The Book of Commerce

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ كَفَلَ لِرَجُلٍ بِنَفْسِ رَجُلٍ فَقَالَ إِنْ جِئْتَ بِهِ وَ إِلَّا عَلَيْكَ خَمْسُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ نَفْسُهُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّرَاهِمِ فَإِنْ قَالَ عَلَيَّ خَمْسُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ إِنْ لَمْ أَدْفَعْهُ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ تَلْزَمُهُ الدَّرَاهِمُ إِنْ لَمْ يَدْفَعْهُ إِلَيْهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who bails out a person assigning his own person as security, and the bailee says, ‘If you did not bring the bailed out person you must pay five hundred dirham . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘The guarantor is required only to present himself

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُحِيلُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ أَ يَرْجِعُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا يَرْجِعُ عَلَيْهِ أَبَداً إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ أَفْلَسَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who assigns another man to collect a certain amount of dirham from his debtor; if the assignee can demand payment from the assignor. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he can never do so unless the debtor was bankrupt before assignment . 555

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَوْلُ النَّاسِ الضَّامِنُ غَارِمٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى الضَّامِنِ غُرْمٌ الْغُرْمُ عَلَى مَنْ أَكَلَ الْمَالَ‌[1].

The bailsman suffers loss . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘The bailsman is not responsible for any loss. The one who has consumed the asset is responsible for the loss.”’

أُتِيَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص بِرَجُلٍ تَكَفَّلَ بِنَفْسِ رَجُلٍ فَحَبَسَهُ فَقَالَ اطْلُبْ صَاحِبَكَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man who had presented his person to bail out another man was brought before ‘Amir al-Mu’minin who placed him in custody and commanded him to present the man whom he had bailed out.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا عُذَافِرُ إِنَّكَ تُعَامِلُ أَبَا أَيُّوبَ وَ الرَّبِيعَ فَمَا حَالُكَ إِذَا نُودِيَ بِكَ فِي أَعْوَانِ الظَّلَمَةِ قَالَ فَوَجَمَ أَبِي‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَمَّا رَأَى مَا أَصَابَهُ أَيْ عُذَافِرُ إِنَّمَا خَوَّفْتُكَ بِمَا خَوَّفَنِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ فَقَدِمَ أَبِي فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مَغْمُوماً مَكْرُوباً حَتَّى مَاتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O ‘Adha’fir, you cooperate with abu Ayyub and al-Rabi‘, how will your condition be when you will be called along with the helpers of unjust ones? He (the narrator) has said that my father became extremely depressed and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), upon seeing the condition of my fath

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَقْبَلَنِي زُرَارَةُ خَارِجاً مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا وَلِيدُ أَ مَا تَعْجَبُ مِنْ زُرَارَةَ سَأَلَنِي عَنْ أَعْمَالِ هَؤُلَاءِ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ يُرِيدُ أَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُولَ لَهُ لَا فَيَرْوِيَ ذَلِكَ عَنِّي ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا وَلِيدُ مَتَى كَانَتِ الشِّيعَةُ تَسْأَلُ عَنْ أَعْمَالِهِمْ إِنَّمَا كَانَتِ الشِّيعَةُ تَقُولُ يُؤْكَلُ مِنْ طَعَام

“I once went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I met Zurarah who received me when he was coming out of the presence of the Imam. He (the Imam) said to me, ‘O Walid, is it not strange to you that Zurarah asks me about working for these people? What does he want me to say? Does he want me to say no, so that he can narr

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ صُونُوا دِينَكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ قَوُّوهُ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءِ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّهُ مَنْ خَضَعَ لِصَاحِبِ سُلْطَانٍ وَ لِمَنْ يُخَالِفُهُ عَلَى دِينِهِ طَلَباً لِمَا فِي يَدَيْهِ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ‌ أَخْمَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[1] وَ مَقَّتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ وَكَلَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ هُوَ غَلَبَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ فَصَارَ إِل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Hadid who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘You must maintain piety before Allah and protect your religion by means of restraint from sins and strengthen your religion by means of taqiyah (caution)

كَانَ لِي صَدِيقٌ مِنْ كُتَّابِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ فَقَالَ لِي اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ دَخَلَ سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ فِي دِيوَانِ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ فَأَصَبْتُ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ مَالًا كَثِيراً وَ أَغْمَضْتُ فِي مَطَالِبِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَوْ لَا أَنَّ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَجَدُوا مَنْ يَكْتُب

“I had a young friend who worked as clerk for Amawide rulers. He asked me to ask permission for a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I asked for permission and it was granted. He came for the meeting, offered greeting of peace and sat down. He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I wo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ أَعْمَالِهِمْ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَا وَ لَا مَدَّةَ قَلَمٍ‌[1] إِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَا يُصِيبُ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَصَابُوا مِنْ دِينِهِ مِثْلَهُ أَوْ قَالَ حَتَّى يُصِيبُوا مِنْ دِينِهِ مِثْلَهُ. الْوَهْمُ مِنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about working for them (sultans). He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, no, not even for moving a pen. For whatever one finds from them of the worldly things, one’s religion is harmed proportionately or that he (the Imam) said that until his religion is harmed; - uncertainty is from Ibn

كُنْتُ قَاعِداً عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع عَلَى بَابِ دَارِهِ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَمُرُّونَ أَفْوَاجاً فَقَالَ لِبَعْضِ مَنْ عِنْدَهُ حَدَثَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ أَمْرٌ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وُلِّيَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَالٍ فَغَدَا النَّاسُ يُهَنِّئُونَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُغْدَى عَلَيْهِ بِالْأَمْرِ تَهَنَّأَ بِهِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَبَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ النَّارِ.

“I once was sitting in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), near the door of his house and he (the Imam) looked at the people passing in throngs and mobs. He (the Imam) asked someone near him, ‘Has anything happened in al-Madinah?’ He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, a new governor is

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا أَصَابَ الرَّجُلَ مِنَّا الضَّيْقُ أَوِ الشِّدَّةُ فَيُدْعَى إِلَى الْبِنَاءِ يَبْنِيهِ أَوِ النَّهَرِ يَكْرِيهِ‌[2] أَوِ الْمُسَنَّاةِ يُصْلِحُهَا فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أُحِبُّ أَنِّي عَقَدْتُ لَهُمْ عُقْدَةً أَوْ وَكَيْتُ لَهُمْ وِكَاءً[3] وَ إِنَّ

‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, one of us may face hardship and straitened conditions and is called to construct a building, work a canal or a dam. What is your decision in such case? He (the Imam) replied, ‘I do not like it. I have knotted for them a knot and tied down the opening end of the bag of ‘no’. It is no a

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فُلَانٌ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ فَقَالَ وَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ قُلْتُ يَسْأَلُونَكَ الدُّعَاءَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا لَهُمْ قُلْتُ حَبَسَهُمْ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ[4] فَقَالَ وَ مَا لَهُمْ وَ مَا لَهُ قُلْتُ اسْتَعْمَلَهُمْ فَحَبَسَهُمْ فَقَالَ وَ مَا لَهُمْ وَ مَا لَهُ أَ لَمْ أَنْهَهُمْ أَ لَمْ أَنْهَهُمْ أَ لَمْ أَنْهَهُمْ هُمُ النَّارُ هُمُ النَّارُ هُمُ النَّارُ قَالَ ثُمّ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘So and so has offered you Salam (greeting of peace) and so also is so and so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Greeting of peace is upon them.’ I then said, ‘They request you to pray for them.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is the matter with them?’ I said, ‘Abu Ja‘far, (Abbaside ruler) has im

كُنْتُ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقَدِمَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحِيرَةَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَوْ كَلَّمْتَ دَاوُدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ أَوْ بَعْضَ هَؤُلَاءِ فَأَدْخُلَ فِي بَعْضِ هَذِهِ الْوِلَايَاتِ فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ لِأَفْعَلَ قَالَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَتَفَكَّرْتُ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَحْسَبُهُ مَنَعَنِي إِلَّا مَخَافَةَ أَنْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أَجُورَ وَ اللَّهِ لآَتِيَنَّهُ وَ لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ الطَّلَاقَ

“A Mawla’ (freed slave or tribal client) of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), told me, ‘I was in al-Kufah when Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), came to al-Hirah and I went to see him. I said to him (the Imam), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can you speak to Dawud ibn Ali or others of these people to admit me

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ مَا تَغْشَى سُلْطَانَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ فِرَاراً بِدِينِي قَالَ فَعَزَمْتَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لِي الْآنَ سَلِمَ لَكَ دِينُكَ.

‘Do you use the power of these people for cover?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not do so.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Why do you not do so?’ I replied, ‘It is because of my running away with my religion.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you determined in this issue?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I am determined.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Now your religi

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْمَكَاسِبِ فَنَهَانِي عَنْهَا فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ وَ اللَّهِ لَضَرَرُ هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ أَشَدُّ مِنْ ضَرَرِ التُّرْكِ وَ الدَّيْلَمِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْوَرِعِ مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ الَّذِي يَتَوَرَّعُ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَجْتَنِبُ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ إِذَا لَمْ يَتَّقِ الشُّبُهَاتِ وَقَعَ فِي الْحَرَامِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْرِفُهُ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about several issues of earning. He (the Imam) prohibited and said, ‘O Fudayl, the losses these people cause to this nation are more severe than the losses that Turks and Daylam may cause.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then asked him (the Imam) about absta

هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يَأْتِي السُّلْطَانَ‌ فَيُحِبُّ بَقَاءَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُدْخِلَ يَدَهُ إِلَى كِيسِهِ فَيُعْطِيَهُ.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not take sides with the unjust ones; consequently the fire will touch you,’ (11:13) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘This is a man who works with the sultan and loves his remaining in power so that he can have a hand in his achievements and receive gran

إِنَّ قَوْماً مِمَّنْ آمَنَ بِمُوسَى ع قَالُوا لَوْ أَتَيْنَا عَسْكَرَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَ كُنَّا فِيهِ وَ نِلْنَا مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ فَإِذَا كَانَ الَّذِي نَرْجُوهُ مِنْ ظُهُورِ مُوسَى ع صِرْنَا إِلَيْهِ فَفَعَلُوا فَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهَ مُوسَى ع وَ مَنْ مَعَهُ إِلَى الْبَحْرِ هَارِبِينَ مِنْ فِرْعَوْنَ رَكِبُوا دَوَابَّهُمْ وَ أَسْرَعُوا فِي السَّيْرِ لِيَلْحَقُوا بِمُوسَى ع وَ عَسْكَرِهِ فَيَكُونُوا مَعَهُمْ فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A people of those who believed in Musa (a.s.) decided to join the army of Pharaoh so that they can benefit from their worldly gains and if Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam succeeded to join him. They did as they had decided to do. When Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam and his followers went to the sea run

وَصَفْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ يَقُولُ بِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِمَّنْ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ السُّلْطَانِ فَقَالَ إِذَا وَلُوكُمْ يُدْخِلُونَ عَلَيْكُمُ الرِّفْقَ‌[1] وَ يَنْفَعُونَكُمْ فِي حَوَائِجِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَا يَفْعَلُ قَالَ مَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُمْ فَابْرَءُوا مِنْهُ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ.

“I once spoke to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about certain people who believe in Divine Authority of ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, but work for the Sultan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They have achieved authority, therefore, they benefit you and help you.’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘Certain ones among them do so and certain other

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي وُلِّيتُ عَمَلًا فَهَلْ لِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَخْرَجٌ فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَنْ طَلَبَ الْمَخْرَجَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَعَسُرَ عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَرَى قَالَ أَرَى أَنْ تَتَّقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا تَعُدْهُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about my becoming the in charge person of a certain work (for the sultan), if there is a way for me out of it. He (the Imam) said, ‘How many are those who want a way out but it becomes difficult for them.’ I then asked, ‘What is your decision? He (the Imam)

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ إِنَّكَ لَتَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ‌ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ قَالَ لِي وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ أَنَا رَجُلٌ لِي مُرُوءَةٌ[1] وَ عَلَيَّ عِيَالٌ وَ لَيْسَ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ لَأَنْ أَسْقُطَ مِنْ حَالِقٍ فَأَتَقَطَّعَ‌[2] قِطْعَةً قِطْعَةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَوَلَّى لِأَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ عَمَلًا أَوْ أَطَأَ بِسَاطَ أَحَدِهِمْ إِلَّ

“I once went to visit abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), and he (the Imam) asked me, ‘O Ziyad, do you work for Sultan ? 5 I replied, ‘Yes, I do so . 5 He (the Imam) said to me, ‘Why do you do so ? 5 I replied, ‘I am a man of fairness and I have a family to feed. I do not have any other means for support . 5 He (the Imam) said,

ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْعِصَابَةِ قَدْ وُلِّيَ وَلَايَةً فَقَالَ كَيْفَ صَنِيعَتُهُ إِلَى إِخْوَانِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ خَيْرٌ فَقَالَ أُفٍّ يَدْخُلُونَ فِيمَا لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُمْ وَ لَا يَصْنَعُونَ إِلَى إِخْوَانِهِمْ خَيْراً.

“In the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), a man of this group (followers of ‘A’immah) was mentioned and that he had become the in charge person of an official position of the rulers. He (the Imam) asked, ‘How is his dealing with his brothers in belief ? 5 I (the narrator) replied, ‘There is nothing good in him in this

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي أَعْمَالِ هَؤُلَاءِ- قَالَ إِنْ كُنْتَ لَا بُدَّ فَاعِلًا فَاتَّقِ أَمْوَالَ الشِّيعَةِ قَالَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي عَلِيٌّ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَجْبِيهَا مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ عَلَانِيَةً وَ يَرُدُّهَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِي السِّرِّ[5].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘How is working for these people ? 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘If you do not have any choice, you must observe caution about properties of al-Shi 5 ah . 5 He (the narrator) has said that Ali told me, ‘He would collect funds from al-Shi 5 ah in public, then return it to them secretly . 555

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً أَسْتَأْذِنُهُ فِي عَمَلِ السُّلْطَانِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ كِتَابٍ كَتَبْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ أَذْكُرُ أَنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَى خَبْطِ عُنُقِي‌[1] وَ أَنَّ السُّلْطَانَ يَقُولُ لِي إِنَّكَ رَافِضِيٌّ وَ لَسْنَا نَشُكُّ فِي أَنَّكَ تَرَكْتَ الْعَمَلَ لِلسُّلْطَانِ لِلرَّفْضِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع قَدْ فَهِمْتُ كِتَابَكَ وَ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَإ

“I wrote to abu al-Hassan, al-Rida 5 (a.s.), for fourteen years asking his permission to work for Sultan. In the last letter I wrote saying that I fear for my life if I did not work for the Sultan, because he calls me a Rafidiy (rejecter) saying, ‘We have no doubt that you have refused to work for the Sultan because of

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ جَبَّارٍ إِلَّا وَ مَعَهُ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدْفَعُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ هُوَ أَقَلُّهُمْ حَظّاً فِي الْآخِرَةِ يَعْنِي أَقَلَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَظّاً لِصُحْبَةِ الْجَبَّارِ.

“I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘With every tyrant there is a believing person with whom Allah defends the believing people, and he (such believing person) receives the least of rewards in the next life because of his association with the tyrant.’”

رَافَقْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي حَجَّ فِيهَا فِي أَوَّلِ خِلَافَةِ الْمُعْتَصِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ أَنَا مَعَهُ عَلَى الْمَائِدَةِ وَ هُنَاكَ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءِ السُّلْطَانِ إِنَّ وَالِيَنَا جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ يَتَوَلَّاكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ يُحِبُّكُمْ وَ عَلَيَّ فِي دِيوَانِهِ خَرَاجٌ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ إِلَيْهِ كِتَاباً بِالْإِحْسَانِ إِلَيَّ فَ

"I accompanied Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) in the year he performed Hajj during the beginning of al-Mu'tasim's caliphate. While we were at the table, and a group of the Sultan's officials were present, I said to him: 'May I be your ransom, our governor is a man who is loyal to you, Ahl al-Bayt, and he loves you. I owe tax

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعَ السُّلْطَانِ أَوْلِيَاءَ يَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَنْ أَوْلِيَائِهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has friends with the Sultan through whom He protects His friends.’”

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ حَكَمٌ السَّرَّاجُ مَا تَرَى فِيمَنْ يَحْمِلُ السُّرُوجَ إِلَى الشَّامِ وَ أَدَاتَهَا فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّكُمْ فِي هُدْنَةٍ فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الْمُبَايَنَةُ حَرُمَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تَحْمِلُوا إِلَيْهِمُ السُّرُوجَ وَ السِّلَاحَ.

‘It is not harmful. Today you are like the companions of the Messenger of Allah. You live in peace time. When there is hostility, then it is unlawful for you to carry to them saddles and arms to them.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَحْمِلُ السِّلَاحَ إِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَأَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُمْ فَلَمَّا أَنْ عَرَّفَنِيَ اللَّهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ ضِقْتُ بِذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ لَا أَحْمِلُ إِلَى أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ احْمِلْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَدُوَّنَا وَ عَدُوَّكُمْ يَعْنِي الرُّومَ وَ بِعْهُمْ فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا فَلَا تَحْمِلُوا فَمَنْ حَمَلَ إِلَ

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I used to carry arms to sell to people of al-Sham. Ever since Allah has helped me to recognize the matter (Divine Authority of ‘A’immah) it bothers me, and I think I must not deliver arms to the enemies of Allah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You can d

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْفِئَتَيْنِ تَلْتَقِيَانِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَاطِلِ أَ نَبِيعُهُمَا السِّلَاحَ قَالَ بِعْهُمَا مَا يَكُنُّهُمَا كَالدِّرْعِ وَ الْخُفَّيْنِ وَ نَحْوِ هَذَا[1].

‘You can sell to them protective materials, like shields and shoes and so on.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي أَبِيعُ السِّلَاحَ قَالَ لَا تَبِعْهُ فِي فِتْنَةٍ.

‘You must not sell them in times of mischief.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْتَرِفَ الْأَمِينَ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يُحِبُّ الْمُؤْمِنَ الْمُحْتَرِفَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, loves persons who are trustworthy and possess technical skills/” In another Hadith it is said, ‘Allah, most High, loves the skillful believer.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حَدِيثٌ بَلَغَنِي عَنِ الْحَسَنِ الْبَصْرِيِّ فَإِنْ كَانَ حَقّاً فَ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ الْحَسَنَ الْبَصْرِيَّ كَانَ يَقُولُ لَوْ غَلَى دِمَاغُهُ مِنْ حَرِّ الشَّمْسِ مَا اسْتَظَلَّ بِحَائِطِ صَيْرَفِيٍّ وَ لَوْ تَفَرَّثَ كَبِدُهُ‌[3] عَطَشاً لَمْ يَسْتَسْقِ مِنْ دَارِ صَيْرَفِيٍّ مَاءً وَ هُوَ عَمَلِي وَ تِجَارَتِي وَ فِيهِ

“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘A Hadith has reached me from al-Hassan al-Basriy. If it is a true Hadith then, ‘We are for Allah and to Him we return.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What does it say?’ ‘I am told that al-Hassan al-Basriy would say that even if his brain comes to a boiling point due to the hot sun, he will n

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُعَالِجُ الدَّقِيقَ وَ أَبِيعُهُ وَ النَّاسُ يَقُولُونَ لَا يَنْبَغِي فَقَالَ لَهُ الرِّضَا ع وَ مَا بَأْسُهُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يُبَاعُ إِذَا اتَّقَى اللَّهَ فِيهِ الْعَبْدُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I heard a man asking abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), saying, ‘I prepare (special kind of flour) and sell it but people say that it should not be done.’ Al-Rida (a.s.), said to him, ‘What is wrong with it? There is no offense in selling things in which a servant maintains piety before Allah.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَخَبَّرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ وُلِدَ لِي غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَا سَمَّيْتَهُ مُحَمَّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ قَالَ فَلَا تَضْرِبْ مُحَمَّداً وَ لَا تَسُبَّهُ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَكَ فِي حَيَاتِكَ وَ خَلَفَ صِدْقٍ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِي أَيِّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَضَعُهُ قَالَ إِذَا عَدَلْتَهُ عَنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ فَضَعْهُ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ لَا تُسْلِمْهُ صَ

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him of the birth of my son. He asked, ‘Why do you not name him Muhammad?’ I replied, ‘I have already done so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘You must not beat up a Muhammad and do not abuse him. Allah will make him the delight to your eyes during your life time as well as

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ: إِنِّي أَعْطَيْتُ خَالَتِي غُلَاماً وَ نَهَيْتُهَا أَنْ تَجْعَلَهُ قَصَّاباً أَوْ حَجَّاماً أَوْ صَائِغاً[4].

‘I gave a boy to my aunt and prohibited her from making him a butcher, cupping person or a jewelry carver.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعِي ثَوْبَانِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا إِسْمَاعِيلَ يَجِيئُنِي مِنْ قِبَلِكُمْ أَثْوَابٌ كَثِيرَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ يَجِيئُنِي مِثْلُ هَذَيْنِ الثَّوْبَيْنِ اللَّذَيْنِ تَحْمِلُهُمَا أَنْتَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ تَغْزِلُهُمَا أُمُّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ أَنْسِجُهُمَا أَنَا فَقَالَ لِي حَائِكٌ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَا تَكُنْ حَائِكاً قُلْتُ فَمَا أَكُونُ قَالَ كُنْ صَيْقَلًا وَ كَانَتْ

“Once I visited Abu ’Abdullah (a.s). I had two pieces of fabric materials with me. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Abu Isma'il, from your area people bring us many kinds of fabrics but not like these two pieces that you carry.’ I said, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, the mother of Isma’il prepares thr

دَخَلَ عِيسَى بْنُ شَفَقِيٍ‌[2] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ كَانَ سَاحِراً يَأْتِيهِ النَّاسُ وَ يَأْخُذُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْأَجْرَ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَنَا رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ صِنَاعَتِيَ السِّحْرَ وَ كُنْتُ آخُذُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْأَجْرَ وَ كَانَ مَعَاشِي وَ قَدْ حَجَجْتُ مِنْهُ وَ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ بِلِقَائِكَ وَ قَدْ تُبْتُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَهَلْ لِي فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَخْرَجٌ قَالَ فَ

‘Once ‘Isa ibn Shafaqiy visited abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam. He was a magician. People would come to him and he charged them a certain amount for wages. He said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I work as a magician and I charge a certain amount as my wages to earn for my living. From suc

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ كَسْبِ الْحَجَّامِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا لَمْ يُشَارِطْ.

There is no offense in the earning by such means, if it is not with an established pre-condition.’”

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعَنَا فَرْقَدٌ الْحَجَّامُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَعْمَلُ عَمَلًا وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ غَيْرَ وَاحِدٍ وَ لَا اثْنَيْنِ فَزَعَمُوا أَنَّهُ عَمَلٌ مَكْرُوهٌ وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ مَكْرُوهاً انْتَهَيْتُ عَنْهُ وَ عَمِلْتُ غَيْرَهُ مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ فَإِنِّي مُنْتَهٍ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْلِكَ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ حَجَّامٌ قَال

“Once we visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Farqad al-Hajjam was also with us. He (Farqad) asked him (the Imam) saying, ’May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, I perform a certain kind of work and I have asked more than one person about the legal status of what I do and they think it is a detestable work

احْتَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حَجَمَهُ مَوْلًى لِبَنِي بَيَاضَةَ وَ أَعْطَاهُ وَ لَوْ كَانَ حَرَاماً مَا أَعْطَاهُ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَيْنَ الدَّمُ قَالَ شَرِبْتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ يَنْبَغِي لَكَ أَنْ تَفْعَلَ وَ قَدْ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَكَ حِجَاباً مِنَ النَّارِ فَلَا تَعُدْ[2].

“Abu Ja’far (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, did use cupping services. A Mawla’ (slave) of banu Bayada performed cupping service for the Messenger of Allah and paid for such services. Had it been unlawful he woul

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ كَسْبِ الْحَجَّامِ فَقَالَ مَكْرُوهٌ لَهُ أَنْ يُشَارِطَ وَ لَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تُشَارِطَهُ وَ تُمَاكِسَهُ وَ إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ لَهُ وَ لَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكَ‌[3].

‘It is detestable for him to establish stipulations (to receive payment), but there is no offense in establishing stipulations to receive payment and bargaining for the price. It is only detestable but there is no offense for you to receive payment.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ كَسْبِ الْحَجَّامِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ قُلْتُ أَجْرُ التُّيُوسِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الْعَرَبُ لَتَعَايَرُ بِهِ وَ لَا بَأْسَ.

There is no offense in it.’ I then asked about income from he-goat for goat-grooming. He (the Imam) replied, ’Even though Arab people consider it scornful, there is no offense in receiving such income.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبِي يَا جَعْفَرُ أَوْقِفْ لِي مِنْ مَالِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا لِنَوَادِبَ تَنْدُبُنِي عَشْرَ سِنِينَ بِمِنًى أَيَّامَ مِنًى‌[1].

"My father said to me, ‘O Ja‘far, assign a certain amount from my so-and-so properties as endowment, so payments can be made to people who will eulogize to mourn for me in Mina for ten years.’”

مَاتَ الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص إِنَّ آلَ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَدْ أَقَامُوا مَنَاحَةً فَأَذْهَبُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَأَذِنَ لَهَا فَلَبِسَتْ ثِيَابَهَا وَ تَهَيَّأَتْ وَ كَانَتْ مِنْ حُسْنِهَا كَأَنَّهَا جَانٌّ وَ كَانَتْ إِذَا قَامَتْ فَأَرْخَتْ شَعْرَهَا جَلَّلَ جَسَدَهَا[2] وَ عَقَدَتْ بِطَرَفَيْهِ خَلْخَالَهَا فَنَدَبَتِ ابْنَ عَمِّهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ- أَنْعَ

‘When al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah died, ‘Umm Salamah asked the Holy Prophet, for permission. She said, “The family of al-Mughirah has organized a gathering to mourn for al-Walid. Can I also attend their gathering?” The Holy Prophet granted her permission. She dressed up. She was beautiful like a fairy. When standing she r

كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مَعَنَا فِي الْحَيِّ وَ لَهَا جَارِيَةٌ نَائِحَةٌ فَجَاءَتْ إِلَى أَبِي فَقَالَتْ يَا عَمِّ أَنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مَعِيشَتِي مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْجَارِيَةِ النَّائِحَةِ وَ قَدْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ حَلَالًا وَ إِلَّا بِعْتُهَا وَ أَكَلْتُ مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ‌ بِالْفَرَجِ فَقَالَ لَهَا أَبِي وَ اللَّهِ

“In our neighborhood there was a woman who had a slave-girl who sang eulogies. She came to my father and said, ‘O Uncle, you know about my means of living from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and then it is from this slave-girl’s singing eulogies. I like if you ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for me about it if it is l

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ قَدْ سُئِلَ عَنْ كَسْبِ النَّائِحَةِ قَالَ تَسْتَحِلُّهُ بِضَرْبِ إِحْدَى يَدَيْهَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, when he was asked about the income from eulogies, ‘She can make it lawful by tapping one of her hands against the other.’”

لَمَّا هَاجَرَتِ النِّسَاءُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص هَاجَرَتْ فِيهِنَّ امْرَأَةٌ يُقَالُ لَهَا أُمُّ حَبِيبٍ وَ كَانَتْ خَافِضَةً تَخْفِضُ الْجَوَارِيَ فَلَمَّا رَآهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لَهَا يَا أُمَّ حَبِيبٍ الْعَمَلُ الَّذِي كَانَ فِي يَدِكِ هُوَ فِي يَدِكِ الْيَوْمَ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ حَرَاماً فَتَنْهَانِي عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ حَلَالٌ فَادْنِي مِنِّي حَتَّى أُعَلِّمَكِ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When women migrated toward the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, among them there was a woman called ‘Umm Habib and she circumcised girls. When the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muha

دَخَلَتْ مَاشِطَةٌ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ لَهَا هَلْ تَرَكْتِ عَمَلَكِ أَوْ أَقَمْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا أَعْمَلُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ تَنْهَانِي عَنْهُ فَأَنْتَهِيَ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لَهَا افْعَلِي فَإِذَا مَشَطْتِ فَلَا تَجْلِي الْوَجْهَ بِالْخِرَقِ فَإِنَّهَا تَذْهَبُ بِمَاءِ الْوَجْهِ وَ لَا تَصِلِي الشَّعْرَ بِالشَّعْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Once a hairdresser came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he asked her, ‘Have you stopped the work you were doing or not?’ She replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I still do it unless you

سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْقَرَامِلِ الَّتِي تَضَعُهَا النِّسَاءُ فِي رُءُوسِهِنَّ يَصِلْنَهُ بِشُعُورِهِنَ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ بِمَا تَزَيَّنَتْ بِهِ لِزَوْجِهَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَعَنَ الْوَاصِلَةَ وَ الْمَوْصُولَةَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُنَاكَ إِنَّمَا لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْوَاصِلَةَ الَّتِي تَزْنِي فِي شَبَابِهَا فَلَمَّا كَبِرَتْ قَادَتِ النِّسَاءَ إ

“Abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, was asked about women’s decorating their hairs with silk fibers or hairs and so on. He (the Imam) replied, ‘There is no offense in women’s beautifying themselves for their husbands.’ I (the narrator) said, ‘We are told that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad an

كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ يُقَالُ لَهَا أُمُّ طَيْبَةَ تَخْفِضُ الْجَوَارِيَ فَدَعَاهَا النَّبِيُّ ص فَقَالَ لَهَا يَا أُمَّ طَيْبَةَ إِذَا خَفَضْتِ الْجَوَارِيَ فَأَشِمِّي وَ لَا تُجْحِفِي فَإِنَّهُ أَصْفَى لِلَوْنِ الْوَجْهِ وَ أَحْظَى عِنْدَ الْبَعْلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘There was a woman called ‘Umm Taybah. She would circumcise girls. The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, called her and said to her, ‘O ‘Umm Taybah, when you circumcise girls do not allow it to become