3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all from ibn Mahbub from ‘Amr ibn abu al-Miqdam from Jabir, who has said the following:

“Abu Ja’far , has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin , lived among you in al-Kufah. He would have one loaf of bread everyday for his lunch and walk in market-places of al- Kufah one by one with a durrah (whip) on his shoulder. It had two strips and it was called al- Sababiyah. He addressed the people of every market-place and said, ‘Those people who do business must maintain piety before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’ People on hearing his voice dropped down whatever they had in their hands, their hearts repented and their ears listened. He (the Imam) would say, ‘You must seek goodness (from Allah) and conclude a transaction with ease, stay close to buyers, dress up with forbearance, stay away from swearing, lying and injustice. Exercise fairness with the oppressed and do not become close to Riba’. Maintain proper measurement and balance. You must not reduce people’s things and you must not spread corruption in the land.’ He (the Imam) would walk in all of market-places of al-Kufah and then return to meet people.”