The Book of Commerce

مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَسْتَعْمِلَنَّ أَجِيراً حَتَّى يُعْلِمَهُ مَا أَجْرُهُ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيراً ثُمَّ حَبَسَهُ عَنِ الْجُمُعَةِ يَبُوءُ بِإِثْمِهِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَحْبِسْهُ اشْتَرَكَا فِي الْأَجْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and on Day of Judgment must not make a person work for him on hire until he knows how much his wages are, and if one hires a person and keeps him from Friday prayer, he is held responsible for his sin; and if he allows him to attend Friday prayer they will sh

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ اكْتَرَى دَابَّةً إِلَى مَكَانٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَجَاوَزَهُ قَالَ يُحْسَبُ لَهُ الْأَجْرُ بِقَدْرِ مَا جَاوَزَ وَ إِنْ عَطِبَ الْحِمَارُ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who hires a stumper to a certain place but he goes beyond such place. He (the Imam) said, ’He must pay for the extra distance; and if the donkey is destroyed, he is held responsible.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكْتَرِي الدَّابَّةَ فَيَقُولُ اكْتَرَيْتُهَا مِنْكَ إِلَى مَكَانِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَإِنْ جَاوَزْتُهُ فَلَكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا زِيَادَةً وَ يُسَمِّي ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ كُلِّهِ.

‘I rent it from you to so and so place; if I went beyond such place you will be paid so and so much extra which he mentions.’ He (the Imam) said, ’All of it is permissible.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ‌ الرَّجُلِ تَكَارَى دَابَّةً إِلَى مَكَانٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَنَفَقَتِ الدَّابَّةُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ جَازَ الشَّرْطَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ إِنْ دَخَلَ وَادِياً لَمْ يُوثِقْهَا فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ إِنْ سَقَطَتْ فِي بِئْرٍ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَسْتَوْثِقْ مِنْهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who rents a stumper to a certain place but it dies. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he has violated the stipulation he is responsible, if he enters a valley where he is not confident for its safety, he then is responsible, if it falls in a we

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ قَاضٍ مِنْ قُضَاةِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلَانِ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا إِنِّي تَكَارَيْتُ هَذَا يُوَافِي بِيَ السُّوقَ يَوْمَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ كِرَاءٌ قَالَ فَدَعَوْتُهُ وَ قُلْتُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ لَكَ أَنْ تَذْهَبَ بِحَقِّهِ وَ قُلْتُ لِلْآخَرِ لَيْسَ لَكَ أَنْ تَأْخُذَ كُلَّ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ اصْطَلِحَا فَتَرَادَّا

“I once heard abu Ja’far (a.s.), saying, ‘I was sitting near the judge in al-Madinah when two men came to him. One of them said, ‘I hired this person to appear in the market on such and such day but he did not appear.’ The judge said, ’He does not deserve payment.’ He (the Imam) has said, ’I then called him and said, “

كُنْتُ قَاعِداً عِنْدَ قَاضٍ مِنَ الْقُضَاةِ وَ عِنْدَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع جَالِسٌ فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلَانِ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا إِنِّي تَكَارَيْتُ إِبِلَ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ لِيَحْمِلَ لِي مَتَاعاً إِلَى بَعْضِ الْمَعَادِنِ فَاشْتَرَطْتُ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُدْخِلَنِي الْمَعْدِنَ يَوْمَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا لِأَنَّهَا سُوقٌ أَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ يَفُوتَنِي فَإِنِ احْتُبِسْتُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ حَطَطْتُ مِنَ الْكِرَاءِ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ أُحْتَبَسُهُ كَذ

“I once was sitting with the judge and abu Ja’far (a.s.), was also there, when two men came to him and one of them said, ‘I rented a camel from this man to carry my goods to the mine and I stipulated with him to come to me to the mine on so and so day because that was the market day and I was afraid of missing it. If y

اكْتَرَيْتُ بَغْلًا إِلَى قَصْرِ ابْنِ هُبَيْرَةَ ذَاهِباً وَ جَائِياً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ خَرَجْتُ فِي طَلَبِ غَرِيمٍ لِي فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ قُرْبَ قَنْطَرَةِ الْكُوفَةِ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبِي تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى النِّيلِ فَتَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ النِّيلِ فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُ النِّيلَ خُبِّرْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبِي تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُ وَ ظَفِرْتُ بِهِ وَ فَرَغْتُ مِمَّا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْك

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad al-Hannat who has said the following: “I once rented a mule to Qasr ibn Hubayrah for both ways for so and so much amount. I left in search of my debtor and when I reached near the bridge of al-Kufah, I was informed that my d

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اسْتَأْجَرَ دَابَّةً فَأَعْطَاهَا غَيْرَهُ فَنَفَقَتْ مَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شَرَطَ أَنْ لَا يَرْكَبَهَا غَيْرُهُ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ لَهَا وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُسَمِّ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who rents a stumper but he gives it to another one and it dies. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he had stipulated that no one else except him ride it, then he is responsible; if such thing is not mentioned then he is not responsible.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكْتَرِي السَّفِينَةَ سَنَةً أَوْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ قَالَ الْكِرَاءُ لَازِمٌ إِلَى الْوَقْتِ الَّذِي اكْتَرَاهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ الْخِيَارُ فِي أَخْذِ الْكِرَاءِ إِلَى رَبِّهَا إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who rents a ship for a year or less or more. He (the Imam) said, ‘The lease is binding up to the end of its term. Receiving payment of rent is up to the owner who may accept it or leave it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَتَكَارَى مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الْبَيْتَ وَ السَّفِينَةَ سَنَةً أَوْ أَكْثَرَ أَوْ أَقَلَّ قَالَ كِرَاهُ لَازِمٌ إِلَى الْوَقْتِ الَّذِي تَكَارَاهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ الْخِيَارُ فِي أَخْذِ الْكِرَاءِ إِلَى رَبِّهَا إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ.

“Regarding my question before abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who rents a ship or house from another man for a year or more or less. He (the Imam) said, ‘Payment of rent up to the end of the term is incumbent, but accepting payment of rent or leaving it is up to the owner who may like to receive or

إِنَّ الْجَارَ كَالنَّفْسِ غَيْرَ مُضَارٍّ وَ لَا آثِمٍ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A neighbor (in matters of immunity) is like a soul which is not harmed or has not committed sins.’”

إِنَّ سَمُرَةَ بْنَ جُنْدَبٍ كَانَ لَهُ عَذْقٌ‌[2] فِي حَائِطٍ لِرَجُلٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ كَانَ مَنْزِلُ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ بِبَابِ الْبُسْتَانِ وَ كَانَ يَمُرُّ بِهِ إِلَى نَخْلَتِهِ وَ لَا يَسْتَأْذِنُ فَكَلَّمَهُ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ أَنْ يَسْتَأْذِنَ إِذَا جَاءَ فَأَبَى سَمُرَةُ فَلَمَّا تَأَبَّى جَاءَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ وَ خَبَّرَهُ الْخَبَرَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Samrah ibn Jundab had a fruit bearing palm tree in the garden of another man from al-Ansar whose house was at the door of the garden and he (Samrah) would pass by when going to his palm tree without permission. The man from al-Ansar spoke to him and asked him to ask for permission wheneve

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ عُيُونٌ فِي أَرْضٍ قَرِيبَةٍ بَعْضُهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ فَأَرَادَ الرَّجُلُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ عَيْنَهُ أَسْفَلَ مِنْ مَوْضِعِهَا الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَ بَعْضُ الْعُيُونِ إِذَا فُعِلَ ذَلِكَ أَضَرَّ بِالْبَقِيَّةِ مِنَ الْعُيُونِ وَ بَعْضٌ لَا يُضِرُّ مِنْ شِدَّةِ الْأَرْضِ قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ فِي مَكَانٍ شَدِيدٍ فَلَا يُضِرُّ وَ مَا كَانَ فِي أَرْضٍ رِخْوَةٍ بَطْحَاءَ[2] فَإِنَّه

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a people whose water fountains in a land are near each other, one of them decides to make his fountain below its original place in which case is harmful to the other fountains but certain ones do not harm due to solidity of earth. He (the I

فِي رَجُلٍ شَهِدَ بَعِيراً مَرِيضاً وَ هُوَ يُبَاعُ فَاشْتَرَاهُ رَجُلٌ بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ فَجَاءَ وَ أَشْرَكَ فِيهِ رَجُلًا بِدِرْهَمَيْنِ بِالرَّأْسِ وَ الْجِلْدِ فَقُضِيَ أَنَّ الْبَعِيرَ بَرَأَ فَبَلَغَ ثَمَنُهُ دَنَانِيرَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِ الدِّرْهَمَيْنِ خُذْ خُمُسَ مَا بَلَغَ فَأَبَى قَالَ أُرِيدُ الرَّأْسَ وَ الْجِلْدَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ هَذَا الضِّرَارُ وَ قَدْ أُعْطِيَ حَقَّهُ إِذَا أُعْطِيَ

“About the case of a man who found a sick camel for sale and bought it for ten dirham, then another man came and asked to share for the head and skin for two dirham, but then it was found that the camel was fine and not sick and its price reached many dinars. He then asked the owner of two dirham to take one-fifth of t

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ لَهُ قَنَاةٌ فِي قَرْيَةٍ فَأَرَادَ رَجُلٌ أَنْ يَحْفِرَ قَنَاةً أُخْرَى إِلَى قَرْيَةٍ لَهُ كَمْ يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُمَا فِي الْبُعْدِ حَتَّى لَا يُضِرَّ بِالْأُخْرَى فِي الْأَرْضِ إِذَا كَانَتْ صُلْبَةً أَوْ رِخْوَةً فَوَقَّعَ ع عَلَى حَسَبِ أَنْ لَا يُضِرَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا بِالْأُخْرَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ وَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ لَهُ رَحًى عَلَى نَهَرِ قَ

He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘It is according to a measure that does not cause one to harm the other, by the will of Allah.’ I wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who had a flour mill on the canal of a village that belonged to a man and the owner of the village wanted to divert the water to his vi

قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَيْنَ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ فِي مَشَارِبِ النَّخْلِ أَنَّهُ لَا يُمْنَعُ نَفْعُ الشَّيْ‌ءِ وَ قَضَى ص بَيْنَ أَهْلِ الْبَادِيَةِ أَنَّهُ لَا يُمْنَعُ فَضْلُ مَاءٍ لِيُمْنَعَ بِهِ فَضْلُ كَلَإٍ وَ قَالَ لَا ضَرَرَ وَ لَا ضِرَارَ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) judged among the people of Medina regarding the irrigation of palm trees, that no benefit of anything should be prevented. And he judged among the people of the desert that the surplus water should not be withheld to prevent the surplus pasture. And he said: 'There is no harm and no harming

فَقَالَ يَتَقَاسَمَانِ بِحَقَائِبِ الْبِئْرِ لَيْلَةً لَيْلَةً فَيُنْظَرُ أَيُّهُمَا أَضَرَّتْ بِصَاحِبَتِهَا فَإِنْ رُئِيَتِ الْأَخِيرَةُ أَضَرَّتْ بِالْأُولَى فَلْتُعَوَّرْ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a man digs a well (a canal) in a hill which reduces the water of an existing well or canal, they must be examined closely. Such tests must be conducted every night to find out which one reduces the water of the other. If it is found out that the second one reduces the water of t

إِنَّ سَمُرَةَ بْنَ جُنْدَبٍ كَانَ لَهُ عَذْقٌ وَ كَانَ طَرِيقُهُ إِلَيْهِ فِي جَوْفِ مَنْزِلِ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَكَانَ يَجِي‌ءُ وَ يَدْخُلُ إِلَى عَذْقِهِ بِغَيْرِ إِذْنٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ يَا سَمُرَةُ لَا تَزَالُ تُفَاجِئُنَا عَلَى حَالٍ لَا نُحِبُّ أَنْ تُفَاجِئَنَا عَلَيْهَا فَإِذَا دَخَلْتَ فَاسْتَأْذِنْ فَقَالَ لَا أَسْتَأْذِنُ فِي طَرِيقٍ وَ هُوَ طَرِيقِي إِلَى عَذْقِي ق

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Samrah ibn Jundab had a fruit bearing palm tree and his path way was through the inside section of the house of a man from al-Ansar. He would come and enter to go to his palm tree without permission. The man from al-Ansar said to him, ‘O Samrah, you continue to take us off guard in a cond

قَضَى النَّبِيُّ ص فِي رَجُلٍ بَاعَ نَخْلًا وَ اسْتَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ نَخْلَةً فَقَضَى لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِالْمَدْخَلِ إِلَيْهَا وَ الْمَخْرَجِ مِنْهَا وَ مَدَى جَرَائِدِهَا[1].

“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, issued a judgment, in the case of a man who sold a garden with the exception of one tree, that gave it a path to go to and come out and for its twigs.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا بَيْنَ بِئْرِ الْمَعْطِنِ إِلَى بِئْرِ الْمَعْطِنِ أَرْبَعُونَ ذِرَاعاً وَ مَا بَيْنَ بِئْرِ النَّاضِحِ إِلَى بِئْرِ النَّاضِحِ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعاً وَ مَا بَيْنَ الْعَيْنِ إِلَى الْعَيْنِ خَمْسُمِائَةِ ذِرَاعٍ وَ الطَّرِيقُ إِذَا تَشَاحَّ عَلَيْهِ أَهْلُهُ فَحَدُّهُ سَبْعَةُ أَذْرُعٍ.

“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, assigned the distance between two wells for drinking water to be forty Dhira‘ (arms length) and between two irrigating wells sixty Dhira‘ and between two water fou

أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ حَظِيرَةٍ بَيْنَ دَارَيْنِ فَزَعَمَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع قَضَى لِصَاحِبِ الدَّارِ الَّذِي مِنْ قِبَلِهِ الْقِمَاطُ[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the yard between two houses and he (the Imam) expressed certainty about the judgment of Ali (a.s.), in such case in favor of the house toward which the fence is facing.’”

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص قَضَى فِي هَوَائِرِ[4] النَّخْلِ أَنْ تَكُونَ النَّخْلَةُ وَ النَّخْلَتَانِ لِلرَّجُلِ فِي حَائِطِ الْآخَرِ فَيَخْتَلِفُونَ فِي حُقُوقِ ذَلِكَ فَقَضَى فِيهَا أَنَّ لِكُلِّ نَخْلَةٍ مِنْ أُولَئِكَ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ مَبْلَغَ جَرِيدَةٍ مِنْ جَرَائِدِهَا حِينَ بُعْدِهَا.

“The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, issued a judgment about the size of the area around one or two palm trees that a man may have in a garden which is disputed for each tree to be an area covered by its longest branch or twig.’”

يَقُولُ‌ حَرِيمُ الْبِئْرِ الْعَادِيَّةِ[1] أَرْبَعُونَ ذِرَاعاً حَوْلَهَا وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى خَمْسُونَ ذِرَاعاً إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ إِلَى عَطَنٍ أَوْ إِلَى الطَّرِيقِ فَيَكُونُ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ إِلَى خَمْسَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ ذِرَاعاً

‘The distance between two old wells must be forty Dhira‘ around it and between two wells for drinking water fifty Dhira‘ unless it is near the road, in which case it is less than twenty five Dhira‘.”’

يَكُونُ بَيْنَ الْبِئْرَيْنِ إِنْ كَانَتْ أَرْضاً صُلْبَةً خَمْسُمِائَةِ ذِرَاعٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ أَرْضاً رِخْوَةً فَأَلْفُ ذِرَاعٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The necessary distance between two wells if the land is solid must be five hundred Dhira‘ and if the land is soft then it must be one thousand Dhira‘.’”

حَرِيمُ النَّهَرِ حَافَتَاهُ وَ مَا يَلِيهَا.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, the restricted area around a canal is up to its edge and that which adjoins it.”

مَا بَيْنَ بِئْرِ الْمَعْطِنِ إِلَى بِئْرِ الْمَعْطِنِ أَرْبَعُونَ ذِرَاعاً وَ مَا بَيْنَ بِئْرِ النَّاضِحِ إِلَى بِئْرِ النَّاضِحِ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعاً وَ مَا بَيْنَ الْعَيْنِ إِلَى الْعَيْنِ يَعْنِي الْقَنَاةَ خَمْسُمِائَةِ ذِرَاعٍ وَ الطَّرِيقُ يَتَشَاحُّ عَلَيْهِ أَهْلُهُ فَحَدُّهُ سَبْعَةُ أَذْرُعٍ.

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, assigned the distance between two wells for drinking water to be forty Dhira‘ (arms length) and between two irrigating wells sixty Dhira‘ and between two water foun

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ خُصٍّ بَيْنَ دَارَيْنِ فَزَعَمَ‌[2] أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع قَضَى بِهِ لِصَاحِبِ الدَّارِ الَّذِي مِنْ قِبَلِهِ وَجْهُ الْقِمَاطِ[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a fence between two houses, he (the Imam) (a.s.), expressed certainty about the judgment of Ali (a.s.), which was in favor of the house toward which the fence was facing.’"

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَتَى أَرْضَ رَجُلٍ فَزَرَعَهَا بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ‌ الزَّرْعُ جَاءَ صَاحِبُ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ زَرَعْتَ بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي فَزَرْعُكَ لِي وَ لَكَ عَلَيَّ مَا أَنْفَقْتَ أَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ أَمْ لَا فَقَالَ لِلزَّارِعِ زَرْعُهُ وَ لِصَاحِبِ الْأَرْضِ كِرَى أَرْضِهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who comes to the land of another man and cultivates it without the permission of the owner until it is time of harvests; and the owner comes and says, ‘You have cultivated my land without my permission so your plantation belongs to me

عَلَيْهِ الْكِرَاءُ وَ يُقَوِّمُ صَاحِبُ الدَّارِ الْغَرْسَ وَ الزَّرْعَ قِيمَةَ عَدْلٍ فَيُعْطِيهِ الْغَارِسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ اسْتَأْمَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ الْكِرَاءُ وَ لَهُ الْغَرْسُ وَ الزَّرْعُ يَقْلَعُهُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِهِ حَيْثُ شَاءَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Faddal from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah from Musa ibn ‘Ukayl al-Numayriy from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “About the case of a man who rents a house in which there is a garden, in the garden he plants palm trees and other fruit bearing trees and fruits and

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي النَّخْلَ لِيَقْطَعَهُ لِلْجُذُوعِ فَيَغِيبُ الرَّجُلُ وَ يَدَعُ النَّخْلَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ لَمْ يُقْطَعْ فَيَقْدَمُ الرَّجُلُ وَ قَدْ حَمَلَ النَّخْلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَمْلُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ صَاحِبُ النَّخْلِ كَانَ يَسْقِيهِ وَ يَقُومُ عَلَيْهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who purchases the palm tree to cut for its branches, but he disappears and leaves the palm tree in its original condition without doing anything about it, he comes only when the tree has already pollinated. He (the Imam) said, ‘The po

قَالَ: إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لِلَّهِ جَعَلَهَا وَقْفاً عَلَى عِبَادِهِ فَمَنْ عَطَّلَ أَرْضاً ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ مُتَوَالِيَةً لِغَيْرِ مَا عِلَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ مِنْ يَدِهِ وَ دُفِعَتْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ مُطَالَبَةَ حَقٍّ لَهُ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ فَلَا حَقَّ لَهُ‌[1].

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘The earth belongs to Allah who has made it an endowment for His servants. Whoever keeps a land out of use for three consecutive years without good reason, loses its ownership and it will be given to others, and one who does not demand his right for ten years, then his right ceases to e

مَنْ أُخِذَتْ مِنْهُ أَرْضٌ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ لَا يَطْلُبُهَا لَمْ يَحِلَّ لَهُ بَعْدَ ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ أَنْ يَطْلُبَهَا[2].

‘If you take a land from someone who does not demand it back for three years he loses the right to demand it thereafter.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ دَعْوَةٌ أَحَدُهُمْ رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَأَدَانَهُ بِغَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالشَّهَادَةِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The prayers of four kinds of people are not heard and accepted, one is a man who has an asset which he gives to someone without the presence of any witness and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, ‘Did I not command you to secure the witness?”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ فَذَكَرَ الرَّابِعُ رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَأَدَانَهُ بِغَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالشَّهَادَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The prayers of four kinds of people are not heard and accepted and he (the Imam) said that the fourth one is he who has an asset which he lends it to someone without the presence of witness and testimony; and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then says, “Did I not command you to se

مَنْ ذَهَبَ حَقُّهُ عَلَى غَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ لَمْ يُؤْجَرْ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ سَعْدَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who loses his right just because of not having witnesses, does not receive any reward.’” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Musa ibn Sa‘dan from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), a similar Hadith.

قَالَ لَيْسَ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَّهِمَ مَنِ ائْتَمَنْتَهُ وَ لَا تَأْتَمِنَ الْخَائِنَ وَ قَدْ جَرَّبْتَهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You cannot accuse one whom you trust and you must not trust a treacherous person when you have already tried him.’’’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا كَانَ الْجَوْرُ أَغْلَبَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لَمْ يَحِلَّ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَظُنَّ بِأَحَدٍ خَيْراً حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ.

When injustice is more than the truth, it is not lawful for anyone to think good of anyone until he finds it out to be the case/”

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنِ ائْتَمَنَ غَيْرَ مُؤْتَمَنٍ فَلَا حُجَّةَ لَهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ.

“Abu Ja‘far, once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘One who trusts an untrustworthy one, he does not have good reason and ground before Allah.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَخُنْكَ الْأَمِينُ وَ لَكِنِ ائْتَمَنْتَ الْخَائِنَ.

“I once heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), would say, “A trustworthy person has not betrayed you but you have trusted a treacherous one.’”

مَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ مِنْ عَبِيدِ اللَّهِ كَذِباً إِذَا حَدَّثَ وَ خُلْفاً إِذَا وَعَدَ وَ خِيَانَةً إِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ ثُمَّ ائْتَمَنَهُ عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ كَانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى أَنْ يَبْتَلِيَهُ فِيهَا ثُمَّ لَا يُخْلِفَ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا يَأْجُرَهُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one learns that a servant of the servants of Allah has lied in what he had said, disregarded his promise and betrayed his trust with what he was entrusted, then considers such person trustworthy, it becomes a right before Allah, most High to afflict him with it without any recompense o

كَانَتْ لِإِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع دَنَانِيرُ وَ أَرَادَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ يَا أَبَتِ إِنَّ فُلَاناً يُرِيدُ الْخُرُوجَ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ وَ عِنْدِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا دِينَاراً فَتَرَى أَنْ أَدْفَعَهَا إِلَيْهِ يَبْتَاعُ لِي بِهَا بِضَاعَةً مِنَ الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا بُنَيَّ أَ مَا بَلَغَكَ أَنَّهُ يَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ فَقَالَ إِسْم

‘Isma’il, son of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), had a certain amount of dinar and a man from Quraysh wanted to travel to Yemen, so ‘Isma’il asked his father, ’Father, so and so wants to go to Yemen and I have so and so amount of dinar. Do you think I should give it to him to bring for me goods from Yemen?’ Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا حَدَّثْتُكُمْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَاسْأَلُونِي عَنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نَهَى عَنِ الْقِيلِ وَ الْقَالِ وَ فَسَادِ الْمَالِ وَ كَثْرَةِ السُّؤَالِ‌[2] فَقَالُوا يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ أَيْنَ هَذَا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- لا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْواهُمْ‌ الْآيَةَ[3] وَ قَالَ‌ وَ لا تُؤْتُوا السُّ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you speak to me, ask me about the book of Allah.’ He (the Imam) then in his Hadith said, ‘Allah has prohibited from qil (it was said so), qal (he said so and so on . . .), destruction of assets and a great deal of questions.’ They then asked, ‘O child of the Messenger of Allah, where

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ مَنِ ائْتَمَنَ شَارِبَ الْخَمْرِ عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ بَعْدَ عِلْمِهِ فِيهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ضَمَانٌ وَ لَا أَجْرٌ لَهُ وَ لَا خَلَفٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘If one trusts one who drinks wine, about a trust after knowing that he drinks wine, he has no guarantee for it before Allah or any reward or replacement for h

مَا أُبَالِي ائْتَمَنْتُ خَائِناً أَوْ مُضَيِّعاً[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One’s trusting a treacherous person and wasting assets is a worthless act.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُبْغِضُ الْقِيلَ وَ الْقَالَ وَ إِضَاعَةَ الْمَالِ وَ كَثْرَةَ السُّؤَالِ.

“I once heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, hates qil (it was said so), qal (he said so and so on . . .), wasting assets and asking a great deal of questions.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْبَقَرِ وَ الْغَنَمِ وَ الْإِبِلِ يَكُونُ فِي الرَّعْيِ فَتُفْسِدُ شَيْئاً هَلْ عَلَيْهَا ضَمَانٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ أَفْسَدَتْ نَهَاراً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا ضَمَانٌ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّ أَصْحَابَهُ يَحْفَظُونَهُ وَ إِنْ أَفْسَدَتْ لَيْلًا فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهَا ضَمَانٌ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of cows, sheep and camels in a pasture which destroy certain things; if anyone is held responsible for anything. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they destroy during the day there is no responsibility; the owners must protect them (their belongings);

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ داوُدَ وَ سُلَيْمانَ إِذْ يَحْكُمانِ فِي الْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ الْقَوْمِ‌[3] فَقَالَ لَا يَكُونُ النَّفْشُ إِلَّا بِاللَّيْلِ إِنَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْحَرْثِ أَنْ يَحْفَظَ الْحَرْثَ بِالنَّهَارِ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْمَاشِيَةِ حِفْظُهَا بِالنَّهَارِ وَ إِنَّمَا رَعْيُهَا بِالنَّهَارِ وَ إِرْزَاقُهَا فَمَا أَفْسَدَتْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . and Dawud and Sulayman who judged about the plantation which was damaged by the sheep of the people.’ (21:78) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Such damage can happen only during the night. It is the responsibility of th

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ داوُدَ وَ سُلَيْمانَ إِذْ يَحْكُمانِ فِي الْحَرْثِ‌[1] قُلْتُ حِينَ حَكَمَا فِي الْحَرْثِ كَانَتْ قَضِيَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّينَ قَبْلَ دَاوُدَ إِلَى أَنْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ دَاوُدَ أَيُّ غَنَمٍ نَفَشَتْ‌[2] فِي الْحَرْثِ فَلِصَاحِبِ الْحَرْثِ رِقَابُ الْغَنَمِ وَ لَا يَكُونُ النَّفْشُ إِلَّا بِاللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّ عَ

“I once said abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What is the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “Dawud and Sulayman who issued judgment about the plantation.’” I asked, ‘Was it one issue about which they gave judgment?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, had sent revelation to the p

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فِي رَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ فَاسْتَأْجَرَهُ مِنْهُ صَائِغٌ أَوْ غَيْرُهُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ ضَيَّعَ شَيْئاً أَوْ أَبَقَ مِنْهُ فَمَوَالِيهِ ضَامِنُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, issued judgment in favor of a man whose slave was hired by a goldsmith or another man. The judgment said, ‘If he has caused certain damage or has run away with something, the masters are held responsible. 5 ”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ مَنِ اسْتَعَارَ عَبْداً مَمْلُوكاً لِقَوْمٍ فَعِيبَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ وَ مَنِ اسْتَعَارَ حُرّاً صَغِيراً فَعِيبَ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one uses the services of the slave of a people and causes damage to him, he is responsible. If one uses the works of a small free person and causes damage to that person, he is responsible.”’