Virtue and Excellence of Serving in the Army

Jihad of Man and Woman

Kinds of Jihad (struggle)

To Whom Does the Obligation of Jihad Apply, and to Whom it Does not Apply

Mobilization Along with People when there is Fear for al-Islam

Under Whose Command Obligatory Jihad Takes Place?

‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd and al-Mu’taziliy Groups’ Visiting abu ‘Abd Allah ‘Alayhi al-Salam

The Recommendations of the Messenger of Allah and Amir al-Mu’minin, about Smaller Armed Expeditions

Chapter 9(a) - Granting Immunity

Chapter 9(b)

Chapter 9(c)

Challenging the Enemy for a Fight

Kindness to the Prisoners and Providing Him Food

Calling to al-Islam before Fighting

Chapter 13(a) - Matters about which Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), Recommended at the Time of War

Chapter 13(b)

It is not Lawful for a Muslim to Reside in a War Zone

Chapter 15(a) - Distribution of the Properties Captured from the Enemy

Chapter 15(b)

Chapter 15(c)

The Slogan

The Virtue of Maintaining Horses, Racing and Sharp Shooting Contests

Man’s Defending Himself Against the Thief

The Case of one Murdered over His Stolen Property

Chapter 20(a) - The Excellence of Martyrdom

Chapter 20(b)

Chapter 20(c)

Commanding others what is Obligatory and to Prohibit them from doing Evil

Chapter 22(a) - Rejecting Evil in one’s Heart

Chapter 22(b)

The Case of those who Displease the Creator to Please the Creatures

It is Detestable to Expose One’s Self to What He Cannot Endure

Al-Sufiy People’s Visiting Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam

The Meaning of Zuhd (Asceticism)

Using the Worldly Resources as Means for Success in the Hereafter

The Degree Of Efforts Which One Must Make In Search For One’s Sustenance To Follow In the Footsteps of ‘A’immah ‘Alayhim al-Salam

Promoting The Quest For Sustenance And Work To Make A Living

Al^Ibla’ (Trying) in the Work for Living

Meticulous Effort to Make a Living

Receiving Sustenance from Unexpected Sources

The Detestability of Sleeping and Passing Time without Work

Detestability of Laziness

One’s Working in His House

Amending one’s Properties and Planning for one’s Living

Hard Work for the Family

Earning Lawful kind of Sustenance

Saving for One’s Living Expenses

Detestability of Offering Oneself for Hire

Performing Personally one’s Business Tasks

Buying and Selling Real Estate

Debts and Borrowing

Payment of Debts

To Retaliate and Offset for Debts

When a Man Dies Payment of his Debts becomes Due

The Case of One Who Borrows But Does Not Intend To Pay Back

Sell off Debts in Exchange for Debts

Etiquette of Asking for Payment

The Case of Delaying Due Payment

Lodging With a Borrower When Demanding Payment

Chapter 28(a) - The Case of Gift to a Creditor

Chapter 28(b) - Bail out and Assignment or Referral

Working for al-Sultan and his Rewards

The Conditions to Work for al-Sultan

Selling Arms to al- Sultan

The Crafts (Technologies)

The Legal Status of Income from Cupping Operation

Income from Eulogizing Someone to Make People Mourn

The Legal Status of Income from Hairdressing and Circumcising

The Legal Status of the Income of Female Singer from Singing and Selling Singers (Slave-girls)

The Legal Status of Income from Teaching

The legal Status of Income from Selling Copies of the Holy Quran

Gambling and Looting

Earning in Unlawful ways

Unlawful Earnings in the form of al-Suht such as Buying and Selling of Intoxicating Liquors . . .

Consuming the Properties of Orphans

The Amount a Supervisor of the Properties of Orphans Can Lawfully Use

Using the Properties of Orphans in Business and Lending

Safe Return of Trust

A Father and Son’s Using Each Others Properties

A Husband and Wife’s Using Each Other’s Properties

Found and Lost Properties

Gifts and Presents

Rule about Unlawful Interest

Unlawful Interest Does Not Apply Between a Father and Son

The Excellence of Doing Business and Giving It Proper Attention

Etiquettes of Doing Business

Excellence of Keeping Accounts and Books

Entering the Market Before Others

Speaking of Allah, Most High, in the Market

Words to Say When Buying for Resale Purposes

People With Whom Doing Business Is Not Recommended

Using Proper and Improper Measurements in Business

Cheating in Business

Swearing at the Time of Buying and Selling

The Case of Prices of Goods

The Case of Monopolization (Hoarding) Goods in Public Demand

Another Chapter

Excellence of Buying Wheat and Food

Detestability of Estimating and Preferability of Using Measurements

Continuing Profitable Businesses

1- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ آبَائِهِ (عَلَيْهِم السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ عَلَى تَقْوَى اللهِ الْغِنَى.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Nawfafiy from af-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The best helper of piety is (financial) self-sufficiency.’” 

2- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ جَمِيلِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ رَبَّنا آتِنا فِي الدُّنْيا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً رِضْوَانُ اللهِ وَالْجَنَّةُ فِي الآخِرَةِ وَالْمَعَاشُ وَحُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘O Lord, grant us good in this world and in the next world’, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is Allah’s happiness with one, paradise in the next life, good living and excellent moral manners in this world.’” 

3- عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بُنْدَارَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الثَّقَفِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْمُعَلَّى عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ رَفَعَهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قِيلَ لَهُ مَا بَالُ أَصْحَابِ عِيسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانُوا يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْمَاءِ وَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ فِي أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ عِيسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كُفُوا الْمَعَاشَ وَإِنَّ هَؤُلاءِ ابْتُلُوا بِالْمَعَاشِ.

3. Ali ibn Muhammad Bandar has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Thaqafiy from Ali ibn Mu‘alla’ from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad in a marfu’ manner who has said the following: “Once it was asked of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘How is it that disciples of Jesus could walk on water and the companions of Muhammad (SAW), do not have such ability? Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), replied, ‘The disciples of Jesus were self-sufficient financially and these people have trouble with their financial matters.’” 

4- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الأعْلَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَلُوا اللهَ الْغِنَى فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْعَافِيَةَ وَفِي الآخِرَةِ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَالْجَنَّةَ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Faddal from Tha’labah ibn Maymun from ‘Abd al-‘Ala’ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Ask Allah to grant you (financial) self-sufficiency and good health in this world, forgiveness and paradise in the hereafter.’” 

5- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ بَهْرَامَ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ جُمَيْعٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لا خَيْرَ فِي مَنْ لا يُحِبُّ جَمْعَ الْمَالِ مِنْ حَلالٍ يَكُفُّ بِهِ وَجْهَهُ وَيَقْضِي بِهِ دَيْنَهُ وَيَصِلُ بِهِ رَحِمَهُ.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abd Allah from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad from al-Harith ibn Bahram from ‘Amr ibn Jami’ who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘There is not much good in one who does not love to accumulate lawful wealth with which he can safeguard his dignity, pay off his debts and maintain good relations with relatives.’” 

6- الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ لِلْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ اسْتَعِينُوا بِبَعْضِ هَذِهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ وَلا تَكُونُوا كُلُولا عَلَى النَّاسِ.

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn al-Rabi‘ in his (Imam’s) advice to al- Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘You should use certain items of these resources to overcome other tasks and do not become a burden on people.’” 

7- عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بُنْدَارَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ أَبِي الْخَزْرَجِ الأنْصَارِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ غُرَابٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ أَلْقَى كَلَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ.

7. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ahmad ibn ‘Abd Allah from abu al-Khazraj al-Ansariy from Ali ibn Ghurab who has said the following: “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, ‘Condemned is one who shifts his burden over on other people.’” 

8- عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ ذَرِيحِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْمُحَارِبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الآخِرَةِ.

8. It is narrated from him (narrator of the previous Hadith) from Ahmad from his father from Safwan ibn Yahya from Darih ibn Yazid al-Muharibiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The worldly resources are best means to overcome the difficulties of the next life.”’ 

9- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ ذَرِيحٍ الْمُحَارِبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ عَلَى الآخِرَةِ الدُّنْيَا.

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Safwan ibn Yahya from Darih al-Muharibiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the worldly resources are best means to overcome the difficulties of the next life.” 

10- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَاللهِ إِنَّا لَنَطْلُبُ الدُّنْيَا وَنُحِبُّ أَنْ نُؤْتَاهَا فَقَالَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ تَصْنَعَ بِهَا مَا ذَا قَالَ أَعُودُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِي وَعِيَالِي وَأَصِلُ بِهَا وَأَتَصَدَّقُ بِهَا وَأَحُجُّ وَأَعْتَمِرُ فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَيْسَ هَذَا طَلَبَ الدُّنْيَا هَذَا طَلَبُ الآخِرَةِ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur who has said the following: “A man once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We, by Allah, ask for the worldly things and we love to receive worldly gains.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What do you want to do with it?’ He replied, ‘I like to improve my own conditions, the conditions of my family, maintain good relations with others, give charity, perform Hajj and al-‘Umrah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is not asking for worldly things. It is asking for success in the hereafter.’” 

11- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) غِنًى يَحْجُزُكَ عَنِ الظُّلْمِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ فَقْرٍ يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى الإثْمِ.

11. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid in a marfu’ manner who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘A wealth that keeps you away from injustice is better than poverty which leads you to commit sins.’” 

12- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ عِدَّةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يُصْبِحُ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَوْ يُمْسِي عَلَى ثُكْلٍ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ أَوْ يُمْسِيَ عَلَى حَرَبٍ فَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الْحَرَبِ.

12. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from A number of our people has narrated who has said the following: “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, ‘A believer’s spending days and nights with suffering from the losses of his loved ones is better than his spending days and nights in the state of war. We seek protection with Allah against war.’” 

13- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي الْبَخْتَرِيِّ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي الْخُبْزِ وَلا تُفَرِّقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ فَلَوْ لا الْخُبْزُ مَا صَلَّيْنَا وَلا صُمْنَا وَلا أَدَّيْنَا فَرَائِضَ رَبِّنَا.

13. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from abu al-Bakhtariy in a marfu’ manner who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘O Allah, grant us blessings with our loaves of bread and do not take them away from us. Without bread we cannot perform Salat (prayer) or fast, perform our obligations toward our Lord.’” 

14- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ الأحْمَسِيِّ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى طَلَبِ الآخِرَةِ.

14. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali al-Ahmasiy from a man who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The worldly help in one’s quest for success in the hereafter is the best help.’” 

15- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنْ ذَرِيحٍ الْمُحَارِبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ نِعْمَ الْعَوْنُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الآخِرَةِ. 

15. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from Darih al-Muharibiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The worldly help in one’s quest for success in the hereafter is the best help.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 5

Book 2, Chapter 3