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- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ السَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ قُلْتُ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ أَسْلَمَ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ أَوْ شَيْ‏ءٍ مَعْلُومٍ مِنَ الرَّقِيقِ فَأَعْطَاهُ دُونَ شَرْطِهِ وَفَوْقَهُ بِطِيبَةِ أَنْفُسٍ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of advance payment in buying animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked him (the Imam) if I can make an advance payment for known years or something known like slaves and I pay more or less than his stipulation with consent and happiness. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’” 

2- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي رَجُلٍ أَعْطَى رَجُلا وَرِقاً فِي وَصِيفٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَقَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ لا نَجِدُ لَكَ وَصِيفاً خُذْ مِنِّي قِيمَةَ وَصِيفِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَرِقاً قَالَ فَقَالَ لا يَأْخُذُ إِلا وَصِيفَهُ أَوْ وَرِقَهُ الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ لا يَزْدَادُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Najran from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from Muhammad ibn Qays who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, about the case of a man who gave a note to another man for a servant for an appointed time and his party said, ‘I could not find a servant for you, you take from me the cost of your servant today in the form of the value.’ He (’Amir al- Mu’minin) has said, ‘He can refuse to take anything other than his servant or the note that he had given him at first without any thing added.’” 

3- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ جَمِيلِ بْنِ دَرَّاجٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لا بَأْسَ بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ إِذَا وُصِفَتْ أَسْنَانُهَا.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Advance payment to buy an animal is not unlawful if the age of animals is clearly described.’” 

4- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لا بَأْسَ بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ إِذَا سَمَّيْتَ شَيْئاً مَعْلُوماً.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from ‘Ubayd ibn Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Advance payment to buy an animals is not unlawful if it (the animal) is clearly made known.’” 

5- أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ الأنْصَارِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ أَبَاهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَرَى بَأْساً بِالسَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ مَعْلُومٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ.

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from abu Maryam al-Ansariy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that his father would not consider advance payment to buy an animal unlawful for a clearly known merchandise and time.” 

6- أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ قُتَيْبَةَ الأعْشَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ مَعْلُومَةٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَيُعْطِي الرَّبَاعَ مَكَانَ الثَّنِيِّ فَقَالَ أَلَيْسَ يُسْلِمُ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ لا بَأْسَ.

6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Qutaybah al-‘A’sha’ who has said the following: “About the case of a man who makes advance payment for sheep of a certain age for an appointed time and the party gives him four years old in place of three years old, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘Is it not true that he has made advance payment for (animals of) known age and on an appointed time? I replied, ‘Yes, that is true.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’” 

7- أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ جَمِيعاً عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْمَغْرَاءِ عَنِ الْحَلَبِيِّ قَالَ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي وُصَفَاءِ أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ وَلَوْنٍ مَعْلُومٍ ثُمَّ يُعْطِي دُونَ شَرْطِهِ أَوْ فَوْقَهُ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ عَنْ طِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْكَ وَمِنْهُ فَلا بَأْسَ.

7. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from and Ali has narrated from his father all from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu al-Mighra’ from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who made an advance payment for things of clearly described age and color; then the party gave him more or less than the set condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is with fine consent it is not unlawful.’” 

8- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنِ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِمُ فِي الْغَنَمِ ثُنْيَانٍ وَجُذْعَانٍ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ لا بَأْسَ إِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْغَنَمُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ صَاحِبُ الْغَنَمِ نِصْفَهَا أَوْ ثُلُثَهَا أَوْ ثُلُثَيْهَا وَيَأْخُذُوا رَأْسَ مَالِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ دَرَاهِمَ وَيَأْخُذُوا دُونَ شَرْطِهِمْ وَلا يَأْخُذُونَ فَوْقَ شَرْطِهِمْ وَالأكْسِيَةُ أَيْضاً مِثْلُ الْحِنْطَةِ وَالشَّعِيرِ وَالزَّعْفَرَانِ وَالْغَنَمِ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy said: “Once abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) was asked about the case of a man who made an advanced payment to buy sheep of three and less than three years old, and others for an appointed time. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful if the one who must provide sheep cannot have all that he is responsible for; the buyer can have half, one-third, two-thirds with the capital of the rest of the sheep in the form of dirhams. They can take below their condition and not above the condition, and this applies to sacks of wheat, barley and saffron and sheep also.’” 

9- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مَرَّارٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَسْلَمَ فِي وُصَفَاءِ أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مَعْلُومَةٍ ثُمَّ يُعْطِي دُونَ شَرْطِهِ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْكَ وَمِنْهُ فَلا بَأْسَ قَالَ وَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسْلِفُ فِي الْغَنَمِ الثُّنْيَانَ وَالْجُذْعَانَ وَغَيْرَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ لا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَيْهِ فَسُئِلَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ صَاحِبُ الْحَقِّ نِصْفَ الْغَنَمِ أَوْ ثُلُثَهَا وَيَأْخُذَ رَأْسَ مَالِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ دَرَاهِمَ قَالَ لا بَأْسَ وَلا يَأْخُذُ دُونَ شَرْطِهِ إِلا بِطِيبَةِ نَفْسِ صَاحِبِهِ.

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Isma’il ibn Marrar from Yunus from Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made an advance payment for things of clearly described age and appointed time and not clearly described ages; then he was given below the condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is with fine consent from him and from you it is not unlawful.’ I then asked about a man who made an advance payment to buy sheep of three years and less than three years and others for an appointed time. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ ‘In case he cannot provide all of them, can he ask the party to accept half or one-third and take back the capital for the remaining sheep in the form of dirhams?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful but they must not take up his condition without fine consent of the owner.’” 

10- حُمَيْدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ غَيْرِ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ حَدِيدِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الرَّجُلُ يَشْتَرِي الْجُلُودَ مِنَ الْقَصَّابِ يُعْطِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ شَيْئاً مَعْلُوماً قَالَ لا بَأْسَ.

10. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama‘ah from more than one person from Aban from Hadid ibn Hakim who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who bought skins from the butcher to give him every day something clearly known. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’” 

11- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ قَالَ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ السَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ فَقَالَ أَسْنَانٌ مَعْلُومَةٌ وَأَسْنَانٌ مَعْدُودَةٌ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ لا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about advance payment to buy animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘The age must be clearly known and the numbers must be made known for the known time, then it is not unlawful.’” 

12- أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ النَّضْرِ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شِمْرٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّلَفِ فِي اللَّحْمِ قَالَ لا تَقْرَبَنَّهُ فَإِنَّهُ يُعْطِيكَ مَرَّةً السَّمِينَ وَمَرَّةً التَّاوِيَ وَمَرَّةً الْمَهْزُولَ اشْتَرِهِ مُعَايَنَةً يَداً بِيَدٍ قَالَ وَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّلَفِ فِي رَوَايَا الْمَاءِ قَالَ لا تَقْرَبْهَا فَإِنَّهُ يُعْطِيكَ مَرَّةً نَاقِصَةً وَمَرَّةً كَامِلَةً وَلَكِنْ اشْتَرِهِ مُعَايَنَةً وَهُوَ أَسْلَمُ لَكَ وَلَهُ.

12. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from certain persons of his people from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of advance payment for meat. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not go close to it because one time he gives you fatty, one time what is about to become spoilled and one time he gives you boney. Buy with examination and in hand in hand manner.’ I then asked about advance payment for containers of water. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not go close to it because one time he gives you less and one time complete. Buy it with examination; it is safe for you and for him.’” 

13- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي وَلادٍ الْحَنَّاطِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ غَنَمٌ يَحْلُبُهَا لَهَا أَلْبَانٌ كَثِيرَةٌ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُ الْخَمْسَمِائَةِ رِطْلٍ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْمِائَةَ رِطْلٍ بِكَذَا وَكَذَا دِرْهَماً فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَرْطَالا حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَ مَا يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُ قَالَ لا بَأْسَ بِهَذَا وَنَحْوِهِ.

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad al-Hannat who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man saying, ‘He has sheep that milks and the milk is abundant every day, if one can buy from him five hundred Ritl (a certain unit of measurement) or more and every one hundred Ritl for so and so much dirham then every day take certain Ritl until the deal is complete.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful (for this) and similar things.’” 

14- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ قُتَيْبَةَ الأعْشَى قَالَ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَأَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ إِنَّ أَخِي يَخْتَلِفُ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ يَجْلِبُ الْغَنَمَ فَيُسْلِمُ فِي الْغَنَمِ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَيُعْطِي الرَّبَاعَ مَكَانَ الثَّنِيِّ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِطِيبَةِ نَفْسٍ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ لا بَأْسَ‏. 

14. Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from Qutaybah al-’A‘sha’ who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, when I was present, by a man who said, ‘My brother comes from and goes to the mountains, milks sheep of known age for an appointed time; then he is given four years old in place of three years old.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is it with fine consent of his party?’ he replied, ‘Yes, it is so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 5

Book 2, Chapter 99