The Book of Commerce

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ شَارَكَ رَجُلًا فِي جَارِيَةٍ لَهُ وَ قَالَ إِنْ رَبِحْنَا فِيهَا فَلَكَ نِصْفُ الرِّبْحِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ وَضِيعَةٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لَا أَرَى بِهَذَا بَأْساً إِذَا طَابَتْ نَفْسُ صَاحِبِ الْجَارِيَةِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who shares a slave-girl with another man and says, ‘If we made profit half is for you, if it is a loss then there is nothing on you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not see anything unlawful in it if the owner of the slave-girl agrees without compulsion.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الشَّرْطِ فِي الْإِمَاءِ أَلَّا تُبَاعَ وَ لَا تُورَثَ وَ لَا تُوهَبَ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ غَيْرَ الْمِيرَاثِ فَإِنَّهَا تُورَثُ وَ كُلُّ شَرْطٍ خَالَفَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ[5].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of slave- girls and conditions that say, ‘She must not be sold or transferred in inheritance or given as gift.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful except inheritance; she is inherited. Any condition against the book of Allah is rejected.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا شَابُّ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تُعَالِجُ فَقُلْتُ الرَّقِيقَ فَقَالَ أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا لَا تَشْتَرِيَنَّ شَيْناً وَ لَا عَيْباً وَ اسْتَوْثِقْ مِنَ الْعُهْدَةِ[6].

‘It is slaves.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I recommend you so keep my recommendations safe. You must not buy physically or morally defective ones. You must make the guarantees strong and firm.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ لَهُ مَالٌ لِمَنْ مَالُهُ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلِمَ الْبَائِعُ أَنَّ لَهُ مَالًا فَهُوَ لِلْمُشْتَرِي وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلِمَ فَهُوَ لِلْبَائِعِ‌[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave who owns assets; to whom such assets belong? He (the Imam) said, Tf the seller knows that the slave owns assets then such assets belong to the buyer but if he does not know then they belong to the seller.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَاعَ مَمْلُوكاً فَوَجَدَ لَهُ مَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ الْمَالُ لِلْبَائِعِ إِنَّمَا بَاعَ نَفْسَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّ مَا كَانَ لَهُ مِنْ مَالٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ فَهُوَ لَهُ.

“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 sells a slave and finds out that the slave owns assets. He (the Imam) said, ‘Such assets belong to the seller; he has sold the slave’s person unless it is a condition in the contract of sale that says that

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ مَالَهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَيَكُونُ مَالُ الْمَمْلُوكِ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا اشْتَرَاهُ بِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave and his assets. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if the assets of the slave are more than what is paid to buy the slave?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً مُدْرِكَةً فَلَمْ تَحِضْ عِنْدَهُ حَتَّى مَضَى لَهَا سِتَّةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَ لَيْسَ بِهَا حَمْلٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مِثْلُهَا تَحِيضُ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ ذَلِكَ مِنْ كِبَرٍ فَهَذَا عَيْبٌ تُرَدُّ مِنْهُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a slave- girl who is well aware but does not experience Hayd (menses) for six month now with him and she is not pregnant. He (the Imam) said, Tf others similar to her experience and it is not because of old age, it is a defect, because of

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً حُبْلَى وَ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِحَبَلِهَا فَوَطِئَهَا قَالَ يَرُدُّهَا عَلَى الَّذِي ابْتَاعَهَا مِنْهُ وَ يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِ نِصْفُ عُشْرِ قِيمَتِهَا لِنِكَاحِهِ إِيَّاهَا وَ قَدْ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع لَا تُرَدُّ الَّتِي لَيْسَتْ بِحُبْلَى إِذَا وَطِئَهَا صَاحِبُهَا وَ يُوضَعُ عَنْهُ مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا بِقَدْرِ عَيْبٍ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهَا[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a pregnant slave-girl and does not know that she is pregnant so he does sexual intercourse. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must return to the one from whom he has purchased and he must return half of one-tenth of her price because o

لَا تُرَدُّ الَّتِي لَيْسَتْ بِحُبْلَى إِذَا وَطِئَهَا صَاحِبُهَا وَ لَهُ أَرْشُ الْعَيْبِ وَ تُرَدُّ الْحُبْلَى وَ تُرَدُّ مَعَهَا نِصْفُ عُشُرِ قِيمَتِهَا وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى إِنْ كَانَتْ بِكْراً فَعُشُرُ ثَمَنِهَا وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِكْراً فَنِصْفُ عُشُرِ ثَمَنِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A non-pregnant slave-girl, after the owner does sexual intercourse cannot be returned but he can demand for loss because of defect. A pregnant one must be returned with half of one-tenth of her price.’” In another Hadith it is said that if she is virgin it is one- tenth of her price a

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً فَوَطِئَهَا ثُمَّ وَجَدَ فِيهَا عَيْباً قَالَ تُقَوَّمُ وَ هِيَ صَحِيحَةٌ وَ تُقَوَّمُ وَ بِهَا الدَّاءُ ثُمَّ يَرُدُّ الْبَائِعُ عَلَى الْمُبْتَاعِ فَضْلَ مَا بَيْنَ الصِّحَّةِ وَ الدَّاءِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, in the case of a man who bought a slave-girl and did sexual intercourse with her, then found defect in her, issued a judgment that said, ‘She must be evaluated as perfect as well as defective; then the seller must refund the difference of the two prices to the bu

إِنْ وَجَدَ فِيهَا عَيْباً فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرُدَّهَا وَ لَكِنْ يَرُدُّ عَلَيْهِ بِقِيمَةِ مَا نَقَصَهَا الْعَيْبُ قَالَ قُلْتُ هَذَا قَوْلُ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“About the case of a man who bought a slave-girl and did sexual intercourse, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, Tf he found a defect, he could not return her but ask for what the defect had reduced from her price.’ I then asked, ‘Is this how Ali (a.s.), had judged?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, this is the way Ali (a.s.), h

لَا يَرُدُّهَا عَلَى صَاحِبِهَا وَ لَكِنْ تُقَوَّمُ مَا بَيْنَ الْعَيْبِ وَ الصِّحَّةِ فَيُرَدُّ عَلَى الْمُبْتَاعِ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ لَهَا أَجْراً.

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, was asked about the case of a man who buys a slave-girl, then does sexual intercourse, then finds defect in her, and he (the Imam) said, ‘She cannot be returned to her owner, but she can be evaluated as perfect and defective, and the difference of

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع لَا يَرُدُّ الَّتِي لَيْسَتْ بِحُبْلَى إِذَا وَطِئَهَا وَ كَانَ يَضَعُ لَهُ مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا بِقَدْرِ عَيْبِهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would not return a non-pregnant slave-girl after doing sexual intercourse but he (the Imam) would deduct from her price proportionate to the cost of the defect.’”

يَرُدُّهَا وَ يَرُدُّ مَعَهَا شَيْئاً[1].

“About the case of a man who buys a slave-girl, then does sexual intercourse, then finds her to be pregnant, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He must return her with something.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الْجَارِيَةَ الْحُبْلَى فَيَنْكِحُهَا وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ قَالَ يَرُدُّهَا وَ يَكْسُوهَا.

“About the case of a man who buys a pregnant slave-girl and does sexual intercourse with her when he did not know, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘He must return her and clothe her.’”

يَأْخُذُ الْجَارِيَةَ صَاحِبُهَا وَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّجُلُ وَلَدَهُ بِقِيمَتِهِ.

“About the case of a man who buys a slave-girl and makes her to give birth, then finds her to be stolen, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Her owner takes the slave-girl and the man takes the child.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَاعَ جَارِيَةً عَلَى أَنَّهَا بِكْرٌ فَلَمْ يَجِدْهَا عَلَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا تُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا يُوجَبُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّهُ يَكُونُ يَذْهَبُ فِي حَالِ مَرَضٍ أَوْ أَمْرٍ يُصِيبُهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who sells a slave-girl as virgin but she is not found virgin. He (the Imam) said, ‘He cannot return and there is nothing on him, it (virginity) may go away because of illness or something that affects it.’”

قَالَ رُوِيَ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى‌ أَنَّهُ قَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ خَصْماً لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا بَاعَنِي هَذِهِ الْجَارِيَةَ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ عَلَى رَكَبِهَا[2] حِينَ كَشَفْتُهَا شَعْراً وَ زَعَمَتْ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهَا قَطُّ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى إِنَّ النَّاسَ لَيَحْتَالُونَ لِهَذَا بِالْحِيَلِ حَتَّى يَذْهَبُوا بِهِ فَمَا الَّذِي كَرِهْتَ قَالَ أَيُّهَا الْقَاضِي إِنْ كَانَ عَيْباً فَاقْ

a man came to him claiming a slave-girl was sold to him, but he didn't find any pubic hair on her when he uncovered her, and she claimed she never had any. Ibn Abi Layla said to him, "People often deceive using such tricks until they get away with it. What is it that you disliked?". The man said, "Oh Qadhi (judge), if

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْجَارِيَةَ مِنَ السُّوقِ فَيُولِدُهَا ثُمَّ يَجِي‌ءُ رَجُلٌ فَيُقِيمُ الْبَيِّنَةَ عَلَى أَنَّهَا جَارِيَتُهُ لَمْ تُبَعْ وَ لَمْ تُوهَبْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي يَرُدُّ إِلَيْهِ جَارِيَتَهُ وَ يُعَوِّضُهُ مِمَّا انْتَفَعَ قَالَ كَأَنَّهُ مَعْنَاهُ قِيمَةُ الْوَلَدِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave-girl from the market and makes her to give birth. Then a man comes with proof that she is his slave-girl who is not sold or given as gift to anyone. He (the Imam) said, ’He must return his slave-girl to him along with the benefits he has received

يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِ فَضْلُ الْقِيمَةِ إِذَا عُلِمَ أَنَّهُ صَادِقٌ.

“In the case of a man who buys a slave-girl that she is said to be a virgin but he does not find her to be as such, he (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ’He (the seller) must return the difference of the price if he can verify that what he says is true.’”

تُرَدُّ الْجَارِيَةُ مِنْ أَرْبَعِ خِصَالٍ مِنَ الْجُنُونِ وَ الْجُذَامِ وَ الْبَرَصِ وَ الْقَرَنِ الْحَدَبَةِ إِلَّا أَنَّهَا تَكُونُ فِي الصَّدْرِ تُدْخِلُ الظَّهْرَ وَ تُخْرِجُ الصَّدْرَ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘A slave-girl can be returned because of four issues: Madness, leprosy, Bars (leprosy), al-Qarn (something in the vagina that prevents sexual intercourse) and al-Hadbah (convexity) which makes the chest go in and the back come out.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْخِيَارُ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ لِلْمُشْتَرِي وَ فِي غَيْرِ الْحَيَوَانِ أَنْ يَتَفَرَّقَا وَ أَحْدَاثُ السَّنَةِ تُرَدُّ بَعْدَ السَّنَةِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا أَحْدَاثُ السَّنَةِ قَالَ الْجُنُونُ وَ الْجُذَامُ‌ وَ الْبَرَصُ وَ الْقَرَنُ فَمَنِ اشْتَرَى فَحَدَثَ فِيهِ هَذِهِ الْأَحْدَاثُ فَالْحُكْمُ أَنْ يَرُدَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ إِلَى تَمَامِ السَّنَةِ مِنْ يَوْمَ اشْتَرَاهُ.

“I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘The choice to revoke a contract of sale in the case of animals is for three days in favor of the buyer and in non-animal it is as long as they have not departed each other. The happenings of the year are returned after the year.’ I asked, ‘What is happening of the year?’ He (the

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ يُرَدُّ الْمَمْلُوكُ مِنْ أَحْدَاثِ السَّنَةِ مِنَ الْجُنُونِ وَ الْجُذَامِ وَ الْبَرَصِ فَقُلْنَا كَيْفَ يُرَدُّ مِنْ أَحْدَاثِ السَّنَةِ قَالَ هَذَا أَوَّلُ السَّنَةِ فَإِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ مَمْلُوكاً بِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالِ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ رَدَدْتَهُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ فَالْإِبَاقُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَيْسَ الْإِبَاقُ مِنْ

“I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘Slaves, because of the happenings of the year are returned, such as madness, leprosy and Bars (leprosy).’ We then asked, ‘How is the return because of the happenings of the year?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is the beginning of the year. If you buy a slave with any of these things

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى مِنْ رَجُلٍ عَبْداً وَ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ عَبْدَانِ فَقَالَ لِلْمُشْتَرِي اذْهَبْ بِهِمَا فَاخْتَرْ أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتَ وَ رُدَّ الْآخَرَ وَ قَدْ قَبَضَ الْمَالَ فَذَهَبَ بِهِمَا الْمُشْتَرِي فَأَبَقَ أَحَدُهُمَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ قَالَ لِيَرُدَّ الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ مِنْهُمَا وَ يَقْبِضُ نِصْفَ الثَّمَنِ مِمَّا أَعْطَى مِنَ الْبَيِّعِ وَ يَذْهَبُ فِي طَلَبِ الْغُلَامِ فَإِنْ وَجَدَ اخْتَارَ أَيَّهُ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who buys a slave from another man who had two slaves and he says to the buyer, Take both of them then choose whichever you like and return the other’ and he has received payment. The buyer takes both of them but one of them runs away from the location of the buye

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رِجَالٍ اشْتَرَكُوا فِي أَمَةٍ فَائْتَمَنُوا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى أَنْ تَكُونَ الْأَمَةُ عِنْدَهُ فَوَطِئَهَا قَالَ يُدْرَأُ عَنْهُ مِنَ الْحَدِّ بِقَدْرِ مَا لَهُ فِيهَا مِنَ النَّقْدِ وَ يُضْرَبُ بِقَدْرِ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ فِيهَا وَ تُقَوَّمُ الْأَمَةُ عَلَيْهِ بِقِيمَةٍ وَ يُلْزَمُهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الْقِيمَةُ أَقَلَّ مِنَ الثَّمَنِ الَّذِي اشْتُرِيَتْ بِهِ الْجَارِيَةُ أُلْزِمَ ثَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of several men who share a slave-girl who is then entrusted to one of them and he does sexual intercourse with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘His punishment is reduced proportionate to the amount of his share in the ownership of the slave-girl in t

فِي رَجُلَيْنِ مَمْلُوكَيْنِ مُفَوَّضٍ إِلَيْهِمَا يَشْتَرِيَانِ وَ يَبِيعَانِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمَا فَكَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا كَلَامٌ فَخَرَجَ هَذَا يَعْدُو إِلَى مَوْلَى هَذَا وَ هَذَا إِلَى مَوْلَى هَذَا وَ هُمَا فِي الْقُوَّةِ سَوَاءٌ فَاشْتَرَى هَذَا مِنْ مَوْلَى هَذَا الْعَبْدِ وَ ذَهَبَ هَذَا فَاشْتَرَى مِنْ مَوْلَى هَذَا الْعَبْدِ الْآخَرَ وَ انْصَرَفَا إِلَى مَكَانِهِمَا وَ تَشَبَّثَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا بِصَاحِبِهِ

“About the case of two slaves who belong to two people and each is authorized to buy and sell with their properties. The two slaves disagree on something and each one runs to the other’s owner, both of equal physical strength, and buy the other slave from his master. They return to their place each with the claim of bu

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أُتِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِسَبْيٍ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ فَلَمَّا بَلَغُوا الْجُحْفَةَ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَاتُهُمْ فَبَاعُوا جَارِيَةً مِنَ السَّبْيِ كَانَتْ أُمُّهَا مَعَهُمْ فَلَمَّا قَدِمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص سَمِعَ بُكَاءَهَا فَقَالَ مَا هَذِهِ الْبُكَاءُ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ احْتَجْنَا إِلَى نَفَقَةٍ فَبِعْنَا ابْنَتَهَا فَبَعَثَ بِثَمَنِهَا فَأُتِيَ بِهَا وَ قَالَ بِيعُوهُم

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Once captives were brought to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, from Yemen. When they arrived at al-Juhfah, their supplies depleted and they sold one girl from the captives whose mother was with

سَأَلْتُهُ‌ عَنْ أَخَوَيْنِ مَمْلُوكَيْنِ هَلْ يُفَرَّقُ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ وَلَدِهَا قَالَ لَا هُوَ حَرَامٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يُرِيدُوا ذَلِكَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of two slaves who are brothers; if they can be separated from each other or a woman slave, if she can be separated from her children. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not lawful unless they want it.’”

فَذَهَبَ لِتَقُومَ فِي بَعْضِ الْحَاجَةِ فَقَالَتْ يَا أُمَّاهْ فَقَالَ لَهَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ لَكِ أُمٌّ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَرُدَّتْ فَقَالَ مَا آمَنْتُ لَوْ حَبَسْتُهَا أَنْ أَرَى فِي وُلْدِي مَا أَكْرَهُ.

“I once bought a slave-girl from al-Kufah for abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He then went so she can do a certain task. She said, ‘O mother!’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘Do you have a mother?’ She replied, ‘Yes, I have a mother.’ He (the Imam) commanded to return her and said, ‘On keeping her I did not feel safe from seeing

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْجَارِيَةُ الصَّغِيرَةُ يَشْتَرِيهَا الرَّجُلُ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ قَدِ اسْتَغْنَتْ عَنْ أَبَوَيْهَا فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one can buy a small slave-girl. He (the Imam) said, ‘If she is independent of her parents, it is not unlawful.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الْغُلَامَ أَوِ الْجَارِيَةَ وَ لَهُ أَخٌ أَوْ أُخْتٌ أَوْ أَبٌ أَوْ أُمٌّ بِمِصْرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْصَارِ قَالَ لَا يُخْرِجْهُ إِلَى مِصْرٍ آخَرَ إِنْ كَانَ صَغِيراً وَ لَا يَشْتَرِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ أُمٌّ فَطَابَتْ نَفْسُهَا وَ نَفْسُهُ فَاشْتَرِهِ إِنْ شِئْتَ.

“Regarding a man who buys a slave-girl or a slave boy who has a brother or sister, or a father or mother in a city of the cities, he must not take such slave out of that city to another city if the slave is a minor, and must not buy such slaves but if the slave has a mother who agrees as well as the slave, then you can

قَالَ غُلَامٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي كُنْتُ قُلْتُ لِمَوْلَايَ بِعْنِي بِسَبْعِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ أَنَا أُعْطِيكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ كَانَ لَكَ يَوْمَ شَرَطْتَ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَعَلَيْكَ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

‘I had said to my master, “Sell me for seven hundred dirham, I pay you three hundred dirham.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘If you owned something on the day you made the condition then you must pay, and if you did not have anything on that day, there is nothing on you.’”

قَالَ غُلَامٌ سِنْدِيٌّ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي قُلْتُ لِمَوْلَايَ بِعْنِي بِسَبْعِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ أَنَا أُعْطِيكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ كَانَ يَوْمَ شَرَطْتَ لَكَ مَالٌ فَعَلَيْكَ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مَالٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

‘I said to my master, “Sell me for seven hundred dirham, I pay you three hundred dirham.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘If you owned something on the day you made the condition then you must pay, and if you did not have anything on that day there is nothing on you.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ أَسْلَمَ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مَعْلُومٍ مِنَ الرَّقِيقِ فَأَعْطَاهُ دُونَ شَرْطِهِ وَ فَوْقَهُ بِطِيبَةِ أَنْفُسٍ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked him (the Imam) if I can make an advance payment for known years or something known like slaves and I pay more or less than his stipulation with consent and happiness. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ أَعْطَى رَجُلًا وَرِقاً فِي وَصِيفٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَقَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ لَا نَجِدُ لَكَ وَصِيفاً[1] خُذْ مِنِّي قِيمَةَ وَصِيفِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَرِقاً قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا يَأْخُذُ إِلَّا وَصِيفَهُ أَوْ وَرِقَهُ الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ لَا يَزْدَادُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, about the case of a man who gave a note to another man for a servant for an appointed time and his party said, ‘I could not find a servant for you, you take from me the cost of your servant today in the form of the value.’ He (’Amir al- Mu’minin) has said, ‘He can re

لَا بَأْسَ بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ إِذَا وُصِفَتْ أَسْنَانُهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Advance payment to buy an animal is not unlawful if the age of animals is clearly described.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ إِذَا سَمَّيْتَ شَيْئاً مَعْلُوماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Advance payment to buy an animals is not unlawful if it (the animal) is clearly made known.’”

أَنَّ أَبَاهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَرَى بَأْساً بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مَعْلُومٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that his father would not consider advance payment to buy an animal unlawful for a clearly known merchandise and time.”

أَ لَيْسَ يُسْلِمُ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[1].

“About the case of a man who makes advance payment for sheep of a certain age for an appointed time and the party gives him four years old in place of three years old, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘Is it not true that he has made advance payment for (animals of) known age and on an appointed time? I replied, ‘Yes, tha

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي وُصَفَاءِ أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ وَ لَوْنٍ مَعْلُومٍ ثُمَّ يُعْطِي دُونَ شَرْطِهِ أَوْ فَوْقَهُ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ عَنْ طِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْكَ وَ مِنْهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who made an advance payment for things of clearly described age and color; then the party gave him more or less than the set condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is with fine consent it is not unlawful.’”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي الْغَنَمِ ثُنْيَانٍ وَ جُذْعَانٍ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْغَنَمُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ صَاحِبُ الْغَنَمِ نِصْفَهَا أَوْ ثُلُثَهَا أَوْ ثُلُثَيْهَا وَ يَأْخُذُوا رَأْسَ مَالِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ يَأْخُذُوا دُونَ شَرْطِهِمْ وَ لَا يَأْخُذُونَ فَوْقَ شَرْطِهِمْ وَ الْأَكْسِيَةُ أ

“Once abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) was asked about the case of a man who made an advanced payment to buy sheep of three and less than three years old, and others for an appointed time. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful if the one who must provide sheep cannot have all that he is responsible for; the buyer can have half,

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَسْلَمَ فِي وُصَفَاءِ أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ وَ غَيْرِ مَعْلُومَةٍ ثُمَّ يُعْطِي دُونَ شَرْطِهِ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْكَ وَ مِنْهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِفُ فِي الْغَنَمِ الثُّنْيَانَ وَ الْجُذْعَانَ وَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَيْهِ فَسُئِلَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made an advance payment for things of clearly described age and appointed time and not clearly described ages; then he was given below the condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is with fine consent from him and from you it is not

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْجُلُودَ مِنَ الْقَصَّابِ يُعْطِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ شَيْئاً مَعْلُوماً قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who bought skins from the butcher to give him every day something clearly known. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ فَقَالَ أَسْنَانٌ مَعْلُومَةٌ وَ أَسْنَانٌ مَعْدُودَةٌ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

‘The age must be clearly known and the numbers must be made known for the known time, then it is not unlawful.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّلَفِ فِي اللَّحْمِ قَالَ لَا تَقْرَبَنَّهُ فَإِنَّهُ يُعْطِيكَ مَرَّةً السَّمِينَ وَ مَرَّةً التَّاوِيَ وَ مَرَّةً الْمَهْزُولَ اشْتَرِهِ مُعَايَنَةً يَداً بِيَدٍ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّلَفِ فِي رَوَايَا الْمَاءِ قَالَ لَا تَقْرَبْهَا فَإِنَّهُ يُعْطِيكَ مَرَّةً نَاقِصَةً وَ مَرَّةً كَامِلَةً وَ لَكِنْ اشْتَرِهِ مُعَايَنَةً وَ هُوَ أَسْلَمُ لَكَ وَ لَهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of advance payment for meat. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not go close to it because one time he gives you fatty, one time what is about to become spoilled and one time he gives you boney. Buy with examination and in hand in hand manner.’ I then asked about advance payme

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ غَنَمٌ يَحْلُبُهَا لَهَا أَلْبَانٌ كَثِيرَةٌ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُ الْخَمْسَمِائَةِ رِطْلٍ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْمِائَةَ رِطْلٍ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَرْطَالًا حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَ مَا يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهَذَا وَ نَحْوِهِ‌[2].

‘He has sheep that milks and the milk is abundant every day, if one can buy from him five hundred Ritl (a certain unit of measurement) or more and every one hundred Ritl for so and so much dirham then every day take certain Ritl until the deal is complete.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful (for this) and similar

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ إِنَّ أَخِي يَخْتَلِفُ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ يَجْلِبُ الْغَنَمَ فَيُسْلِمُ فِي الْغَنَمِ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَيُعْطِي الرَّبَاعَ مَكَانَ الثَّنِيِّ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

‘My brother comes from and goes to the mountains, milks sheep of known age for an appointed time; then he is given four years old in place of three years old.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is it with fine consent of his party?’ he replied, ‘Yes, it is so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي مِائَةَ شَاةٍ عَلَى أَنْ يُبْدِلَ مِنْهَا كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ لَا يَجُوزُ.

‘It is not permissible and it is not lawful. 5 ”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْتَرِي الْغَنَمَ أَوْ يَشْتَرِي الْغَنَمَ جَمَاعَةٌ ثُمَّ تُدْخَلُ دَاراً ثُمَّ يَقُومُ رَجُلٌ عَلَى الْبَابِ فَيَعُدُّ وَاحِداً وَ اثْنَيْنِ وَ ثَلَاثَةً وَ أَرْبَعَةً وَ خَمْسَةً ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ السَّهْمَ‌[2] قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ هَذَا إِنَّمَا يَصْلُحُ السِّهَامُ إِذَا عُدِلَتِ الْقِسْمَةُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of my buying sheep or a group’s buying sheep saying, ‘They enter a house, then a man stands at the door counts one, two, three, four, and five, then calls it one share.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not valid. Shares are valid only when they are

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَشْتَرِي سِهَامَ الْقَصَّابِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ السَّهْمُ فَقَالَ لَا يَشْتَرِي شَيْئاً حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ مِنْ أَيْنَ يَخْرُجُ السَّهْمُ فَإِنِ اشْتَرَى شَيْئاً فَهُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ إِذَا خَرَجَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who bought the shares of butchers before the shares were taken out. He (the Imam) said, ‘Nothing can be purchased until it is known where the shares come. If he buys like this he has the choice to buy or not to buy it.’”