Liability of Carrier Animals and Owners of Ships

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Musa ibn Bakr who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan عليه السلام, about the case of a man who hired a ship from a sailor and loaded it with foodstuff, with the condition that if it was reduced he was liable. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.’ I then said, ‘Perhaps it increases.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Does the sailor claim that he has increased anything to it?’ I replied, ‘No, he does not claim.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It belongs to the owner of the foodstuff and he is liable for reduction if it is stipulated.’”