقَرُّوا لَهُمْ بِالرِّقِّ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the slaves of the taxpayers; if I can buy from them. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can buy them if they certify their slavery.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً بِثَمَنٍ مُسَمًّى ثُمَّ بَاعَهَا فَرَبِحَ فِيهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْقُدَ صَاحِبَهَا الَّذِي هِيَ لَهُ فَأَتَاهُ صَاحِبُهَا يَتَقَاضَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَنْقُدْ مَالَهُ فَقَالَ صَاحِبُ الْجَارِيَةِ لِلَّذِينَ بَاعَهُمْ اكْفُونِي غَرِيمِي هَذَا وَ الَّذِي رَبِحْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَهُوَ لَكُمْ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave-girl for a certain price, then sells her (on credit) and makes a profit before paying the owner. The owner comes and demands payment but he does not pay. The owner says to those who have bought her to pay him what th

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فِي وَلِيدَةٍ بَاعَهَا ابْنُ سَيِّدِهَا وَ أَبُوهُ غَائِبٌ فَاسْتَوْلَدَهَا الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهَا فَوَلَدَتْ مِنْهُ غُلَاماً ثُمَّ جَاءَ سَيِّدُهَا الْأَوَّلُ فَخَاصَمَ سَيِّدَهَا الْآخَرَ فَقَالَ وَلِيدَتِي بَاعَهَا ابْنِي بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي فَقَالَ الْحُكْمُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ وَلِيدَتَهُ وَ ابْنَهَا فَنَاشَدَهُ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ خُذِ ابْنَهُ الَّذِي بَاعَكَ الْوَلِيدَةَ حَتَّى

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), issued a judgment in the case of a slave-girl who is the mother of a child who is sold by the son of her master in the absence of his father. The buyer made her to become pregnant and a boy was born. Then her first master came and disputed the second master, s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَدْخُلُ السُّوقَ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَشْتَرِيَ جَارِيَةً فَتَقُولُ لِي إِنِّي حُرَّةٌ فَقَالَ اشْتَرِهَا إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ لَهَا بَيِّنَةٌ.

‘You can buy her unless she presents proof of her freedom.’”

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ وَ مَعَهُ ابْنٌ لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تِجَارَةُ ابْنِكَ فَقَالَ التَّنَخُّسُ‌[2] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا تَشْتَرِيَنَّ شَيْناً وَ لَا عَيْباً[3] وَ إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ رَأْساً فَلَا تُرِيَنَّ ثَمَنَهُ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ فَمَا مِنْ رَأْسٍ رَأَى ثَمَنَهُ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ فَأَفْلَحَ وَ إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ رَأ

“Once I was sitting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came in with his son. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘What kind of business does your son do?’ He replied, ‘He sells slaves.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘You must not buy what is defective physically or morally. When you buy a head, you must not show its price

مَنْ نَظَرَ إِلَى ثَمَنِهِ وَ هُوَ يُوزَنُ لَمْ يُفْلِحْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who looks at his own price when he is weighed, he does not succeed.’”