The Book of Commerce

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُقْرِضُ الرَّجُلَ الدَّرَاهِمَ الْغِلَّةَ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ الدَّرَاهِمَ الطَّازَجِيَّةَ[1] طَيِّبَةً بِهَا نَفْسُهُ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ وَ ذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ع.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who gave impure dirhams as a loan to another man, who then paid him back with better dirhams without compulsion. He (the Imam) said, it is not unlawful and it is from Ali (a.s.).’”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ الثَّنِيُّ فَيُعْطِي الرَّبَاعَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, whenever owing something to someone would pay back heavier.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَسْتَقْرِضُ مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الدَّرَاهِمَ فَيَرُدُّ عَلَيْهِ الْمِثْقَالَ أَوْ يَسْتَقْرِضُ الْمِثْقَالَ فَيَرُدُّ عَلَيْهِ الدَّرَاهِمَ فَقَالَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ شَرْطٌ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ إِنَّ أَبِي رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ كَانَ يَسْتَقْرِضُ الدَّرَاهِمَ الْفُسُولَةَ فَيُدْخِلُ عَلَيْهِ الدَّرَاهِمَ الْجِلَالَ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ رُدَّهَا عَلَى الَّذِي ا

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who borrowed from another man dirham and returned with a Mithqal (a certain unit of weight) or borrowed a Mithqal and paid back with dirham. He (the Imam) said, ‘If there is no stipulation it is not unlawful, it is only extra. My fath

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ جُلَّةٌ مِنْ بُسْرٍ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ جُلَّةً مِنْ رُطَبٍ وَ هِيَ أَقَلُّ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ فَيَكُونُ لِي عَلَيْهِ جُلَّةٌ مِنْ بُسْرٍ فَآخُذُ مِنْهُ جُلَّةً مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَ هِيَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِذَا كَانَ مَعْرُوفاً بَيْنَكُمَا[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who owed a basket of dry dates and got back a basket of fresh dates which was less. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘What will happen if he owes to me a basket of dry dates and I take from him a basket of fres

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَسْتَقْرِضُ مِنَ الرَّجُلِ قَرْضاً وَ يُعْطِيهِ الرَّهْنَ إِمَّا خَادِماً وَ إِمَّا آنِيَةً وَ إِمَّا ثِيَاباً فَيَحْتَاجُ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ فَيَسْتَأْذِنُهُ فِيهِ فَيَأْذَنُ لَهُ قَالَ إِذَا طَابَتْ نَفْسُهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ كُلَّ قَرْضٍ يَجُرُّ مَنْفَعَةً فَهُوَ فَاسِدٌ فَقَالَ أَ وَ لَيْسَ خَيْرُ الْقَرْضِ مَا جَر

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who asked for a loan. He left al-Rahn (security deposit) like a servant or utensils or cloths. The party needed to benefit from them, so he asked permission and he gave permission. He (the Imam) said, if permission is given without c

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْقَرْضِ يَجُرُّ الْمَنْفَعَةَ فَقَالَ خَيْرُ الْقَرْضِ الَّذِي يَجُرُّ الْمَنْفَعَةَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if loan attracted benefits. He (the Imam) said, ‘The best loan is that which attracts benefits.’”

خَيْرُ الْقَرْضِ مَا جَرَّ مَنْفَعَةً.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The best loan is that which attracts benefits.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَجِيئُنِي فَأَشْتَرِي لَهُ الْمَتَاعَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ أَضْمَنُ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ يَجِيئُنِي بِالدَّرَاهِمِ فَآخُذُهَا وَ أَحْبِسُهَا عَنْ صَاحِبِهَا وَ آخُذُ الدَّرَاهِمَ الْجِيَادَ وَ أُعْطِي دُونَهَا فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ يَضْمَنُ فَرُبَّمَا اشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ فَعَجَّلَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَهُ وَ يَحْبِسُ بَعْدَ مَا يَأْخُذُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who came to me; I bought for him goods from people and guaranteed payment on his behalf. Then he came to me with dirham. I took and withheld them from their owner, then took the good quality dirhams and gave them of lower quality. He (the Imam) said, ‘He guara

قُلْتُ لَهُ يُسْلِفُ الرَّجُلُ الرَّجُلَ الْوَرِقَ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْقُدَهَا إِيَّاهُ بِأَرْضٍ أُخْرَى وَ يَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made an advance payment with the xvariq (dirham) so that the other could pay him in cash in another land and make it a condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَأْخُذَ الرَّجُلُ الدَّرَاهِمَ بِمَكَّةَ وَ يَكْتُبَ لَهُمْ سَفَاتِجَ أَنْ يُعْطُوهَا بِالْكُوفَةِ.

‘It is not unlawful if a man takes dirhams in Makkah and writes for them (his people) notes to pay them in al-Kufah.’”

الَّذِي يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْعَثَ بِهِ أَقْرِضْنِيهِ وَ أَنَا أُوفِيكَ إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْأَرْضَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“About the case of a man who wants to send goods to a land, if the one with whom he wants to send says, ‘Give this to me as a loan and I will pay you when you reach that land, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

‌ أَنَّهُمَا كَرِهَا رُكُوبَ الْبَحْرِ لِلتِّجَارَةِ

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said, ‘We dislike sailing on the sea for business.’”

قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌ مَا أَجْمَلَ فِي الطَّلَبِ مَنْ رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ لِلتِّجَارَةِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated in a marfu’ manner the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), ‘has said, ‘How beautiful is the quest for trade to sail on the sea!”’ [Note: H 9118 and H 9119 appear to occur during two different eras, perhaps of safe and unsafe sailing times]

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

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

فِي رُكُوبِ الْبَحْرِ لِلتِّجَارَةِ يُغَرِّرُ الرَّجُلُ بِدِينِهِ‌[2].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘In sailing on the sea for trade one is deceived in his religion.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسَافِرُ فَيَرْكَبُ الْبَحْرَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ يُضِرُّ بِدِينِكَ هُوَ ذَا النَّاسُ يُصِيبُونَ أَرْزَاقَهُمْ وَ مَعِيشَتَهُمْ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who traveled and sailed on the sea. He (the Imam) said, ‘My father would say that it causes harms to one’s religion. There are people who find their livelihood and sustenance.’”

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

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

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَتْجَرُهُ فِي بَلَدِهِ وَ يَكُونَ خُلَطَاؤُهُ صَالِحِينَ وَ يَكُونَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ يَسْتَعِينُ بِهِمْ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ibn Muskan from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of a man’s good fortune to have his place of business where he lives, to have virtuous associates and children

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ السَّعَادَةِ الزَّوْجَةُ الْمُؤَاتِيَةُ[1] وَ الْأَوْلَادُ الْبَارُّونَ وَ الرَّجُلُ يُرْزَقُ مَعِيشَتَهُ بِبَلَدِهِ يَغْدُو إِلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ يَرُوحُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Three factors help a man enjoy good fortune: One is a cooperating wife, virtuous and kind children, and he finds his living where he lives and is present in his family every morning and evenings.’”

مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَتْجَرُهُ فِي بَلَدِهِ وَ يَكُونَ خُلَطَاؤُهُ صَالِحِينَ وَ يَكُونَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ يَسْتَعِينُ بِهِمْ وَ مِنْ شَقَاءِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ تَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ امْرَأَةٌ مُعْجَبٌ بِهَا وَ هِيَ تَخُونُهُ.

“Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of a man’s good fortune to have his place of business where he lives, to have virtuous associates and children who support him. It is misfortune of a man to have a conceited wife who is treacherous toward him.’”

أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ أَعْطِنِي رَأْسَ الْمَالِ وَ لَكَ الرِّبْحُ وَ عَلَيْكَ التَّوَى فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ إِذَا اشْتَرَطَا[2] فَإِذَا كَانَ شَرْطٌ يُخَالِفُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

"This is about the two men who had a business partnership with a certain amount of asset in which they made a certain amount of profit, there, however, was a loan against that asset which both had to pay. One of them asked the other to give him the capital in exchange for the profit and payment of loan. The Imam said,

فِي رَجُلَيْنِ كَانَ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا طَعَامٌ عِنْدَ صَاحِبِهِ وَ لَا يَدْرِي كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا كَمْ لَهُ عِنْدَ صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ لَكَ مَا عِنْدَكَ‌[3] وَ لِي مَا عِنْدِي قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا تَرَاضَيَا وَ طَابَتْ أَنْفُسُهُمَا.

“About two men who each had a certain amount of grain in the possession of the other but no one of them knew how much was the amount, and each one of them had said to the other one, ‘You can have whatever amount of grain is with you and I will have the amount which is with me,’ one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ دَيْنٌ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ‌ يَحِلَّ الْأَجَلُ عَجِّلْ لِيَ النِّصْفَ مِنْ حَقِّي عَلَى أن أَضَعَ عَنْكَ النِّصْفَ أَ يَحِلُّ ذَلِكَ لِوَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[1].

“I once asked the Imam (a.s.), about the case of a man to whom another man owed a certain amount of loan who before the due date asked the borrower to pay him half of the loan so he then might cancel the other half in favor of the borrower. He (the Imam) said, ‘Such settlement is lawful.”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ دَيْنٌ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَيَأْتِيهِ غَرِيمُهُ فَيَقُولُ انْقُدْنِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ أَضَعُ عَنْكَ بَقِيَّتَهُ أَوْ يَقُولُ انْقُدْنِي بَعْضَهُ وَ أَمُدُّ لَكَ فِي الْأَجَلِ فِيمَا بَقِيَ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ لَا أَرَى بِهِ بَأْساً إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَزْدَدْ عَلَى رَأْسِ مَالِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَلَكُمْ رُؤُسُ أَمْوالِكُمْ لا تَظْلِمُونَ وَ لا تُظْلَمُونَ‌[2].

“I once asked the Imam about one who before due date of payment, asked a man who owed him a certain amount, to pay him a certain amount and he might write off the rest or extend the due date for payment in his favor. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not see any offense in such deal as long as he does not increase his capital.

الصُّلْحُ جَائِزٌ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Settlement by means of mutual agreement is permissible for people.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع يَهُودِيٌّ أَوْ نَصْرَانِيٌّ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِنْدِي أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَهَلَكَ أَ يَجُوزُ لِي أَنْ أُصَالِحَ وَرَثَتَهُ وَ لَا أُعْلِمَهُمْ كَمْ كَانَ فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى تُخْبِرَهُمْ‌[3].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.). ‘There are four thousand dirhams of a Jew or a Christian and he has died. Is it permissible to reach a settlement about it with his heirs without informing them of the amount?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, until you inform them of the amount.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ ضَمَّنَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ ضَمَاناً ثُمَّ صَالَحَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا الَّذِي صَالَحَ عَلَيْهِ.

’He can only have the actual amount the man owes to him.”’

إِذَا كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ عَلَى رَجُلٍ دَيْنٌ فَمَطَلَهُ حَتَّى مَاتَ ثُمَّ صَالَحَ وَرَثَتَهُ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ فَالَّذِي أَخَذَتْهُ الْوَرَثَةُ لَهُمْ وَ مَا بَقِيَ فَلِلْمَيِّتِ- حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَهُ مِنْهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يُصَالِحْهُمْ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ حَتَّى مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِ عَنْهُ فَهُوَ كُلُّهُ لِلْمَيِّتِ يَأْخُذُهُ بِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If one owes a certain amount of debts to another person and he delays payment until the creditor dies and then he reaches a settlement with such person’s heirs whatever they receive belongs to them and the remaining belongs to the deceased who will acquire from him in the next life; b

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ اخْتَارَ لِأَنْبِيَائِهِ الْحَرْثَ وَ الزَّرْعَ كَيْلَا يَكْرَهُوا شَيْئاً مِنْ قَطْرِ السَّمَاءِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has chosen farming and plantation for His prophets so that they will not dislike the drops falling from the sky.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ أَرْزَاقَ أَنْبِيَائِهِ فِي الزَّرْعِ وَ الضَّرْعِ لِئَلَّا يَكْرَهُوا شَيْئاً مِنْ قَطْرِ السَّمَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah has placed means of the sustenance of His prophets in agriculture and stock farming so that they will not dislike drops falling from the sky.’”

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

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

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

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

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ خَيْرُ الْأَعْمَالِ الْحَرْثُ تَزْرَعُهُ فَيَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ الْبَرُّ وَ الْفَاجِرُ أَمَّا الْبَرُّ فَمَا أَكَلَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَكَ وَ أَمَّا الْفَاجِرُ فَمَا أَكَلَ مِنْهُ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ لَعَنَهُ وَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ الْبَهَائِمُ وَ الطَّيْرُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘My father (a.s.), would say, “The best work is farming in which you plant, and the virtuous as well as sinful ones eat. The virtuous on eating asks forgiveness for you and the sinful one on eating it is condemned; and even animals and birds eat thereof.’”

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الزَّارِعُونَ كُنُوزُ الْأَنَامِ يَزْرَعُونَ طَيِّباً أَخْرَجَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ هُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَحْسَنُ النَّاسِ مَقَاماً وَ أَقْرَبُهُمْ مَنْزِلَةً يُدْعَوْنَ الْمُبَارَكِينَ.

“I once heard abu £ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ’Farmers are the mines of living creatures. They farm goodness that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, makes to grow and on the Day of Judgment they will have the best position and the closest place and they are called the blessed ones.’”

مَرَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِنَاسٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ هُمْ يَحْرُثُونَ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ احْرُثُوا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ يُنْبِتُ اللَّهُ بِالرِّيحِ كَمَا يُنْبِتُ بِالْمَطَرِ قَالَ فَحَرَثُوا فَجَادَتْ زُرُوعُهُمْ‌[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), once passed by a people of al-Ansar who were farming and he (the Imam) said to them, ‘Continue farming; the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Allah causes it to grow by wind as He does so by water.’” The

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَتَوْا مُوسَى ع فَسَأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُمْطِرَ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِذَا أَرَادُوا وَ يَحْبِسَهَا إِذَا أَرَادُوا فَسَأَلَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ يَا مُوسَى فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ مُوسَى فَحَرَثُوا وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكُوا شَيْئاً إِلَّا زَرَعُوهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَنْزَلُوا الْمَط

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from Sadir who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘The Israelites went to Moses and asked him to ask Allah to make the sky rain on them only when they wanted and stop it from r

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَزْرَعَ زَرْعاً فَخُذْ قَبْضَةً مِنَ الْبَذْرِ وَ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ قُلْ- أَ فَرَأَيْتُمْ ما تَحْرُثُونَ أَ أَنْتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ‌[2] ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ بَلِ اللَّهُ‌ الزَّارِعُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ حَبّاً مُبَارَكاً وَ ارْزُقْنَا فِيهِ السَّلَامَةَ ثُمَّ انْثُرِ الْقَبْضَةَ الَّتِي فِي يَدِك

“In fact Allah is the cultivator” three times then say, “O Lord, make it blessed grain and provide us safety in it.” Then spread the handful from your hand on the plain ground.’”

قَالَ لِي إِذَا بَذَرْتَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ قَدْ بَذَرْتُ وَ أَنْتَ الزَّارِعُ فَاجْعَلْهُ حَبّاً مُتَرَاكِماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘At the time of spreading seed say, “O Lord, I have spread the seed and You are the cultivator; so make it to produce plentiful grains.”’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُلْقِحَ النَّخِيلَ إِذَا كَانَتْ لَا يَجُودُ حَمْلُهَا وَ لَا يَتَبَعَّلُ النَّخْلُ فَلْيَأْخُذْ حِيتَاناً صِغَاراً يَابِسَةً فَلْيَدُقَّهَا بَيْنَ الدَّقَّيْنِ ثُمَّ يَذُرُّ فِي كُلِّ طَلْعَةٍ مِنْهَا قَلِيلًا وَ يَصُرُّ الْبَاقِيَ فِي صُرَّةٍ نَظِيفَةٍ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُ فِي قَلْبِ النَّخْلَةِ يَنْفَعُ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wants to pollinate palm trees which are not good in their conception and do not accept pollens, he can take small fish, crush them between the two grinding plates and place a little of it in every sprouting element, keep the remaining in a bag and place in the center of the tre

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَدْ رَأَيْتُ حَائِطَكَ فَغَرَسْتَ فِيهِ شَيْئاً بَعْدُ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَدْ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ آخُذَ مِنْ حِيطَانِكَ وَدِيّاً[2] قَالَ أَ فَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنْهُ وَ أَسْرَعُ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ إِذَا أَيْنَعَتِ الْبُسْرَةُ[3] وَ هَمَّتْ أَنْ تُرْطِبَ فَاغْرِسْهَا فَإِنَّهَا تُؤَدِّي إِلَيْكَ مِثْلَ الَّذِي غَرَسْتُهَا سَوَاءً فَفَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ فَنَبَتَتْ مِثْلَهُ سَوَاء

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘I saw your garden, have you planted anything in it yet?’ I said, ‘I wanted to take small stems from your garden and plant them.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allow me to tell you what is better than this and quicker.’ I replied, ‘Yes please do so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When dates ripen

قَالَ ع‌ إِذَا غَرَسْتَ غَرْساً أَوْ نَبْتاً فَاقْرَأْ عَلَى كُلِّ عُودٍ أَوْ حَبَّةٍ سُبْحَانَ الْبَاعِثِ الْوَارِثِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَكَادُ يُخْطِئُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from in a marfu’ manner the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘When you plant a tree or plantation, say with every twig or deed, “Free of all defect is One who raises and inherits”, it then cannot fail, by the will of Allah.’”

تَقُولُ إِذَا غَرَسْتَ أَوْ زَرَعْتَ وَ مَثَلُ كَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُها ثابِتٌ وَ فَرْعُها فِي السَّماءِ تُؤْتِي أُكُلَها كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّها.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from in a marfu’ manner the following: “One of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘When you plant or cultivate read, “The likeness of the blessed word is like that of a blessed tree with firmly established roots and branches that rise into the s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ قَطْعِ السِّدْرِ فَقَالَ سَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِكَ عَنْهُ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ قَدْ قَطَعَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ‌ ع سِدْراً وَ غَرَسَ مَكَانَهُ عِنَباً[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about cutting down a lotus tree. He (the Imam) said, ‘One of your people asked me about it and I wrote to him that abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once cut down a lotus tree and planted in its place grape-vines.’”

مَكْرُوهٌ قَطْعُ النَّخْلِ وَ سُئِلَ عَنْ قَطْعِ الشَّجَرَةِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ فَالسِّدْرِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ قَطْعُ السِّدْرِ بِالْبَادِيَةِ لِأَنَّهُ بِهَا قَلِيلٌ وَ أَمَّا هَاهُنَا فَلَا يُكْرَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that cutting down of palm trees is detestable. He (the Imam) was asked about cutting down of trees. He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked about cutting down of lotus trees. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful. It is detestable to cut them down in the wilderness b

لَا تَقْطَعُوا الثِّمَارَ فَيَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْعَذَابَ صَبّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not cut down a fruit bearing tree; Allah will send on you a great suffering.’”

لَا تُؤَاجِرُوا الْأَرْضَ بِالْحِنْطَةِ وَ لَا بِالشَّعِيرِ وَ لَا بِالتَّمْرِ وَ لَا بِالْأَرْبِعَاءِ وَ لَا بِالنِّطَافِ‌[2] وَ لَكِنْ بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ لِأَنَّ الذَّهَبَ وَ الْفِضَّةَ مَضْمُونٌ وَ هَذَا لَيْسَ بِمَضْمُونٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not rent land in exchange for wheat, barley, dates, canals or small amount of water, but you can do so in exchange for gold or silver; gold and silver are guaranteed and those are not guaranteed.’”

لَا تَسْتَأْجِرِ الْأَرْضَ بِالتَّمْرِ وَ لَا بِالْحِنْطَةِ وَ لَا بِالشَّعِيرِ وَ لَا بِالْأَرْبِعَاءِ وَ لَا بِالنِّطَافِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأَرْبِعَاءُ قَالَ الشِّرْبُ وَ النِّطَافُ فَضْلُ الْمَاءِ وَ لَكِنْ تَقَبَّلْهَا بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ النِّصْفِ وَ الثُّلُثِ وَ الرُّبُعِ

‘You must not rent land in exchange for dates, wheat, barley, al-Arbi‘a’ or al-Nitaf.’ I then asked, ‘What is al-Arbi‘a?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a small amount of water and al-Nitaf means extra water, but rent it in exchange for gold or silver, for half of the produce, one-third or one-fourth.’”

لَا تَسْتَأْجِرِ الْأَرْضَ بِالْحِنْطَةِ ثُمَّ تَزْرَعَهَا حِنْطَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not rent land in exchange for wheat where you plant wheat.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَتَقَبَّلُ الْأَرْضَ بِالدَّنَانِيرِ أَوْ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“About the case of a man who accepts dinar or dirham for (the rent of) land, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”