Chapter on Pledging (Rahn)

Safwan ibn Yahya narrated from Ishaq ibn Ammar, who said: "I asked Abu Ibrahim (Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام) about a man who pledges a slave, garment, jewelry, or household items as collateral, and the owner of the property tells the creditor, 'You are permitted to use this garment, wear it, benefit from the property, and use the servant.' The Imam عليه السلام replied: 'It is lawful for him if the owner permits it, but I do not like him to do so.' " I then asked: 'What if someone pledges a house that produces income, who does the income belong to?' Imam عليه السلام replied: 'The income belongs to the owner of the house.' " I further asked: 'What if someone pledges a barren land and the owner of the land tells him to cultivate it for himself?' Imam عليه السلام replied: 'This is lawful. It is not the same as the previous case. He cultivates it with his own money, so it is lawful for him as the owner has permitted it, because he invests his own resources and develops the land.' "