The Matters Permissible in Endowment, Charity, Gift, Present, Providing Conditional Housing and Matters Permissible or otherwise for a Child and others

38. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from al-Husayn ibn al-Nu’aym who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa عليه السلام, about the case of a man who has given a house to a man to live in for his lifetime, or it is for him and those whom he leaves behind, as the condition may be. I then said, ‘If needed can he then sell it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so.’ I then asked, ‘Does such a sale cancel its being given to the man for his living a lifetime?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The sale does not cancel its being given to one for living therein a lifetime. That is how I heard my father عليه السلام, say that abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, has said, “Selling does not cancel tenancy and rentals or being given to live a lifetime therein according to the condition and rent.’” I then asked, ’What happens if the tenant asks for his expenses, building and maintenance for what he has rented?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is with mutual agreements then it is not harmful.’”