The Book of Commerce

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الرَّهْنُ فَلَا يَدْرِي لِمَنْ هُوَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ لَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَبِيعَهُ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ صَاحِبُهُ قُلْتُ لَا يَدْرِي لِمَنْ هُوَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ فِيهِ فَضْلٌ أَوْ نُقْصَانٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ فَضْلٌ أَوْ نُقْصَانٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ نُقْصَانٌ فَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ يَبِيعُهُ فَيُؤْجَرُ فِيمَا نَقَصَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ ف

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the case of a man who had al-Rahn (security deposit) with him and did not know to whom it belonged. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like his selling it until the owner comes.’ I said, ‘He does not know who the owner is.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘Is there any increase or decrease

لَا حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ [صَاحِبُهُ‌].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who held al-Rahn (security-deposit) for an unspecified time and his party disappeared; if he had a time limit within which he could sell al-Rahn (security deposit). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, until his party comes.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّهْنِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ مَالِ الْمُرْتَهِنِ فَهَلَكَ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ الْفَضْلَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الرَّهْنِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَقَلَّ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَهَلَكَ الرَّهْنُ أَدَّى إِلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ فَضْلَ مَالِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الرَّهْنُ سَوَاءً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Rahn (security deposit). He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is more than what mortgagee has provided and it is destroyed, the difference must be paid to the mortgager; but if it is less and is destroyed, the one who has the extra must pay the difference to

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ عَلِيٍّ ع فِي الرَّهْنِ يَتَرَادَّانِ الْفَضْلَ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَتَرَادَّانِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ الرَّهْنُ أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا رُهِنَ بِهِ ثُمَّ عَطِبَ‌[2] رَدَّ الْمُرْتَهِنُ الْفَضْلَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَا يَسْوَى رَدَّ الرَّاهِنُ مَا نَقَصَ مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُرْتَهِنِ قَالَ وَ كَذَلِكَ كَانَ قَوْلُ عَلِيٍّ ع فِي الْحَيَوَانِ وَ غَيْرِ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the words of Ali (a.s.), about al-Rahn (security deposit and mortgage) ‘both sides return the extra’. He (the Imam) said, ‘Ali (a.s.), indeed would say it.’ I then asked, ‘How both sides return?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If what is mortgaged is more than the amount the mortgage has pr

فِي الرَّهْنِ إِذَا ضَاعَ مِنْ عِنْدِ الْمُرْتَهِنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَسْتَهْلِكَهُ رَجَعَ فِي حَقِّهِ عَلَى الرَّاهِنِ فَأَخَذَهُ فَإِنِ اسْتَهْلَكَهُ تَرَادَّ الْفَضْلُ بَيْنَهُمَا.

“About al-Rahn (security deposit and mortgage), abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If loss takes place on the side of mortgagee without willingly consuming it, he asks the mortgager to provide compensation for his loss; but if he consumes it then both sides exchange the difference to each other.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَرْهَنُ الرَّهْنَ بِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ هُوَ يُسَاوِي ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَيَهْلِكُ أَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَرُدَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ مِائَتَيْ دِرْهَمٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ لِأَنَّهُ أَخَذَ رَهْناً فِيهِ فَضْلٌ وَ ضَيَّعَهُ قُلْتُ فَهَلَكَ نِصْفُ الرَّهْنِ قَالَ عَلَى حِسَابِ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَيَتَرَادَّانِ الْفَضْلَ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who made an al-Rahn (security deposit and mortgage) deal which is for one hundred dirham with a value of three hundred dirham and it was consumed; if he had to pay two hundred dirham to the other party. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, because he has taken al

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع الرَّجُلُ يَرْهَنُ الْغُلَامَ وَ الدَّارَ فَتُصِيبُهُ الْآفَةُ عَلَى مَنْ يَكُونُ قَالَ عَلَى مَوْلَاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ قَتَلَ قَتِيلًا عَلَى مَنْ يَكُونُ‌ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِي عُنُقِ الْعَبْدِ قَالَ أَ لَا تَرَى فَلِمَ يَذْهَبُ مَالُ هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ كَانَ ثَمَنُهُ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ فَزَادَ وَ بَلَغَ مِائَتَيْ دِينَارٍ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَكُونُ قُلْتُ لِمَوْلَاهُ قَا

“I once asked abu Ibrahim, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who mortgaged a slave and the house and they suffered loss; if it was compensated by a particular party. He (the Imam) said, ‘His master is responsible.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Suppose if someone is murdered who is responsible?’ I replied, ‘It is on

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَرْهَنُ عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ رَهْناً فَيُصِيبُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَوْ ضَاعَ قَالَ يَرْجِعُ بِمَالِهِ عَلَيْهِ.

“About the case of a man who takes mortgage from another man, then it suffers loss or is lost. He (the Imam), Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘He can demand what is for him from the other party.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَرْهَنُ الْعَبْدَ أَوِ الثَّوْبَ أَوِ الْحُلِيَّ أَوْ مَتَاعاً مِنْ مَتَاعِ الْبَيْتِ فَيَقُولُ صَاحِبُ الْمَتَاعِ لِلْمُرْتَهِنِ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِنْ لُبْسِ هَذَا الثَّوْبِ فَالْبَسِ الثَّوْبَ وَ انْتَفِعْ بِالْمَتَاعِ وَ اسْتَخْدِمِ الْخَادِمَ قَالَ هُوَ لَهُ حَلَالٌ إِذَا أَحَلَّهُ وَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَفْعَلَ قُلْتُ فَارْتَهَنَ دَاراً لَهَا غَلَّةٌ[1] لِمَنِ الْغَلّ

“I once asked abu Ibrahim, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who left a slave, or clothes, or jewelries, or goods of the household as al-Rahn (security deposit) with someone, then said to mortgagee, ‘You have permission to wear the clothes so wear them and benefit from the goods and use the services of the serva

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فِي كُلِّ رَهْنٍ لَهُ غَلَّةٌ أَنَّ غَلَّتَهُ تُحْسَبُ لِصَاحِبِ الرَّهْنِ مِمَّا عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin had issued a judgment that said, ‘Whoever leaves an income-producing al-Rahn (security deposit), such income is counted in favor of the owner of al-Rahn (security deposit) against what he owes.’”

إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ: فِي الْأَرْضِ الْبُورِ[2] يَرْتَهِنُهَا الرَّجُلُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا ثَمَرَةٌ فَزَرَعَهَا وَ أَنْفَقَ عَلَيْهَا مَالَهُ إِنَّهُ يَحْتَسِبُ لَهُ نَفَقَتَهُ وَ عَمَلَهُ خَالِصاً ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ نَصِيبَ الْأَرْضِ فَيَحْسُبُهُ مِنْ مَالِهِ الَّذِي ارْتَهَنَ بِهِ الْأَرْضَ حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَ مَالَهُ فَإِذَا اسْتَوْفَى مَالَهُ فَلْيَدْفَعِ الْأَرْضَ إِلَى صَاحِبِهَا.

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu Najran from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from Muhammad ibn al-Qays who has said the following: Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one holds a piece of barren land as al-Rahn (security deposit) which has no fruits and he farms it and incurs

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ رَهَنَ جَارِيَتَهُ عِنْدَ قَوْمٍ أَ يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَطَأَهَا قَالَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ارْتَهَنُوهَا يَحُولُونَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ قَدَرَ عَلَيْهَا خَالِياً قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا أَرَى هَذَا عَلَيْهِ حَرَاماً[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who left his slave-girl as al-Rahn (security deposit) with a people if it was lawful for him to do sexual intercourse with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Those who hold her as al-Rahn (security deposit) will bar him.’ I then asked, ‘What h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَأْخُذُ الدَّابَّةَ وَ الْبَعِيرَ رَهْناً بِمَالِهِ أَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرْكَبَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ يَعْلِفُهُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَرْكَبَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الَّذِي رَهَنَهُ عِنْدَهُ يَعْلِفُهُ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرْكَبَهُ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who held a stumper and camels as al-Rahn (security deposit) against his assets; if he could ride them. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he feeds them he can ride; but if the one who has left them as al-Rahn (security deposit) feeds them, then

لَهُ أَعِرْنِي الذَّهَبَ الَّذِي رَهَنْتُكَ عَارِيَّةً فَأَعَارَهُ فَهَلَكَ الرَّهْنُ عِنْدَهُ أَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ لِصَاحِبِ الْقَرْضِ فِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ هُوَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الرَّهْنِ الَّذِي رَهَنَهُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَهْلَكَهُ وَ لَيْسَ لِمَالِ هَذَا تَوًى‌[3].

“About the case of a man, who borrows one hundred dinars and leaves as al-Rahn (security deposit) jewelries worth one hundred dinars, then comes to al-Rahn (security deposit) holder and asks him to lend him the gold which he has with him. Al-Rahn (security deposit) holder lends it to him and it is destroyed; if he owes

إِذَا رُهِنْتَ عَبْداً أَوْ دَابَّةً فَمَاتَ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْكَ وَ إِنْ هَلَكَتِ الدَّابَّةُ أَوْ أَبَقَ الْغُلَامُ فَأَنْتَ ضَامِنٌ.

‘If you hold a slave or stumper as al-Rahn (security deposit) and they die; there is nothing upon you, but if the stumper is destroyed or the slave runs away you are responsible for it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ هَلَكَ أَخُوهُ وَ تَرَكَ صُنْدُوقاً فِيهِ رُهُونٌ بَعْضُهَا عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ صَاحِبِهِ وَ بِكَمْ هُوَ رُهِنَ وَ بَعْضُهَا لَا يُدْرَى لِمَنْ هُوَ وَ لَا بِكَمْ هُوَ رُهِنَ فَمَا تَرَى فِي هَذَا الَّذِي لَا يُعْرَفُ صَاحِبُهُ فَقَالَ هُوَ كَمَالِهِ.

about the case of a man whose brother had died and left a box in which there were al-Rahn (security deposit) goods, of which certain ones had the name of the owner on them and others did not have any names on them and for how much they were left as al- Rahn (security deposit), and what do you say about that with an unk

فَقَالَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ارْتَهَنُوهَا يَحُولُونَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَهَا قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ قَدَرَ عَلَيْهَا خَالِياً قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا أَرَى بِهِ بَأْساً[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who had left his slave-girl as al- Rahn (security deposit) with a people; if he could have sexual intercourse with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Those who hold her as al-Rahn (security deposit) bar him from reaching her.’ I asked, ‘What happens if he gets a chance? H

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ لِي عَلَيْهِ دَرَاهِمُ وَ كَانَتْ دَارُهُ رَهْناً فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَبِيعَهَا قَالَ أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ تُخْرِجَهُ مِنْ ظِلِّ رَأْسِهِ.

‘Do you, by Allah, have the intention to take the roof away from the top of his head?”’

سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَكُونُ لَهُ الدَّيْنُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ وَ مَعَهُ الرَّهْنُ أَ يَشْتَرِي الرَّهْنَ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

22. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Mansur ibn Hazim from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following: “Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man to whom another man owed a certain amount of debts. He held al-Rahn (security deposit) if he could buy al-Rahn (security depo

إِذَا اخْتَلَفَا فِي الرَّهْنِ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا رَهَنْتَهُ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ بِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ يُسْأَلُ صَاحِبُ الْأَلْفِ الْبَيِّنَةَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بَيِّنَةٌ حَلَفَ صَاحِبُ الْمِائَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الرَّهْنُ أَقَلَّ مِمَّا رُهِنَ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ وَ اخْتَلَفَا فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا هُوَ رَهْنٌ وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ هُوَ عِنْدَكَ وَدِيعَةٌ فَقَالَ يُسْأَلُ صَاحِبُ الْوَدِيعَةِ الْبَيِّن

“About the case of a dispute between the parties if one says that the amount of al-Rahn (security deposit) is one thousand dirham and the other says that it is one hundred dirham, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The one who claims it to be one thousand dirham is asked to present proof and testimony. If he fails to d

صَاحِبُ الرَّهْنِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ بِمِائَةٍ قَالَ الْبَيِّنَةُ عَلَى الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ الرَّهْنُ أَنَّهُ بِأَلْفٍ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بَيِّنَةٌ فَعَلَى الرَّاهِنِ الْيَمِينُ.

“It is the case of the parties of al-Rahn (security deposit) who dispute and there is no proof and testimony available for the parties involved. Al-Rahn (security deposit) holder claims it to be one thousand and the owner of al-Rahn (security deposit) claims it to be one hundred. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Rahn (

لِرَجُلٍ لِي عَلَيْكَ أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ لَا وَ لَكِنَّهَا وَدِيعَةٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْقَوْلُ قَوْلُ صَاحِبِ الْمَالِ مَعَ يَمِينِهِ.

“It is a case where one says that he is owed one thousand dirham and the other party says that it is Wadi‘ah (safe deposit). Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The words of the owner of the asset are accepted in addition to his taking oath.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ مَتَاعٍ فِي يَدِ رَجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا يَقُولُ اسْتَوْدَعْتُكَهُ وَ الْآخَرُ يَقُولُ هُوَ رَهْنٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ الْقَوْلُ قَوْلُ الَّذِي يَقُولُ أَنَّهُ رَهْنٌ عِنْدِي إِلَّا أَنْ يَأْتِيَ الَّذِي ادَّعَى أَنَّهُ أَوْدَعَهُ بِشُهُودٍ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of two men who disputed about an asset. One said that it was a Wadi ‘ah (safe deposit) and the other said that it was al-Rahn (security deposit). Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The words of one who says that it is al-Rahn (security deposit)

صَاحِبُ الْوَدِيعَةِ وَ الْبِضَاعَةِ مُؤْتَمَنَانِ وَ قَالَ إِذَا هَلَكَتِ الْعَارِيَّةُ عِنْدَ الْمُسْتَعِيرِ لَمْ يَضْمَنْهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدِ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ إِذَا كَانَ مُسْلِماً عَدْلًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ ضَمَانٌ.

“About the case of a man who claims that Wadi‘ah (safe deposit) were entrusted assets, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a borrowed item is destroyed with the borrower he is not held liable unless it is stipulated.”’ In another Hadith it is said that if the borrower is a just Muslim he is not held liable.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يَضْمَنُ الْعَارِيَّةَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدِ اشْتَرَطَ فِيهَا ضَمَاناً إِلَّا الدَّنَانِيرَ فَإِنَّهَا مَضْمُونَةٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَشْتَرِطْ فِيهَا ضَمَاناً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A borrower is not held liable for the item borrowed unless it is stipulated, except dinar which brings liability even if there is no stipulation.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْعَارِيَّةُ مَضْمُونَةٌ فَقَالَ جَمِيعُ مَا اسْتَعَرْتَهُ فَتَوِيَ فَلَا يَلْزَمُكَ [مَا] تَوَاهُ إِلَّا الذَّهَبُ وَ الْفِضَّةُ فَإِنَّهُمَا يَلْزَمَانِ إِلَّا أَنْ يُشْتَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ مَتَى مَا تَوِيَ لَمْ يَلْزَمْكَ تَوَاهُ وَ كَذَلِكَ جَمِيعُ مَا اسْتَعَرْتَ فَاشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْكَ لَزِمَكَ وَ الذَّهَبُ وَ الْفِضَّةُ لَازِمٌ لَكَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُشْتَرَطْ عَلَيْكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the borrowed item; if the borrower was held liable for it. He (the Imam) said, ‘If whatever you borrow is destroyed, you are not held liable except gold and silver; which bring liability unless it is stipulated that even on being destroyed you are not

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَارِيَّةِ يَسْتَعِيرُهَا الْإِنْسَانُ فَتَهْلِكُ أَوْ تُسْرَقُ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ أَمِيناً فَلَا غُرْمَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الَّذِي يَسْتَبْضِعُ الْمَالَ‌[1] فَيَهْلِكُ أَوْ يُسْرَقُ أَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ ضَمَانٌ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غُرْمٌ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الرَّجُلُ أَمِيناً.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a borrowed item; if it was destroyed or was stolen. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the borrower is trustworthy he is not held liable.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about the case of a man who gave certain amount of assets to another person to use in business in which the worker had no sha

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعَارِيَّةِ فَقَالَ لَا غُرْمَ عَلَى مُسْتَعِيرِ عَارِيَّةٍ إِذَا هَلَكَتْ إِذَا كَانَ مَأْمُوناً.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a borrowed item. He (the Imam) said, ‘The borrower has no liability if the item is destroyed if he is trustworthy.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ اسْتَعَارَ ثَوْباً ثُمَّ عَمَدَ إِلَيْهِ فَرَهَنَهُ فَجَاءَ أَهْلُ الْمَتَاعِ إِلَى مَتَاعِهِمْ قَالَ يَأْخُذُونَ مَتَاعَهُمْ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who borrowed clothes, then left it as al-Rahn (security deposit) with someone; then the owner came to take it. He (the Imam) said, ‘They can take their asset.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ وَدِيعَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ كُلُّمَا كَانَ مِنْ وَدِيعَةٍ وَ لَمْ تَكُنْ مَضْمُونَةً لَا تَلْزَمُ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the Wadi‘ah (safe deposit) of gold and silver. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever of Wadi ‘ah (safe deposit) for which liability is not stipulated does not make one liable.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَوْدَعَ رَجُلًا أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ فَضَاعَتْ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ كَانَتْ عِنْدِي وَدِيعَةً وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ إِنَّمَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْكَ قَرْضاً قَالَ الْمَالُ لَازِمٌ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُقِيمَ الْبَيِّنَةَ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ وَدِيعَةً.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who borrowed one thousand dirham and it was lost and he said that it was Wadi ‘ah (safe deposit) with him and the other said that it was a debt on him. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is responsible for it unless he presents proof that it was Wadi ‘ah (safe deposit).”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ دَفَعَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَدِيعَةً فَوَضَعَهَا فِي مَنْزِلِ جَارِهِ فَضَاعَتْ فَهَلْ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا خَالَفَ أَمْرَهُ وَ أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ مِلْكِهِ فَوَقَّعَ ع هُوَ ضَامِنٌ لَهَا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

‘He is responsible for it, by the will of Allah.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى صَفْوَانَ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ فَاسْتَعَارَ مِنْهُ سَبْعِينَ دِرْعاً بِأَطْرَاقِهَا[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ أَ غَصْباً يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص بَلْ عَارِيَّةٌ مَضْمُونَةٌ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, sent a message to Safwan ibn ‘Umayyah asking him to borrow seventy pieces of coats of arms with their helmets. He asked, ‘Is it forcibly, O Muhammad?’ T

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ الْمَالَ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ ائْتِ أَرْضَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ لَا تُجَاوِزْهَا وَ اشْتَرِ مِنْهَا قَالَ فَإِنْ جَاوَزَهَا وَ هَلَكَ الْمَالُ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ إِنْ اشْتَرَى مَتَاعاً فَوَضَعَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ رَبِحَ فَهُوَ بَيْنَهُمَا.

“About the case of a man who gives a certain amount of asset to another man and tells him to go to so and so city and not beyond it then buy from it goods, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If he goes beyond and the asset is destroyed, he is accountable and if he buys goods and it depreciates it is his responsibility;

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُعْطِي الْمَالَ مُضَارَبَةً وَ يَنْهَى أَنْ يَخْرُجَ بِهِ فَخَرَجَ قَالَ يُضَمَّنُ الْمَالَ وَ الرِّبْحُ بَيْنَهُمَا.

‘He is held responsible for the assets and the profit is for both.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنِ اتَّجَرَ مَالًا وَ اشْتَرَطَ نِصْفَ الرِّبْحِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ ضَمَانٌ وَ قَالَ مَنْ ضَمَّنَ تَاجِراً فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا رَأْسُ مَالِهِ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنَ الرِّبْحِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ’If one uses a certain amount of assets in business with stipulation for half of the profit, he is not liable.’ He (the Imam) also said, ‘One who holds a merchant responsible he can only have his capital and has no share in the profit.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ فِي رَجُلٍ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَالٌ فَيَتَقَاضَاهُ وَ لَا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ فَيَقُولُ هُوَ عِنْدَكَ مُضَارَبَةً قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ حَتَّى يَقْبِضَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that about the case of a man who owed a certain amount of assets to another man who demanded it but he did not have it, then told him to keep it as capital for Mudarabah (profit sharing), ’Amir al-Mu’minin, has said, ‘It is not valid until he takes possession.’”

فِي الْمُضَارِبِ مَا أَنْفَقَ فِي سَفَرِهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ وَ إِذَا قَدِمَ بَلَدَهُ فَمَا أَنْفَقَ فَمِنْ نَصِيبِهِ.

“About the case of Mudarabah (profit sharing) abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever the trading party spends during his journey is from all of the assets, but when he arrives home thereafter whatever he spends is from his own share.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ الْمَالُ مُضَارَبَةً فَيَقِلُّ بِرِبْحِهِ فَيَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُ فَيَزِيدُ صَاحِبَهُ عَلَى شَرْطِهِ الَّذِي كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ إِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had a certain amount of assets for Mudarabah (profit sharing) with him but made very little profit; and was afraid of the other party’s taking away the capital, so he paid him more than the amount stipulated, so that he would not

لَهُ الرِّبْحُ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْوَضِيعَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يُخَالِفَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا أَمَرَهُ صَاحِبُ الْمَالِ‌[1].

“About the case of a man who works for Mudarabah (profit sharing), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He can have (his share of) the profit but is not liable for depreciation (loss) unless he violates the instructions of the owner of the assets.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ دَفَعَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ مُضَارَبَةً فَاشْتَرَى أَبَاهُ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ يُقَوَّمُ فَإِذَا زَادَ دِرْهَماً وَاحِداً أُعْتِقَ وَ اسْتُسْعِيَ فِي مَالِ الرَّجُلِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who gave one thousand dirham to another man for Mudarabah (profit sharing) and he bought his father without knowing. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is appraised, even if a single dirham remains extra (as profit), he is free while it has spr

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ فِي الْمُضَارِبِ مَا أَنْفَقَ فِي سَفَرِهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ وَ إِذَا قَدِمَ بَلْدَتَهُ فَمَا أَنْفَقَ فَهُوَ مِنْ نَصِيبِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, about Mudarabah (profit sharing), has said, ‘Whatever he spends during his journey is from the whole of the capital, but when he is back home then whatever he spends is from his own share.’”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْقَصَّارِ يُفْسِدُ قَالَ كُلُّ أَجِيرٍ يُعْطَى الْأَجْرَ عَلَى أَنْ يُصْلِحَ فَيُفْسِدُ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ.

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a cleaner who destroyed. He (the Imam) said, ’Everyone hired and paid for mending an item is liable if the item is destroyed.”’

فِي الْغَسَّالِ وَ الصَّبَّاغِ مَا سُرِقَ مِنْهُمَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ مِنْهُ عَلَى أَمْرٍ بَيِّنٍ أَنَّهُ قَدْ سُرِقَ وَ كُلَّ قَلِيلٍ لَهُ أَوْ كَثِيرٍ فَإِنْ فَعَلَ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُقِمِ الْبَيِّنَةَ وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ ذَهَبَ الَّذِي ادُّعِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ ضَمِنَهُ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بَيِّنَةٌ عَلَى قَوْلِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In the case of cleaners and dyers and the items stolen from them with no clear evidence that he has stolen, of small or large quantities, if it happens, there is nothing on him, if no evidence is presented to prove it to be his doing; but if he thinks the claimant has done it, he is l

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُضَمِّنُ الْقَصَّارَ وَ الصَّائِغَ احْتِيَاطاً لِلنَّاسِ وَ كَانَ أَبِي يَتَطَوَّلُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كَانَ مَأْمُوناً[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, would hold a cleaner liable as well as a dyer as precautionary measures to protect the interests of the people but my father would deal with them more graciously if they were trusted ones.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَصَّارٍ دَفَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ ثَوْباً فَزَعَمَ أَنَّهُ سُرِقَ مِنْ بَيْنِ مَتَاعِهِ قَالَ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُقِيمَ الْبَيِّنَةَ أَنَّهُ سُرِقَ مِنْ بَيْنِ مَتَاعِهِ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ سُرِقَ مَتَاعُهُ كُلُّهُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a cleaner to whom I gave a cloth and he thought it was stolen from his goods. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to present evidence that it is stolen from his goods; then there is nothing on him and if all of his goods are stolen he is no

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُضَمِّنُ الْقَصَّارَ وَ الصَّبَّاغَ وَ الصَّائِغَ احْتِيَاطاً عَلَى أَمْتِعَةِ النَّاسِ وَ كَانَ لَا يُضَمِّنُ ع مِنَ الْغَرَقِ وَ الْحَرَقِ وَ الشَّيْ‌ءِ الْغَالِبِ وَ إِذَا غَرِقَتِ السَّفِينَةُ وَ مَا فِيهَا فَأَصَابَهُ النَّاسُ فَمَا قَذَفَ بِهِ الْبَحْرُ عَلَى سَاحِلِهِ فَهُوَ لِأَهْلِهِ وَ هُمْ أَحَقُّ بِهِ وَ مَا غَاصَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ وَ تَرَكَهُ صَاحِبُهُ فَهُوَ لَهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Amir al-Mu’minin would hold cleaners, jewelers and dyers liable as precautionary measure to protect the interests of the people; but he would not hold them liable for things burnt or drowned. When a ship drowned with its contents and people found things thrown on shore, it was for

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْقَصَّارِ يُسَلَّمُ إِلَيْهِ الثَّوْبُ وَ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ فِي وَقْتٍ قَالَ إِذَا خَالَفَ الْوَقْتَ وَ ضَاعَ الثَّوْبُ بَعْدَ الْوَقْتِ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a cleaner man to whom I gave clothes with a condition to return at a given time. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he violates the time and clothes are lost after the given time he is liable.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الثَّوْبِ أَدْفَعُهُ إِلَى الْقَصَّارِ فَيُحْرِقُهُ قَالَ أَغْرِمْهُ فَإِنَّكَ إِنَّمَا دَفَعْتَهُ إِلَيْهِ لِيُصْلِحَهُ وَ لَمْ تَدْفَعْهُ إِلَيْهِ لِيُفْسِدَهُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a cleaner man to whom I gave clothes but he burnt them. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can make him compensate, you gave him for mending and not to destroy them.’”

أَنَ‌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص أُتِيَ بِصَاحِبِ حَمَّامٍ وُضِعَتْ عِنْدَهُ الثِّيَابُ فَضَاعَتْ فَلَمْ يُضَمِّنْهُ وَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ أَمِينٌ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once the owner of a public bath house with whom clothes were left and were lost, was brought before ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), who did not hold him liable and said that he was trusted.’”