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 ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ تَرْكُ التِّجَارَةِ يَنْقُصُ الْعَقْلَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman, who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Quitting business reduces one’s power of reason.’” 

2- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ التِّجَارَةُ تَزِيدُ فِي الْعَقْلِ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from those who narrated to him who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Doing business increases one’s power of reason.’” 

3- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ الزَّعْفَرَانِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ طَلَبَ التِّجَارَةَ اسْتَغْنَى عَنِ النَّاسِ قُلْتُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُعِيلا قَالَ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُعِيلا إِنَّ تِسْعَةَ أَعْشَارِ الرِّزْقِ فِي التِّجَارَةِ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Muhammad al- Za’faraniy from who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who seeks business becomes independent of people.’ I then asked, ‘Even if he has dependents?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, even if he has dependents; nine-tenth of sustenance is in business.’” 

4- أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْجَهْمِ عَنْ فُضَيْلٍ الأعْوَرِ قَالَ شَهِدْتُ مُعَاذَ بْنَ كَثِيرٍ وَقَالَ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي قَدْ أَيْسَرْتُ فَأَدَعُ التِّجَارَةَ فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ إِنْ فَعَلْتَ قَلَّ عَقْلُكَ أَوْ نَحْوَهُ.

4. Ahmad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu al-Jahm from Fudayl al-A’war who has said the following: “I was present when Mu‘adh ibn Kathir said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have become affluent so I want to quit business.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you do so your power of reason will decrease’- or similar expression.” 

5- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ فُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَيَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ تُعَالِجُ قُلْتُ مَا أُعَالِجُ الْيَوْمَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ كَذَلِكَ تَذْهَبُ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَاشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu ‘Isma’il from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked, ‘What do you do?’ I replied, ‘I am not doing anything today.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is how your wealth goes away and it becomes difficult for you.’” 

6- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي الْفَرَجِ الْقُمِّيِّ عَنْ مُعَاذٍ بَيَّاعِ الأكْسِيَةِ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا مُعَاذُ أَضَعُفْتَ عَنِ التِّجَارَةِ أَوْ زَهِدْتَ فِيهَا قُلْتُ مَا ضَعُفْتُ عَنْهَا وَمَا زَهِدْتُ فِيهَا قَالَ فَمَا لَكَ قُلْتُ كُنَّا نَنْتَظِرُ أَمْراً وَذَلِكَ حِينَ قُتِلَ الْوَلِيدُ وَعِنْدِي مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ وَهُوَ فِي يَدِي وَلَيْسَ لأحَدٍ عَلَيَّ شَيْ‏ءٌ وَلا أَرَانِي آكُلُهُ حَتَّى أَمُوتَ فَقَالَ تَتْرُكُهَا فَإِنَّ تَرْكَهَا مَذْهَبَةٌ لِلْعَقْلِ اسْعَ عَلَى عِيَالِكَ وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ يَكُونَ هُمُ السُّعَاةَ عَلَيْكَ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu al-Faraj al-Qummiy from Mu’adh, Bayya’ al-Akyisah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘O Mu‘adh, have you become weak in doing business or have withdrawn thereof?’ I replied, ‘I have not become weak or withdrawn.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What then is the matter?’ I replied, ‘We were waiting for a certain issue because when Walid was killed, I had a great deal of goods which was in my possession; and I did not owe anything to anyone and did not think I can finish it before my death.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘So you have quitted business, but quitting business takes away one’s power of reason. Strive for the sake of your dependents and never give them a chance to complain against you.’” 

7- مُحَمَّدٌ وَغَيْرُهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عَطِيَّةَ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ أَحْمَرَ قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لِمُصَادِفٍ اغْدُ إِلَى عِزِّكَ يَعْنِي السُّوقَ.

7. Muhammad and others have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ali ibn ‘Atiyyah from Hisham ibn Ahmar who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), would say to Musadif, ‘Proceed toward your honor, meaning thereby place of business, the market place.’” 

8- عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بُنْدَارَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ شَرِيفِ بْنِ سَابِقٍ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ بْنِ أَبِي قُرَّةَ قَالَ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَأَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ مَا حَبَسَهُ عَنِ الْحَجِّ فَقِيلَ تَرَكَ التِّجَارَةَ وَقَلَّ شَيْئُهُ قَالَ وَكَانَ مُتَّكِئاً فَاسْتَوَى جَالِساً ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُمْ لا تَدَعُوا التِّجَارَةَ فَتَهُونُوا اتَّجِرُوا بَارَكَ اللهُ لَكُمْ.

8. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, from Sharif ibn Sabiq from al-Fudayl ibn abu Qurrah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked about a man, when I was present, ‘What is holding him back from performing Hajj?’ It was said, ’He has quit business and his wealth is reduced.’ He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) was leaning and he moved to a straight sitting position, and said, to them, ‘You must not quit doing business to become humiliated. Do business, I pray to Allah to grant you blessings.’” 

9- أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ جَدِّهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ تَعَرَّضُوا لِلتِّجَارَةِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا غِنًى لَكُمْ عَمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ.

9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from has narrated from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya from his grandfather, al-Hassan ibn Rashid from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Engage yourselves in business; it helps you become independent of what is in the hands of people.’” 

10- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ بَيَّاعِ الأكْسِيَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي قَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَ السُّوقَ وَفِي يَدِي شَيْ‏ءٌ قَالَ إِذاً يَسْقُطَ رَأْيُكَ وَلا يُسْتَعَانَ بِكَ عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Hudhayfah ibn Mansur from Mu’adh ibn Kathir, Bayya’ al-Akyisah who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I am thinking to quit doing business in market place while there is a certain amount of wealth in my hands.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Then your opinion becomes of no value and no one will seek help from you.’” 

11- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ فُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي قَدْ كَفَفْتُ عَنِ التِّجَارَةِ وَأَمْسَكْتُ عَنْهَا قَالَ وَلِمَ ذَلِكَ أَعَجْزٌ بِكَ كَذَلِكَ تَذْهَبُ أَمْوَالُكُمْ لا تَكُفُّوا عَنِ التِّجَارَةِ وَالْتَمِسُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn’ Udhaynah from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have quit doing business and have withdrawn thereof.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Why is that, are you helpless? This is how your wealth goes away. You must not quit doing business. You must continue to seek favors from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’” 

12- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ الْحَجَّالِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ وَكَانَ خَتَنَ بُرَيْدٍ الْعِجْلِيِّ قَالَ بُرَيْدٌ لِمُحَمَّدٍ سَلْ لِي أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَصْنَعَهُ إِنَّ لِلنَّاسِ فِي يَدِي وَدَائِعَ وَأَمْوَالا وَأَنَا أَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهَا وَقَدْ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَخَلَّى مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَأَدْفَعَ إِلَى كُلِّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ قَالَ فَسَأَلَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَخَبَّرَهُ بِالْقِصَّةِ وَقَالَ مَا تَرَى لَهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَيَبْدَأُ نَفْسَهُ بِالْحَرَبِ لا وَلَكِنْ يَأْخُذُ وَيُعْطِي عَلَى اللهِ جَلَّ اسْمُهُ.

12. A number of our companions have narrated from Ahmad b. Muhammad from ‘Abd Allah al-Hajjal from Ali b. ‘Uqbah from Muhammad b. Muslim who said the following: “Burayd al-Ajliy wanted to get married. Burayd said, to Muhammad, ‘Ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what I plan to do. I want to return people’s properties left with me for safe-keeping and it keeps me involved. Thereafter I like to stay away from worldly things and return everyone’s things that belong to them. He (the narrator) has said, ‘Muhammad asked Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about it, informed him of the story, and asked about his decision.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Does he want to start a fight against his own soul? He must not do so. Instead, he must give and take for the sake of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’” 

13- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو الْخَطَّابِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْسُدَ وَهُوَ يَحْمِلُ الْمَسَائِلَ لأصْحَابِنَا وَيَجِي‏ءُ بِجَوَابَاتِهَا رَوَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ اشْتَرُوا وَإِنْ كَانَ غَالِياً فَإِنَّ الرِّزْقَ يَنْزِلُ مَعَ الشِّرَاءِ. 

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn ‘Atiyyah who has said the following: “Abu al-Khattab (meaning Muhammad ibn Miqlas al-Asadiy al-Kufiy) before destroying his belief would present the legal questions of the members of the community before the Imam and bring back the answers. He has narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), the following: ‘You should purchase goods even if prices are high; sustenance comes by means of buying.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 5

Book 2, Chapter 53