Chapter on Livelihoods, Earnings, Profits, and Professions

Dharih ibn Yazid al-Muharibi narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "The world is an excellent aid for the Hereafter."

Imam عليه السلام said: "He is not from us who abandons his worldly life for his Hereafter, nor his Hereafter for his worldly life."

It is narrated from the Imam عليه السلام that he said: "Work for your worldly life as if you will live forever, and work for your Hereafter as if you will die tomorrow."

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "Wealth is an excellent aid in attaining piety towards Allah سبحانه وتعالى."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Blessed and Exalted, loves traveling in pursuit of sustenance."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Set out (on a journey), and sustenance will set out for you."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "I love to see a man striving in pursuit of sustenance. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, bless my nation in their early mornings.'"

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "If any of you has a need, let him seek it early in the morning, for I asked my Lord عز وجل, the Almighty and Glorious, to bless my nation in their early mornings."

Imam عليه السلام said: "If any of you intends to fulfill a need, let him seek it early in the morning and hasten in walking towards it."

Hammad al-Lahham narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: "Do not be lazy in seeking your livelihood, for our fathers used to strive for it and pursue it."

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, sent a man to fulfill a need, and the man was walking in the sun. So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said to him: "Walk in the shade, for the shade is blessed."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever goes to fulfill a need without being in a state of ablution, and his need is not fulfilled, let him blame none but himself."

Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, said: "I find myself despising a man who faces difficulties in earning a livelihood, yet he lies on his back and says, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, provide for me,' while neglecting to go out into the land and seek Allah's سبحانه وتعالى bounty. Even the smallest ant comes out of its hole to seek its sustenance."

Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Blessed and Exalted, loves the trustworthy worker."

It is narrated from Muhammad ibn Udhafir, from his father, who said: Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, handed me seven hundred dinars and said: "O 'Udhafir, invest it in something." Imam عليه السلام then added: "I am not doing this out of greed, but I wish for Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Blessed and Exalted, to see me seeking His bounties." Udhafir said: I earned a profit of one hundred dinars from it. So, while performing Tawaf, I said to him: "May I be your ransom! Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has grant a profit of one hundred dinars in it." Imam عليه السلام replied: "Add it to my capital."

Ibrahim ibn Abdul-Hamid narrated from Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, who said: A man came to the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, and said: "O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I have taught my son to read and write. In what profession should I place him?" The Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, replied:"Entrust him to Allah سبحانه وتعالى and do not place him in five professions: Do not make him a seller of shrouds, nor a jeweler, nor a butcher, nor a grain merchant, nor a slave trader." The man asked: "O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, what is the harm in selling shrouds?" The Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, explained: "The one who sells shrouds wishes for the death of my nation, while the birth of a new soul in my nation is more beloved to me than all that the sun has risen upon. As for the jeweler, he engages in defrauding my nation. As for the butcher, he slaughters so frequently that mercy departs from his heart. As for the grain merchant, he hoards food against my nation, and it is more beloved to me that a servant meets Allah سبحانه وتعالى as a thief than that he meets Him having hoarded food for forty days. As for the slave trader, Archangel Jibril عليه السلام came to me and said: 'O Muhammad, the worst of your nation are those who sell human beings.'"

Sadir al-Sayrafi narrated: I said to Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام: "A report has reached me about Hasan al-Basri, and if it is true, then 'Indeed, we belong to Allah سبحانه وتعالى and to Him we shall return.'" Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام asked: "What is it?" I said: "I have heard that Hasan used to say, 'If my head boiled from the heat of the sun, I would not seek shade under the wall of a moneychanger, and if my liver dried up from thirst, I would not drink water earned through trade. Yet, this (trade) is my occupation, my business, and by it my flesh and blood have grown, and from it, I performed my Hajj and Umrah.'" Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام then sat up and said: "Hasan has lied! Take what is fair and give what is fair, and when the time for prayer arrives, leave what is in your hands and rise for prayer. Do you not know that the companions of the cave (Ashab al-Kahf) were moneychangers?"

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "Woe to the merchants of my nation because of (their frequent oaths) 'No, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى' and 'Yes, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى.' And woe to the craftsmen of my nation because of (their worries about) today and tomorrow."

Imam Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, narrated through Jabir from Amr ibn Shimr: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, underwent cupping. A servant from the tribe of Banu Bayadah performed the cupping, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم gave him payment. If it were prohibited, he would not have given him payment. When the procedure was completed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, asked him: 'Where is the blood?' The servant replied: 'I drank it, O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.' The Prophet said: 'You should not have done that, but Allah سبحانه وتعالى has made it a barrier for you against the Fire.'"

It is narrated from Ali ibn Ja'far, from his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, who said: "I asked him about scattered treats such as sugar, almonds, and similar items-whether it is permissible to eat them. Imam عليه السلام replied: 'It is disliked to consume anything that is seized unlawfully.'"

It is narrated from Amr ibn Shimr, from Jabir, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, who said: "When Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed the verse: 'Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah سبحانه وتعالى], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid them' (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:90). The people asked: 'O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, what is gambling (maysir)?' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied: 'Everything that involves betting, even dice and walnuts.' They asked: 'What are the stone alters (ansab)?' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'They are the sacrifices offered to their idols.' They asked: 'What are the divining arrows (azlam)?' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'They are their arrows used for seeking decisions or division.'"

It is narrated from Al-Sakuni, from Abu Abdillah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام that: "He عليه السلام used to forbid eating the walnuts that children bring from gambling, and He عليه السلام said it is unlawful (suht)."

It is narrated from Ayyub ibn Al-Hurr, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, who said: "There is no harm in the payment for a wailing woman who mourns the deceased, and the payment for a singer who escorts brides; there is no harm in it, as long as she is not someone whom men enter upon."

It is narrated from Aban ibn Uthman, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: "Four things are not permissible in four situations: treachery, embezzlement, theft, and usury. They are not permissible in Hajj, Umrah, Jihad, or charity."

Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in the earnings of a hairdresser if she does not stipulate a specific payment and accepts what is given to her. However, she should not attach the hair of one woman to the hair of another woman. As for the hair of goats, there is no harm in attaching it to a woman's hair. Also, there is no harm in the earnings of a mourner if she speaks the truth."

It is narrated: "She makes it permissible by striking one of her hands against the other."

It is narrated from Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Hamzah, from his father, who said: "I saw Abu Al-Hasan عليه السلام working in his land, and his feet were soaked in sweat. I said to him, 'May I be your ransom! Where are the men (to assist you)?' Imam عليه السلام replied: 'O Ali, one who is better than me and my father worked with his hands in his land.' I asked him, 'Who is that?' He said: 'The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family), Commander of the Faithful, and my forefathers (peace be upon them)-all of them worked with their hands, and it is the work of the prophets, the messengers, and the righteous."

It is narrated from Sharif ibn Sabiq Al-Taflisi, from Al-Fadl ibn Abi Qurrah Al-Samandi Al-Kufi, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, that Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام said: "Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, revealed to Dawud عليه السلام: 'You are an excellent servant, except that you eat from the public treasury and do not work with your hands.' Dawud عليه السلام then wept. So Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, revealed to the iron: 'Soften for My servant Dawud.' (Surah Saba 34:10) And the iron softened. Allah سبحانه وتعالى made the iron pliable for him, and he began to make a coat of armor each day, selling it for a thousand dirhams. Dawud عليه السلام made three hundred and sixty coats of armor, selling them for three hundred and sixty thousand dirhams, and he became independent of the public treasury."

It is narrated from Al-Fadl ibn Abi Qurrah: "We entered upon Abu Abdullah عليه السلام while he was working in his garden. We said: 'May Allah سبحانه وتعالى make us your ransom! Let us work for you, or let the servants handle it.' Imam عليه السلام replied: 'No, leave me to it, for I desire that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, sees me working with my own hands and seeking lawful sustenance, even if it causes hardship to myself.'"

It is reported that Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام used to go out during the midday heat for tasks that had already been taken care of, desiring that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, would see him exerting himself in the pursuit of lawful sustenance.

It is reported from al-Fadl ibn Abi Qurrah that he said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, "These people claim that the earnings of a teacher are unlawful." Imam عليه السلام replied: "The enemies of Allah سبحانه وتعالى have lied! They only intend to prevent their children from learning the Quran. If a man were to give the teacher the blood money of his child, it would be lawful for the teacher."

Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام said: "Part of a man's happiness is that his business is in his own land, that his associates are righteous, and that he has children who assist him."

It is narrated from Abdul-Hamid ibn 'Awad al-Ta'i who said: I said to Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "I have set up a millstone, and it is my sitting place where my companions also sit with me." Imam عليه السلام said: "That is Allah's سبحانه وتعالى mercy."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said to Al-Walid ibn Subayh: "O Walid, do not buy anything for me from one who is engaged in unlawful earnings (Muharif), for there is no blessing in associating with him."

Imam عليه السلام said: "Do not associate with or conduct business except with those who have been raised in goodness."

Imam عليه السلام said: "Beware of dealing with those who have defects, for they are the most unjust of people."

Imam عليه السلام said to Abu Al-Rabi' Al-Shami: "Do not associate with the Kurds, for the Kurds are a group from the Jinn whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, has removed the veil from."

Imam عليه السلام said: "Do not seek the assistance of a Magian, even for holding the legs of your sheep while you intend to slaughter it."

Imam عليه السلام said: "Beware of associating with the lowly, for it does not lead to any good."

Al-Fudhayl ibn Yasaar asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "I have abandoned trade." Imam عليه السلام replied: "Do not do that. Open your door, spread your mat, and seek sustenance from your Lord عز وجل, Allah سبحانه وتعالى."

Sadir Al-Sayrafi said: I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "What is required of a man in seeking sustenance?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "O Sadir, if you open your door and spread your mat, then you have fulfilled what is required of you."

Imam عليه السلام said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Blessed and Exalted, has made the sustenance of the believers come from where they do not expect. This is because when a servant does not know the source of his sustenance, his supplications increase."

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Be more hopeful for what you do not expect than for what you expect. Indeed, Moses, son of Imran عليه السلام, went out to fetch fire for his family, but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, spoke to him, and he returned as a prophet. And the Queen of Sheba went out and embraced Islam with Solomon عليه السلام. And the magicians of Pharaoh went out seeking honor for Pharaoh but returned as believers."

A man said to Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام: "Promise me something." Imam عليه السلام replied: "How can I promise you, when I have more hope in what I do not expect than in what I do expect?"

It is narrated from Jamil ibn Darraj, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, does not close a door of sustenance for a believer except that He opens for him what is better than it."

It is narrated by Al-Sakooni, from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, from his forefathers (peace be upon them) that Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Whoever receives sustenance from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, without having walked towards it with his feet, nor extended his hand for it, nor spoken about it with his tongue, nor prepared himself for it by tightening his garments, nor exposed himself to acquire it-he is among those whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, mentioned in His Book: 'And whoever fears Allah سبحانه وتعالى, He will make a way out for him, and will provide for him from where he does not expect.'" (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)

Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام said: "Assistance descends from the heavens in proportion to one's needs."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Wealth that prevents you from committing oppression is better than poverty that leads you to sin."

Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no good in one who does not desire to earn wealth through lawful means, so that he may protect his dignity, pay off his debts, and maintain ties of kinship."

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Part of honor and dignity is managing wealth properly."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Managing wealth properly is a part of faith."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "A Muslim cannot be righteous except through three qualities: understanding the religion, managing livelihood wisely, and exercising patience in adversity."

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "Indeed, when the soul secures its provision, it becomes content."

Mu'ammar ibn Khallad asked Abu al-Hasan Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha عليه السلام about storing food for a year. Imam عليه السلام replied: "I do it myself."

Ibn Abi Ya'fur narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'There is no spending more beloved to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, than moderate spending. He سبحانه وتعالى dislikes extravagance, except in Hajj and Umrah. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on a believer who earns lawfully, spends moderately, or gives something in charity from his surplus.' "

The Scholar, Imam عليه السلام said: "I guarantee that whoever practices moderation will never become poor."

Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام said: "A man may spend his wealth on what is right, yet still be considered extravagant."

Al-Asbagh ibn Nubata narrated from Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام that he said: "The extravagant person has three signs: he eats what does not belong to him, buys what does not belong to him, and wears what does not belong to him."

Abu Hisham al-Basri narrated from Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha عليه السلام that he said: "Among the causes of corruption are the discontinuation of currency (dirham and dinar) and the discarding of date pits."

Ishaq ibn Ammar asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام about the least form of extravagance. Imam عليه السلام replied: "Wearing your garment of dignity for ordinary tasks, spilling the excess of what is in your vessel, and carelessly throwing away date pits like this and that."

Al-Walid ibn Sabih narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that he said: "Three people make supplications, but their prayers are not answered"-or he said: "their prayers are returned to them": A man who had a large amount of wealth, reaching thirty thousand or forty thousand, and spent it without careful consideration. Then he says, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, provide for me.' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says, 'Did I not provide for you?' A man who refrains from seeking sustenance and says, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, provide for me.' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says, 'Did I not make a way for you to seek provision?' A man who had a wife and prays, 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, separate me from her.' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, says, 'Did I not give you the authority to handle this matter yourself?'"

Imam عليه السلام said: "Part of a man's happiness is that he is the caretaker of his family."

Imam عليه السلام said: "It is sufficient for a man to be sinful if he neglects those he is responsible for."

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Cursed, cursed is the one who neglects those he is responsible for."

Imam عليه السلام said: "The one who strives to provide for his family through lawful means is like a warrior in the path of Allah سبحانه وتعالى."

Isma'il bin Jabir narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام that he said: "Do not expose yourselves to obligations, but if they become binding upon you, then be patient with them."

Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha عليه السلام said: "Do not give to your brothers from yourself what causes you more harm than it benefits them."

Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: "Beware of laziness and restlessness, for they are the keys to every evil. Indeed, whoever is lazy will not fulfill a right, and whoever is restless will not endure upon the truth."

Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Exalted hates a servant who sleeps excessively. Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Exalted hates a servant who is idle."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said to Bishir al-Nabbal: "When you are granted provision from something, remain committed to it."

Ishaq ibn Ammar narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: A man complained to the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) about trade. The Prophet said: "Look for merchandise, purchase it, and then sell it. Whatever you profit from it, remain committed to it."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Handle your major affairs personally, and delegate the smaller ones to others." It was asked: "What kind of tasks are you referring to?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Matters like buying and selling properties and similar transactions."

It is narrated from Al-Arqat that Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: "Do not spend your time wandering through markets, nor personally handle the purchase of minor goods. It does not befit a Muslim who possesses faith and honor to involve himself directly in purchasing small items-except in three matters. It is proper for a man of faith and dignity to personally handle these three matters: buying real estate, camels, and slaves."

Hisham ibn Salim narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام who said: "Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام used to gather firewood, draw water, and sweep, while Sayiida Fatimah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to grind, knead, and bake."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The buyer of real estate is blessed, while the seller of real estate is deprived."

Zurara narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: "A man does not leave behind anything more burdensome upon him than silent wealth (hoarded wealth)." I asked him, "What should he do with it?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Invest it in walls, orchards, and houses."

Abdul-Samad ibn Bashir narrate from Muawiyah ibn Ammar from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "When the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى entered Medina, he marked its houses with his foot and then said: 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, do not bless anyone who sells a piece of land from it.' "

Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام said: "It is written in the Torah that whoever sells land and water, and does not invest its price in land and water, its price will be lost in ruin."

Mu'awiyah ibn Ammar narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: I asked him about the earnings of a cupper (bloodletter). Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in it."

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) forbade 'Aseeb Al-Fahl', which is the fee for the mating of a stallion.

Abu Basir asked him about the price of a hunting dog. Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in its price, but as for the other type, its price is not permissible."

Imam عليه السلام said: "The wage of a prostitute is unlawful (suht), the price of a dog that is not a hunting dog is unlawful (suht), the price of wine is unlawful (suht), the earnings of a soothsayer are unlawful (suht), and the price of a dead animal is unlawful (suht). As for bribes in judgment, they amount to disbelief in Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty."

It is narrated: "The earnings of a male singer and a female singer are unlawful (suht)."

The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, forbade taking payment for recitation by one who does not recite except on a stipulated fee.

Al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar al-Qalanisi narrated: I said to Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, 'We make caps and place old cotton inside them, then sell them without informing the buyers of what is inside.' Imam عليه السلام replied: 'I would prefer that you inform them about what is inside.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Indeed, the one who consumes the wealth of an orphan will face its consequences both in this world and in the Hereafter. As for this world, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, says: 'And let those fear who, if they left behind weak offspring, would be afraid for them. So let them fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى...' (Surah An-Nisa 4:9). And as for the Hereafter, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, says: 'Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze.' (Surah An-Nisa 4:10)."

Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Saffar, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى be pleased with him, wrote to Imam Abu Muhammad Al-Hasan bin Ali عليه السلام asking: "A man escorts caravans without the order of the ruler in a fearful place, and they agree with him on a specific payment. Is it permissible for him to take it from them or not?" Imam عليه السلام said: "If he hires himself out for a well-known payment, he may take his due, Allah سبحانه وتعالى willing."

Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubaid Al-Yaqtini wrote to Abu Al-Hasan Imam Ali bin Muhammad Al-Askari عليه السلام, asking: "A man entrusted his son to another man and handed him over for a year with a known wage to sew for him. Then another man came and said to him, 'Hand over your son to me for a year with an increased wage.' Does he have the choice in this matter, and is it permissible for him to revoke the agreement made with the first man or not?" Imam عليه السلام replied in his handwriting: 'He must fulfill the agreement with the first man unless his son faces illness or weakness.'

Muhammad bin Khalid Al-Barqi narrated from Muhammad bin Sinan, who narrated from Abu Al-Hasan عليه السلام that he said: I asked him about hiring (employment). Imam عليه السلام said: 'It is permissible and there is no harm in it as long as one does it sincerely and to the best of his ability. Indeed, Musa bin Imran عليه السلام hired himself out and stipulated: "If you wish, for eight years, and if you wish, for ten years." Then Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, revealed regarding him: That you serve me for eight years, but if you complete ten, it will be of your own accord.'' (Surah Al-Qasas 28:27)

Muhammad bin Amr bin Abi Al-Miqdam narrated from Ammar Al-Sabati, who said: I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, about a man who trades but, if he hires himself out, earns more than he does in his trade. Imam عليه السلام said: 'He should not hire himself out but rather seek sustenance from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, and continue trading. For if he hires himself out, he will restrict his sustenance.'

Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Ju'fi narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, who said: 'Whoever hires himself out has restricted his sustenance. And how could he not restrict his sustenance when whatever he earns belongs to the master who hired him?'

Harun bin Hamzah Al-Ghanawi narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: I asked him about a man who hired a laborer, but neither of them trusted the other, so they deposited the wages with a third person. Then that third person died without leaving anything to cover the wages, and the wages were lost. Imam عليه السلام said: 'The employer is responsible for the wages of the laborer until they are settled, unless the laborer had invited the employer to do so and agreed to it. If he did, then his right is where he placed it and what he agreed upon.'

Ubayd bin Zurarah narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, that he said to him: 'O Ubayd, extravagance leads to poverty, and moderation leads to wealth.'

Muhammad bin Muslim asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, about a man who prepares medicine for people and takes a fee for it. Imam عليه السلام said: 'There is no harm in it.'

Al-Hasan bin Mahbub narrated from Ali bin al-Hasan bin Ribaat, from Abu Sarah, from Hind al-Sarraj, who said: I said to Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام: 'May Allah سبحانه وتعالى set you aright. I used to carry weapons to the people of Sham and sell them. But when Allah سبحانه وتعالى made me aware of this matter, I became distressed about that weaponry. I said, I will not carry it to the enemies of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.' Imam عليه السلام said: 'Carry it to them and sell it, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, uses them to repel our enemies and your enemies, meaning the Romans.' Imam عليه السلام continued, 'But if there is a war between us and them, whoever carries weapons to our enemy that they use against us is a polytheist.'

Al-Hasan bin Mahbub narrate from Abu Walad who said: I said to Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, 'What do you think about a man who holds positions in the service of the Sultan and has no means of livelihood except through his work for them? I pass by him, and he hosts me, treats me kindly, and sometimes gives me dirhams and clothing. I feel uneasy about this.' Imam عليه السلام said to me: 'Take it and eat from it, for the benefit is yours, and the sin is upon him.'

It is narrated from Abu al-Maghra, who said: A man asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, while I was present, 'May Allah سبحانه وتعالى rectify your affairs. I pass by the official or go to the official, and he grants me dirhams. Should I take them?' Imam عليه السلام said: 'Yes.' I asked: 'Can I perform Hajj with them?' Imam عليه السلام said: 'Yes, and perform Hajj with them.'

It is narrated from Ali ibn Yaqtin who said: Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said to me: 'Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Blessed and Exalted, has allies among the rulers through whom He سبحانه وتعالى repels harm from His سبحانه وتعالى friends.'

And in another narration: "They are the freed ones of Allah سبحانه وتعالى from the Fire."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The expiation for working for the ruler is fulfilling the needs of the brothers."

It is narrated from Ubayd ibn Zurarah that he said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام sent a man to Ziyad ibn Ubaydillah and said: "Appoint this person to some of your work."

Hariz narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim who said: I asked him about a man whose son has wealth, and the father is in need of it. Imam عليه السلام said: "He may take from it, but as for the mother, she should not take from it except as a loan upon herself."

Al-Husayn ibn Abi Al-Ala narrated that he said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, "What is permissible for a man to take from the wealth of his child?" Imam عليه السلام said: "His sustenance without extravagance if he is in need." He said: "I then asked him about the saying of the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family), 'You and your wealth belong to your father.'" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Indeed, the father brought his case to the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, this is my son, and he has wronged me concerning my inheritance from his mother.' The father then informed him that he had spent it on him and on himself. So, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'You and your wealth belong to your father.' The man had nothing left with him, so would the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) imprison a father for the sake of his son?'"

Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub narrated from Abdullah ibn Sinan, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said: "A woman has no authority with her husband regarding emancipation, charity, endowment, gift, or vow concerning her wealth, except with her husband's permission-except in the case of Zakat, kindness to her parents, or maintaining ties with her relatives."

It was said to Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام: "People narrate from the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) that he said: 'Charity is not permissible for a wealthy person nor for one who is strong and able-bodied.'" Imam عليه السلام replied: "He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم indeed said it is not permissible for a wealthy person, but he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم did not say for one who is strong and able-bodied."

Abu Al-Bakhtari narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام who said: "Helping a deaf person to hear without annoyance is a pleasant charity."

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said to a man: "Did you wake up fasting?" He replied: "No." He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Then did you visit a sick person?" He replied: "No." He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Then did you follow a funeral procession?" He replied: "No." He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Then did you feed a poor person?" He replied: "No." He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Then return to your family and be with them, for that is a charity from you to them."

A man came to the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام and said: "O Commander of the Faithful, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I love you." Imam عليه السلام said to him: "But I dislike you." The man asked: "Why?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Because you seek profit through the call to prayer (Adhan) and take payment for teaching the Quran."

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Whoever takes payment for teaching the Quran, his share will be [taken] on the Day of Judgment."

Al-Hakam ibn Miskin narrated from Qutaybah ibn Al-A'sha who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, "I recite the Quran, and gifts are given to me-should I accept them?" Imam عليه السلام said: "No." I said: "What if I did not stipulate it (as a condition)?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Tell me, if you had not recited it, would they have given you a gift?" I said: "No." Imam عليه السلام said: "Then do not accept it."

It is narrated from Isa ibn Shaqafi, who was a sorcerer to whom people would come, and he used to take payment for it. He said: I performed Hajj and met Abu Abdillah عليه السلام in Mina. I said to Him عليه السلام: "May I be your ransom! I am a man whose profession was sorcery, and I used to take payment for it. I have performed Hajj, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Exalted, has blessed me with meeting you, and I have repented to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Is there any way out for me regarding it?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes, undo (the spells) and do not tie (them)."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever passes by orchards, there is no harm in eating from their fruits, but he should not carry anything from them with him."