36. My father said: Sa`d ibn `Abd Allah said, on the authority of both Ahmad and `Abd Allah sons of Muhammad ibn `Isa, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Abu `Umayr, on the authority of Hammad ibn `Uthman, on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn `Ali al-Halabi that Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq was asked about boarding so he replied,

Verily, hoarding is buying the only food available in town and then hoarding it. However, if there is food or merchandise other than it, then there is no problem in owning any excess commodity. If there was a rise in price in such a circumstance form Allah, the Mighty and High, then the buyer of all the food of the town does not deserve blame, because Allah, the Mighty and High, does not blame a servant over his action. This is why the Messenger of Allah has said: `The importer is blessed and the hoarder is cursed.’ If it is from the Mighty and High, then it is obligatory to be satisfied with it and accept it. Similarly it is obligatory when it is due to shortage of things or shortage of income, because that is from Allah, the Mighty and High. What is from Allah, the Mighty and High, or is from the people, is from previous in the knowledge of Allah, Exalted be His remembrance. Like the creating of the creation and that is with His Destiny and His Decree, as I have explained in the meaning of the Predestination and the Divine Decree.