The Book of Commerce

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ كَسْبِ الْمُغَنِّيَاتِ فَقَالَ الَّتِي يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهَا الرِّجَالُ حَرَامٌ وَ الَّتِي تُدْعَى إِلَى الْأَعْرَاسِ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ‌[3].

“I once asked Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the legal status of the income from female music playing singers. He (the Imam) said, ’Such singing and playing music of females where men are also present is unlawful. There is no offense in inviting female singers on the occasion of a wedding program. It is in the words of Allah

الْمُغَنِّيَةُ الَّتِي تَزُفُّ الْعَرَائِسَ لَا بَأْسَ بِكَسْبِهَا.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ’The income of a female singer who attends wedding ceremonies is lawful.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَجْرُ الْمُغَنِّيَةِ الَّتِي تَزُفُّ الْعَرَائِسَ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ لَيْسَتْ بِالَّتِي يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهَا الرِّجَالُ.

‘The payment that a female singer receives from singing in wedding ceremonies is lawful, provided men do not attend her singing program.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ شِرَاءِ الْمُغَنِّيَةِ فَقَالَ قَدْ تَكُونُ لِلرَّجُلِ الْجَارِيَةُ تُلْهِيهِ وَ مَا ثَمَنُهَا إِلَّا ثَمَنُ كَلْبٍ وَ ثَمَنُ الْكَلْبِ سُحْتٌ وَ السُّحْتُ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), was asked about the legal status of purchasing a female singer. He (the Imam) said, ‘Sometimes a slave-girl of a man makes him go astray. What is then paid for such a slave-girl is like payment to purchase a dog. Payment for a dog is Suht (unlawful and filthy) and Suht is in the fire.’”

سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ بَيْعِ الْجَوَارِي الْمُغَنِّيَاتِ فَقَالَ شِرَاؤُهُنَّ وَ بَيْعُهُنَّ حَرَامٌ‌[3] وَ تَعْلِيمُهُنَّ كُفْرٌ وَ اسْتِمَاعُهُنَّ نِفَاقٌ.

“A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about selling slave-girl singers. He (the Imam) said, ‘Buying and selling them is unlawful, teaching them (singing) is disbelief and listening to them is hypocrisy.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُغَنِّيَةُ مَلْعُونَةٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ أَكَلَ كَسْبَهَا.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘A singer female is condemned, and condemned is one who consumes the income from her singing.’”

أَوْصَى إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عُمَرَ عِنْدَ وَفَاتِهِ بِجَوَارٍ لَهُ مُغَنِّيَاتٍ أَنْ نَبِيعَهُنَّ وَ نَحْمِلَ ثَمَنَهُنَّ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَبِعْتُ الْجَوَارِيَ بِثَلَاثِمِائَةِ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ حَمَلْتُ الثَّمَنَ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ مَوْلًى لَكَ يُقَالُ لَهُ- إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عُمَرَ قَدْ أَوْصَى عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ بِبَيْعِ جَوَارٍ لَهُ مُغَنِّيَاتٍ وَ حَمْلِ الثَّمَنِ إِلَيْكَ وَ قَدْ بِعْ

“Ishaq ibn ‘Umar made a will about his singer slave-girls at the time when he was about to die that said, ‘They must be sold and funds from their sale delivered to abu al-Hassan (a.s.). Ibrahim has said, ‘I sold the slave-girls for three hundred thousand dirham and took it to him (the Imam) and said, ‘One of your follo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ التَّعْلِيمِ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْخُذْ عَلَى التَّعْلِيمِ أَجْراً[1] قُلْتُ الشِّعْرُ وَ الرَّسَائِلُ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَ ذَلِكَ أُشَارِطُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الصِّبْيَانُ عِنْدَكَ سَوَاءً[2] فِي التَّعْلِيمِ لَا تُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ.

'Do not take a fee for teaching.' I then asked: 'What about poetry, letters, and the like? Can I charge for them?' He said: 'Yes, as long as the children under your instruction are treated equally in teaching, and you do not show favoritism between them.'

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَؤُلَاءِ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ كَسْبَ الْمُعَلِّمِ سُحْتٌ فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا أَعْدَاءُ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَنْ لَا يُعَلِّمُوا الْقُرْآنَ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ الْمُعَلِّمَ أَعْطَاهُ رَجُلٌ دِيَةَ وَلَدِهِ لَكَانَ لِلْمُعَلِّمِ مُبَاحاً.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘They say that receiving payment for teaching is Suht (filthy and unlawful). He (the Imam) said, ‘They, the enemies of Allah, have spoken a lie. They want to stop teaching of al-Quran. If one gives blood money for his child to a teacher it (payment) is lawful for the teacher.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمَصَاحِفَ لَنْ تُشْتَرَى فَإِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا أَشْتَرِي مِنْكَ الْوَرَقَ وَ مَا فِيهِ مِنَ الْأَدَمِ وَ حِلْيَتِهِ وَ مَا فِيهِ مِنْ عَمَلِ يَدِكَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا.

‘Pages (of al-Quran) can never be bought; if you buy say, ‘I buy from you the sheet and whatever is in it, like skin and decoration and the work of your hand for such and such amount.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ بَيْعِ الْمَصَاحِفِ وَ شِرَائِهَا فَقَالَ لَا تَشْتَرِ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَكِنِ اشْتَرِ الْحَدِيدَ[3] وَ الْوَرَقَ وَ الدَّفَّتَيْنِ وَ قُلْ أَشْتَرِي مِنْكَ هَذَا بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about buying and selling pages of al-Quran. He (the Imam) said, ‘The book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, cannot be purchased but iron sheets and covers can be bought. One can say, ‘I buy from you such and such items for such and such amount.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ شِرَاءِ الْمَصَاحِفِ وَ بَيْعِهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يُوضَعُ الْوَرَقُ‌[1] عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ وَ كَانَ مَا بَيْنَ الْمِنْبَرِ وَ الْحَائِطِ قَدْرَ مَا تَمُرُّ الشَّاةُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ مُنْحَرِفٌ قَالَ فَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ يَأْتِي وَ يَكْتُبُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمُ اشْتَرَوْا بَعْدَ [ذَلِكَ‌] قُلْتُ فَمَا تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ لِي أَشْتَرِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَبِيعَهُ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَرَى أَنْ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about buying pages of al- Quran and selling them. He (the Imam) said, ‘Only pages (of al-Quran) were placed near the pulpit. The passage between the wall and the pulpit was no bigger than what a sheep could pass through or a man in a sideways manner.’ He (th

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ أَنَا رَجُلٌ أَبِيعُ الْمَصَاحِفَ فَإِنْ نَهَيْتَنِي لَمْ أَبِعْهَا فَقَالَ أَ لَسْتَ تَشْتَرِي وَرَقاً وَ تَكْتُبُ فِيهِ قُلْتُ بَلَى وَ أُعَالِجُهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of my selling al-Quran saying, ‘If you prohibit I stop selling.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is it not the case that you buy pages and write down on them?’ I replied, ‘Yes, that is true and I put more work in it.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harm

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْباطِلِ‌[2] فَقَالَ كَانَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تُقَامِرُ الرَّجُلَ بِأَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ فَنَهَاهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْ ذَلِكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not consume your assets in invalid dealings among your selves. . . (2:184) He (the Imam) said, ‘Among Quraysh a man gambled even his wife and property. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, pr

لَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌ - إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَ الْمَيْسِرُ وَ الْأَنْصابُ وَ الْأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ‌[1] قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الْمَيْسِرُ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَا تُقُومِرَ بِهِ حَتَّى الْكِعَابُ وَ الْجَوْزُ قِيلَ فَمَا الْأَنْصَابُ قَالَ مَا ذَبَحُوهُ لآِلِهَتِهِمْ قِيلَ فَمَا الْأَزْلَامُ قَالَ قِدَاحُهُمُ الَّتِي يَسْتَقْسِمُونَ بِهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that when Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent to His Messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, the following verse, ‘Wine, gambling, idols and gambling arrows are of the filthy deeds of Satan, you must avoid them’ (5:93),

بَعَثَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع غُلَاماً يَشْتَرِي لَهُ بَيْضاً فَأَخَذَ الْغُلَامُ بَيْضَةً أَوْ بَيْضَتَيْنِ فَقَامَرَ بِهَا فَلَمَّا أَتَى بِهِ أَكَلَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلًى لَهُ إِنَّ فِيهِ مِنَ الْقِمَارِ قَالَ فَدَعَا بِطَشْتٍ فَتَقَيَّأَهُ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from all from ibn Mahbub from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from ‘Abd al-Hamid ibn Sa‘id who has said the following: “Once, abu al-Hassan ‘Alayhi al-Salam, sent one of the slaves to buy eggs for him. The slave took one or two eggs

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزْنِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ حِينَ يَسْرِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَنْهَبُ نُهْبَةً ذَاتَ شَرَفٍ‌[2] حِينَ يَنْهَبُهَا وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ ابْنُ سِنَانٍ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْجَارُودِ وَ مَا نُهْبَةٌ ذَاتُ شَرَفٍ قَالَ نَحْوُ مَا صَنَعَ حَاتِمٌ حِينَ قَالَ مَنْ أَخَذَ شَيْئاً فَهُوَ لَهُ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A fornicator does not fornicate while he is a believing person, a thief does not steal while he is a believing person and an honorable person does not do Nahbah Dhata Sharaf (an honor-loot)

لَا تَصْلُحُ الْمُقَامَرَةُ وَ لَا النُّهْبَةُ.

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘Gambling and plundering are not righteous deeds.’”

كَانَ يَنْهَى عَنِ الْجَوْزِ يَجِي‌ءُ بِهِ الصِّبْيَانُ مِنَ الْقِمَارِ أَنْ يُؤْكَلَ وَ قَالَ هُوَ سُحْتٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would prohibit utilization of walnuts, that children bring after using in gambling, saying that it is Suht (filthy), unlawful.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ النُّثَارِ مِنَ السُّكَّرِ وَ اللَّوْزِ وَ أَشْبَاهِهِ أَ يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ قَالَ يُكْرَهُ أَكْلُ مَا انْتُهِبَ‌[3].

about the case of what is spread of sugar, almond and so on, on happy occasions if is permissible. He (the Imam) said, ’It is detestable to consume what is plundered.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْإِمْلَاكُ يَكُونُ وَ الْعُرْسُ فَيُنْثَرُ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ حَرَامٌ وَ لَكِنْ مَا أَعْطَوْكَ مِنْهُ فَخُذْهُ.[1]

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what people scatter on certain people during an entertaining occasion or wedding ceremony. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is unlawful but what they give, you can take it.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْمَيْسِرُ هُوَ الْقِمَارُ.

‘Al-Maysir is gambling.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الصِّبْيَانُ يَلْعَبُونَ بِالْجَوْزِ وَ الْبَيْضِ وَ يُقَامِرُونَ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ حَرَامٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of children who play with walnuts and eggs and gamble. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not consume them for food; it is unlawful.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي هَذِهِ الْمَكَاسِبُ الْحَرَامُ وَ الشَّهْوَةُ الْخَفِيَّةِ وَ الرِّبَا[2].

“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, has said, ‘What I fear most for my followers after me are these unlawful earnings, concealed desire and unlawful interest.’”

أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا يَجُزْنَ‌[3] فِي أَرْبَعٍ الْخِيَانَةُ وَ الْغُلُولُ وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ الرِّبَا لَا يَجُزْنَ‌[4] فِي حَجٍّ وَ لَا عُمْرَةٍ وَ لَا جِهَادٍ وَ لَا صَدَقَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Four things are not lawful in four issues: treachery, excessiveness, theft and unlawful interest are not lawful in al-Hajj, al-‘Umrah, Jihad and charity.’”

إِذَا اكْتَسَبَ الرَّجُلُ مَالًا مِنْ غَيْرِ حِلِّهِ ثُمَّ حَجَّ فَلَبَّى نُودِيَ لَا لَبَّيْكَ وَ لَا سَعْدَيْكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ حِلِّهِ فَلَبَّى نُودِيَ لَبَّيْكَ وَ سَعْدَيْكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a person earns in unlawful ways, then uses such income for the expenses of al-Hajj and says al-Talbiyah (here I am O Lord, to obey Your command) it is called about him, “You are not welcome and there is no salvation for you.” If it (earning) is through lawful ways upon his saying T

كَسْبُ الْحَرَامِ يَبِينُ فِي الذُّرِّيَّةِ.[1]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The effects of unlawful earning shows up in one’s offspring.’”

أَتَى رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي كَسَبْتُ مَالًا أَغْمَضْتُ فِي مَطَالِبِهِ حَلَالًا وَ حَرَاماً وَ قَدْ أَرَدْتُ التَّوْبَةَ وَ لَا أَدْرِي الْحَلَالَ مِنْهُ وَ الْحَرَامَ وَ قَدِ اخْتَلَطَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع تَصَدَّقْ بِخُمُسِ مَالِكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ اسْمُهُ رَضِيَ مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِالْخُمُسِ وَ سَائِرُ الْأَمْوَالِ لَكَ حَلَالٌ‌[2].

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin saying, ‘In my earnings I have been neglectful about lawful and unlawful matters, and I want to repent, but I do not know which item in

تَشَوَّفَتِ الدُّنْيَا لِقَوْمٍ حَلَالًا مَحْضاً فَلَمْ يُرِيدُوهَا فَدَرَجُوا- ثُمَّ تَشَوَّفَتْ لِقَوْمٍ حَلَالًا وَ شُبْهَةً[3] فَقَالُوا لَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِي الشُّبْهَةِ وَ تَوَسَّعُوا مِنَ الْحَلَالِ ثُمَّ تَشَوَّفَتْ لِقَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ حَرَاماً وَ شُبْهَةً فَقَالُوا لَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِي الْحَرَامِ وَ تَوَسَّعُوا فِي الشُّبْهَةِ ثُمَّ تَشَوَّفَتْ لِقَوْمٍ حَرَاماً مَحْضاً فَيَطْلُبُونَهَا فَلَا يَجِدُونَهَا وَ

The world tried to attract a people with purely lawful matters but they passed (without paying any attention) away. Then it tried to attract another people with lawful and doubtful matters and they said, “We do not need any doubtful matters.” However, they expanded the lawful matters. It then tried to attract another p

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ يَا دَاوُدُ إِنَّ الْحَرَامَ لَا يَنْمِي وَ إِنْ نَمَى لَا يُبَارَكُ لَهُ فِيهِ وَ مَا أَنْفَقَهُ لَمْ يُؤْجَرْ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا خَلَّفَهُ كَانَ زَادَهُ إِلَى النَّارِ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Dawud al-Sarmiy who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said to me, £ 0 Dawud, unlawful earnings do not grow. Even if anything grows, it does not have any blessings for him: what he spends does not bring any reward for him and what he leaves behind becomes his suppli

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ رَجُلٌ اشْتَرَى مِنْ رَجُلٍ ضَيْعَةً أَوْ خَادِماً بِمَالٍ أَخَذَهُ مِنْ قَطْعِ الطَّرِيقِ أَوْ مِنْ سَرِقَةٍ هَلْ يَحِلُّ لَهُ مَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ ثَمَرَةِ هَذِهِ الضَّيْعَةِ أَوْ يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَطَأَ هَذَا الْفَرْجَ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ مِنَ السَّرِقَةِ أَوْ مِنْ قَطْعِ الطَّرِيقِ فَوَقَّعَ ع لَا خَيْرَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَصْلُهُ حَرَامٌ وَ لَا يَحِلُّ اسْ

’Nothing is good in whatever originates from an unlawful source; and using such matters is not lawful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ مَالًا مِنْ عَمَلِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَ هُوَ يَتَصَدَّقُ مِنْهُ وَ يَصِلُ مِنْهُ قَرَابَتَهُ وَ يَحُجُّ لِيُغْفَرَ لَهُ مَا اكْتَسَبَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ- إِنَّ الْحَسَناتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئاتِ‌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الْخَطِيئَةَ لَا تُكَفِّرُ الْخَطِيئَةَ وَ لَكِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ تَحُطُّ الْخَطِيئَةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ خَلَطَ الْحَلَالَ بِالْحَرَامِ ف

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had found a certain amount of property from banu ’Umayyah. He gives charity thereof, helps hi

إِنْ كَانَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ لَأَشَدَّ بَيَاضاً مِنَ الْقَبَاطِيِّ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهَا كُونِي هَبَاءً وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا شُرِعَ لَهُمُ الْحَرَامُ أَخَذُوهُ.[3]

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘We arrived upon what they had done and turned it into scattered dust’, (25:25) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Even if their deeds are whiter than Coptic fabrics Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “Become dust.” It is because when they come upon unlawf

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْغُلُولِ قَالَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ غُلَّ مِنَ الْإِمَامِ فَهُوَ سُحْتٌ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ وَ شِبْهُهُ سُحْتٌ وَ السُّحْتُ أَنْوَاعٌ كَثِيرَةٌ مِنْهَا أُجُورُ الْفَوَاجِرِ وَ ثَمَنُ الْخَمْرِ وَ النَّبِيذِ الْمُسْكِرِ وَ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ فَأَمَّا الرِّشَا فِي الْحُكْمِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ الْكُفْرُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِرَسُولِهِ ص‌[4].

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from ‘Ammar ibn Marwan who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about seizing (other’s assets). He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever of the belonging of the Imam seized is Suht (unlawful

السُّحْتُ ثَمَنُ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ ثَمَنُ الْكَلْبِ‌[1] وَ ثَمَنُ الْخَمْرِ وَ مَهْرُ الْبَغِيِّ وَ الرِّشْوَةُ فِي الْحُكْمِ وَ أَجْرُ الْكَاهِنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Receiving payment for carcasses, dogs, wine, indecent (sexual) relation and a bribe to issue a judgment and payment for foretelling is Suht (unlawful and filthy).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ السُّحْتُ أَنْوَاعٌ كَثِيرَةٌ مِنْهَا كَسْبُ الْحَجَّامِ‌[2] إِذَا شَارَطَ وَ أَجْرُ الزَّانِيَةِ وَ ثَمَنُ الْخَمْرِ فَأَمَّا الرِّشَا فِي الْحُكْمِ فَهُوَ الْكُفْرُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There are many kinds of Suht (unlawful and filthy). Of such matters is income from cupping on the basis of a condition (for payment), payment for indecent acts of (sexual) relation and payment for wine. Accepting a bribe is however, disbelief in Allah, most Great.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السُّحْتِ فَقَالَ الرِّشَا فِي الْحُكْمِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Suht (unlawful and filthy). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is accepting a bribe to issue a judgment.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ثَمَنِ الْكَلْبِ الَّذِي لَا يَصِيدُ فَقَالَ سُحْتٌ فَأَمَّا الصَّيُودُ فَلَا بَأْسَ‌[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about payment for dogs that do not hunt. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is Suht (unlawful and filthy), however, payment for a hunting dog is not Suht (unlawful and filthy).”’

مَنْ بَاتَ سَاهِراً فِي كَسْبٍ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِ الْعَيْنَ حَظَّهَا[4] مِنَ النَّوْمِ فَكَسْبُهُ ذَلِكَ حَرَامٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one works the whole night without giving the eyes their share of sleep, such earning is unlawful.’”

الصُّنَّاعُ إِذَا سَهِرُوا اللَّيْلَ كُلَّهُ فَهُوَ سُحْتٌ.[5]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a technician remains awake the whole night working, his earning becomes Suht (unlawful and filthy).’”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ كَسْبِ الْإِمَاءِ فَإِنَّهَا إِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ زَنَتْ إِلَّا أَمَةً قَدْ عُرِفَتْ بِصَنْعَةِ يَدٍ وَ نَهَى عَنْ كَسْبِ الْغُلَامِ الَّذِي لَا يُحْسِنُ صِنَاعَةً بِيَدِهِ فَإِنَّهُ إِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ سَرَقَ.

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, prohibited earning of slave-girls because if they cannot find work, they fornicate, except for a slave-girl who knows a skill and she is better than a slave-boy who

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوْعَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ بِعُقُوبَتَيْنِ إِحْدَاهُمَا عُقُوبَةُ الْآخِرَةِ النَّارُ وَ أَمَّا عُقُوبَةُ الدُّنْيَا فَقَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لْيَخْشَ الَّذِينَ‌ لَوْ تَرَكُوا مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعافاً خافُوا عَلَيْهِمْ‌ الْآيَةَ[1] يَعْنِي لِيَخْشَ أَنْ أَخْلُفَهُ فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْيَتَامَى.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has issued two kinds of warnings about consuming properties of orphans. One is the suffering by the fire in the next life

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَكْلِ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ فَقَالَ هُوَ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوالَ الْيَتامى‌ ظُلْماً إِنَّما يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ ناراً وَ سَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيراً[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ ع مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ مَنْ عَالَ يَتِيماً حَتَّى يَنْقَطِعَ يُتْمُهُ أَوْ يَسْتَغْنِيَ بِنَفْسِهِ أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ الْجَنَّةَ كَمَا أَوْجَبَ الن

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who consumes the properties of orphans. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is as Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “Those who consume the properties of orphans unjustly, they only consume fire in their bellies and will feel the heat

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي يَدِهِ مَالٌ لِأَيْتَامٍ فَيَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَمُدُّ يَدَهُ فَيَأْخُذُهُ وَ يَنْوِي أَنْ يَرُدَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ إِلَّا الْقَصْدَ لَا يُسْرِفُ‌[3] فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ أَنْ لَا يَرُدَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَهُوَ بِالْمَنْزِلِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوالَ الْيَتامى‌ ظُلْماً[4].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who in his hand has properties of orphans and is needy. He extends his hand to take a certain amount with the intention to return. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not proper for him to consume it, except with moderation and without excess; but if his intention is n

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَخٍ لَنَا فِي بَيْتِ أَيْتَامٍ وَ مَعَهُمْ خَادِمٌ لَهُمْ فَنَقْعُدُ عَلَى بِسَاطِهِمْ وَ نَشْرَبُ مِنْ مَائِهِمْ وَ يَخْدُمُنَا خَادِمُهُمْ وَ رُبَّمَا طَعِمْنَا فِيهِ الطَّعَامَ مِنْ عِنْدِ صَاحِبِنَا وَ فِيهِ مِنْ طَعَامِهِمْ فَمَا تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي دُخُولِكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ مَنْفَعَةٌ لَهُمْ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ ضَرَرٌ فَلَا وَ ق

“Once it was said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We visit a brother in belief in the house of orphans with their servant. We sit on their furnishings, drink from their water and their servant serves us and perhaps eat of the food of our friend in which there is the orphans’ food also. What do you say about it? He (the Imam

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِيَ ابْنَةَ أَخٍ يَتِيمَةً فَرُبَّمَا أُهْدِيَ لَهَا الشَّيْ‌ءُ فَآكُلُ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ أُطْعِمُهَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ الشَّيْ‌ءَ مِنْ مَالِي فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ هَذَا بِهَذَا فَقَالَ ع لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have an orphan girl of my brother. At certain times gifts are given to her and I eat a certain amount thereof. Thereafter I feed her a certain amount from my properties and I say, “O Lord, this is for what I have used.” He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘It is not harmful.”’

مَنْ كَانَ يَلِي شَيْئاً لِلْيَتَامَى وَ هُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ لَيْسَ لَهُ مَا يُقِيمُهُ فَهُوَ يَتَقَاضَى أَمْوَالَهُمْ‌[3] وَ يَقُومُ فِي ضَيْعَتِهِمْ فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِقَدَرٍ وَ لَا يُسْرِفْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ ضَيْعَتُهُمْ لَا تَشْغَلُهُ عَمَّا يُعَالِجُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَلَا يَرْزَأَنَّ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ شَيْئاً.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘One who is poor can eat to the proper limit’, (4:6) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is one who manages the properties of orphans but is needy and does not have anything to support himself. He collects debts that people owe to them (orphans) and looks after

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنْ‌ تُخالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوانُكُمْ‌ قَالَ يَعْنِي الْيَتَامَى إِذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ يَلِي لِأَيْتَامٍ فِي حَجْرِهِ فَلْيُخْرِجْ مِنْ مَالِهِ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا يُخْرِجُ لِكُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنْهُمْ فَيُخَالِطُهُمْ وَ يَأْكُلُونَ جَمِيعاً وَ لَا يَرْزَأَنَّ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ شَيْئاً إِنَّمَا هِيَ النَّارُ.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘If you mix with them then they are your brothers in religion’, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is a reference to orphans. If one becomes the person-in-charge of the affairs of orphans, one must take from one’s own assets a certain amount, and equal to this

الْمَعْرُوفُ هُوَ الْقُوتُ وَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى الْوَصِيَّ أَوِ الْقَيِّمَ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَ مَا يُصْلِحُهُمْ.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘He must eat to the proper limit’, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Ma‘ruf (proper limit) is what one needs for sustenance. It applies to the executor of the will or one who is appointed as the custodian of their assets and to work for their welfare.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ سَأَلَنِي عِيسَى بْنُ مُوسَى عَنِ الْقَيِّمِ لِلْيَتَامَى فِي الْإِبِلِ وَ مَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ مِنْهَا قُلْتُ إِذَا لَاطَ حَوْضَهَا وَ طَلَبَ ضَالَّتَهَا وَ هَنَأَ جَرْبَاهَا فَلَهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَ مِنْ لَبَنِهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ نَهْكٍ بِضَرْعٍ وَ لَا فَسَادٍ لِنَسْلٍ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Isa ibn Musa asked about guardians of orphans, camels and what is lawful in matters of camels. I said, ‘If he repairs their water tank, finds the lost ones, scratches their itch, he then is entitled to use their milk without excessive use of their udder or harming their young.’”