This is part 9 of 22 of “The Book of Livelihood and Commerce (al-Ma'isha)”, book 18 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 8,706–8,755. The book is long enough that it is split across 22 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Monopolization (Hoarding) of goods in public demand applies to wheat, barley, dates, raisins and cooking butter only.’”
2. Muhammad ibn Ahmad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Hudhayfah ibn Mansur who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Once during the times of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, a severe shortage of food took place and the Muslims came to the Messenger of Allah saying, “O Messenger of Allah, food supplies are exhausted and there is no food left except that which so and so has hoarded; so command him to sell to people.” He, the Messenger of Allah praised Allah and glorified Him and then said, “O so and so, the Muslims have informed me that food supplies have become serious. Food is not available except that which is with you. You must bring it in public and sell them as you like, but you must not keep it in hoarding.’””
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Hoarding means buying such food supplies of a city beside which no other food supplies are available. If other food supplies are available in a city or someone else sells food, then it is permissible to buy food supplies and keep them hoarded to sell later with higher prices.’ He (the narrator) has said, I asked him about oil and he replied, ‘If it is available with people other than you then there is no offense in it.’”
4. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from abu al-Fadl Salim al-Hannat who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once asked me, ‘What is your business?’ I replied, ‘It is selling wheat. At times business is good and sometimes it is not good so I hold selling.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘What do people who visit you say about it?’ I replied, ‘They say, “He is a hoarder.’” He (the Imam) asked, ‘Does anyone else sell wheat besides you?’ I replied, ‘I sell only one out of a thousandth of what is sold in the market.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Then there is no offense in what you do. The person who hoarded food was Hakim ibn Hizam. He would buy all food supplies that came to al- Madinah. The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, passed by his place and said, “O Hakim ibn Hizam, you must not hoard (food supplies).””’
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who hoarded food supplies and waited for higher prices. Is it permissible?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If there is plenty of food available to people to buy, then there is no offense in it; but if there are food shortages and people are not able to buy from other places, then it (such hoarding) is undesirable to leave people without food.’”
6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy from ibn al-Qaddah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ’One who supplies the market receives his sustenance and a hoarder is condemned.’”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’At a time when food is abundantly available, keeping food for forty days is considered hoarding, but at the time of shortages of food holding back food supplies for three days is considered hoarding. After forty days at a time when food is abundant a hoarder is condemned and at the time of scarcity of food after three days the hoarder is condemned.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Isma’il ibn Mehran from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “Once shortages of food took place in al-Madinah and even affluent people would mix wheat and barley for food and buy only a small amount of food. Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, had a good quality of food which he had purchased earlier in the beginning of the year. He (the Imam) then asked one of his agents to buy a certain amount of barely and mix it with their good quality of food or sell this good quality of food; adding, ‘I do not like to consume good quality of food when people consume a worse quality of food.’”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ali ibn ‘Isma’il from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Jahm ibn abu Jahm from Mu‘attib who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once, when food prices were rising, asked me, ‘How much food do we have?’ I (the narrator) replied, ‘There is enough food for several months.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Take it out to sell.’ I (the narrator) I said, ‘There is not enough food in al-Madinah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must sell it.’ When I sold he (the Imam) said, ‘You must buy food every day as other people do.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O Mu‘attib, make half the supplies of food for my family from wheat and the other half barely; Allah knows that I can provide them wheat as it is, but I like that Allah see me planning my finances in a good manner.’”
3. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, from Muhsin ibn Ahmad from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from Mu‘attib who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would command, at the time of harvest of fruit, to take them out and sell and then buy every day as Muslim people do.”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Nasr ibn Ishaq al-Kufiy from ‘Abbad ibn Habib who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ’Buying wheat removes poverty but buying flour brings poverty and buying bread is destruction.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to grant you long life, what about one who is not able to buy wheat?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’That is for one who is capable but does not do so.’”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn al-Mundhir al-Zabbal from Muhammad ibn Fudayl who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If you have one dirham buy wheat with it; buying flour is destruction.’”
3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Ali from ‘Abd Allah ibn Jabalah from abu al-Sabbah al-Kinaniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once said to me, ‘O abu al-Sabbah, buying flour is humiliation, buying wheat is honor and buying bread is poverty; we seek protection with Allah against poverty.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Yunus ibn Ya’qub, who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘A people complained before the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, against quick depletion of their food supplies. He (the Holy Prophet), asked, ’Do you measure or just dump?’ They replied, ’We just dump, O Messenger of Allah, that is, we do not measure.’ He (the Holy Prophet) said, ‘You must measure, you must not dump, measuring has greater blessings.’”
2. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father Harun ibn al-Jahm from Hafs ibn ‘Umar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Measure your food; blessings come with measured food.’”
3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan Shammun from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al- Rahman from Misma’ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once said to me, ‘O abu Sayyar, when the female servant prepares food, ask her to measure; blessings come with measurement.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn’ Adhafir from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘A man once complained before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, against his deprivation. He (the Holy Prophet) said, ‘Consider selling. You must buy then sell. In whatever merchandise you find profit, hold to it.’”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If one starts a certain business, if he does not find any profit in it, he then must change it for another kind of business.’”
3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Ali ibn Shajarah from Bashir al-Nabbal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you (in a business) find sustenance in a certain item then you must continue with it.”
1. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Jabbar from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from ’Urwah ibn ‘ Abd Allah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You must not travel to meet the caravan of suppliers out of the city before other buyers. One must not buy for the ones who are not present. Allah grants sustenance to the Muslims through one another.”’
2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Muthanna’ al-Hannat from Minhal al-Qassab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once said, ‘You must not travel to meet the caravan of suppliers out of the city before other buyers, you must not buy from those you meet in this way and you must not eat from items purchased in this way.’”
3. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Yahya al-Kahily from Minhal al-Qassab who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘What is the limit of going out to meet a caravan of suppliers?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is a distance of one Rawhah (four Farasikh which is equal to six miles)”’
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj from Minhal al-Qassab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once said, ‘You must not travel to meet the caravan of suppliers out of the city before other buyers; the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, prohibited it.’ I then asked, ‘What are its limits?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is less than a morning or evening’s journey.’ I then asked, ‘How much is that?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is four farasikh (which is equal to six miles).”’ Ibn abu ‘Umayr has said, ‘Above this distance does not apply to “meeting suppliers.”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from all from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘If one forms a stipulation against the book of Allah, it is not permissible for him as well for the other party. However, the Muslims must stand by their stipulations which agree with the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. 5 ”
2. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from Ali ibn Ri’ab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘A stipulation, the right and choice to return a merchandise, in the case of an animal is applicable only up to three days in favor of the buyer, regardless he has formed any stipulation or not. If the buyer Ahdatha (does something to the animal) before the passing of three days, it is his agreement and acceptance of what he has purchased and it is the end of stipulation . 5 Someone asked, ‘What is Ahdatha ?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It means such as his touching, kissing or looking to what is not lawful for him to look at before buying . 555
3. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from ibn Sinan who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who buys an animal or a slave and sets condition good for one or two days; then the slave or animal dies or Ahdatha (does something to it). Who then is responsible for this ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is on the seller until the time of stipulation of three days expires. Thereafter it belongs to the buyer . 555
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil and ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once heard abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “The buyer and the seller each has the choice to dismiss a contract before they depart each other. In a deal for animals it is for three days . 55 5 I then asked, ‘What happens if a man buys something from another man and leaves it with the seller to keep until his return with the purchase price ? 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘If he returns within three days the contract is valid, otherwise, there is no deal . 555
5. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Both buyer and seller, each one of them, has the choice to dismiss a deal before they depart each other; and in a deal for an animal the choice to return the merchandise remains for three days . 555
6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil from Fudayl who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘What is a stipulation in a deal for animals ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is valid for three days in favor of a buyer . 5 I then asked, ‘What is it in a deal for non-animal ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘A buyer and a seller have the choice to dismiss a deal until they depart each other. After their departing each other there is no choice after their agreement.’”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hammad from af-Hafabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If a man buys something from another man, he has the choice to dismiss the deal before they depart each other. When they depart the deal becomes binding.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, then said, ‘My father once purchased a piece of land called “al-‘Arid”. He purchased it for a few dinars and said to the seller. “I will give you a leaf (silver) for every dinar ten dirhams.” He purchased it and moved. I followed him and asked, “O father, why did you move so quickly?” He (the Imam) replied, “I wanted the transaction to become binding.’””
8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘I once purchased something from someone; then I got up and walked a few steps, then returned to the meeting place so that the deal becomes binding.’”
9. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama‘ah from more than one person from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who purchases a slave-girl from another man with a stipulation for one or two days and she dies with him and the price is paid. Who is responsible?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘There is no responsibility on the buyer until the time of stipulation expires.’”
10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Al-Husayn from Safwan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “One who had heard from abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, informed me saying, ‘A man asked the Imam, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when I was present. A Muslim man needed to sell his house and he went to his brother and said. “I want to sell this house to you because I like it to be with you instead of being with others, with one condition that if within a year I come back with money to pay you, return it back to me.’” He replied, ‘I agree. If you come back with payment within a year I will give it back to you.’ I further said, ‘This house had a certain amount of income. Who then can have the income?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Income belongs to the buyer; were it (the house) to burn down it would come from his property.’”
11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Jamil from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who purchases something from a man and leaves it with him saying, ‘I will come back with payment.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he comes back with payment within three days the transaction is valid, otherwise, it is not valid.’”
12. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Hilal from ‘Uqbah ibn abu Khalid who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who purchases something from a man and makes a binding deal and then leaving the merchandise with him without taking possession saying, Tomorrow, by the will of Allah, I will come back.’ Someone steals the merchandise. Whose property is it considered? He (the Imam) replied, Tt is the property of the seller until the buyer takes possession and it is taken away from the seller’s house. When this happens the buyer is responsible until he returns it back to the seller.’”
13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘In the case of slaves the deal becomes binding after three days. If slaves may have certain defects such as mental condition, leprosy and so on. It becomes binding after one year if the defect is insanity. After one year the choice does not remain of any effect.’”
14. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from Sa‘id ibn Yasar who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘We meet people who live in tents far from cities and others. We sell to them certain things and make profit like ten, twelve or thirteen and for a payment after a year and so on. The buyer writes for us to leave his house or land if he did not come with payment. He has taken possession and purchase is finalized. We then wait. If he came with payment within the set time his things are returned to him and if he did not come within the set time with payment we take his things. What do you say about it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I say that if he did not come with payment within the set time his things become yours but if he comes within the set time you must return his things to him.’”
15. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from mad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Muhammad ibn abu Hamzah or others from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “About the case of a man who buys something which is perishable the same day and leaves it with the seller to bring payment, abu ‘Abd Allah, or abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If he brings payment from that time until night falls the transaction is valid, otherwise, he has no deal.’”
16. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Al-Husayn from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn al- Hajjaj who has said the following: “I once purchased a carriage and paid a certain amount of the price, then left it with the seller. I remained engaged for several days then went to the seller to take possession. He said, ‘I have sold it.’ I laughed and said, ‘By Allah, I will not allow you to do this without asking for a judgment.’ He said, ‘Will you agree to go for judgment before abu Bakr ibn ‘Ayyash?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I agree.’ We went to him and told him about our stories. Abu Bakr asked, ‘On the basis of whose words you want me to decide?’ He (the narrator) has said that I asked him to decide on the basis of the words of my companion (Imam).’ He said, ‘I heard him (Imam) say, “If one brings payment within three days the deal is valid, otherwise, there is no deal in his favor.’”
17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once issued the following judgment: A man had purchased a dress with a stipulation to pay until midday. The buyer was offered profit and he wanted to sell. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must present testimony to prove that the seller agreed and the deal was binding, then he can sell it if he so wants. If he displays it in the market without selling, it makes the transaction binding.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from those whom he has mentioned from abu al-Mighra’ from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “This is about the case of a man who had purchased a sheep and had kept it for three days; then returned it, abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If during those three days he had consumed its milk he returns it with three handful of food. If the sheep did not have any milk he then does not owe anything.”’ Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy from abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, a similar Hadith.
1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said the following: “About the case of a man who sells something and the buyers says, ‘I pay so and so’ which is less than what the seller wants, abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, The words of seller are accepted on oath if the merchandise still exists.”’
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Al-Husayn ‘Umar ibn Yazid from his father, who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the two business people speak the truth the transaction is a blessing for them; but if they speak lies and cheat, it does not become a blessing for them. They have the choice to keep or dismiss the transaction as long as they you must not depart each other. After they depart the words of the owner of merchandise are accepted or they can mutually agree to dismiss the transaction.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hajjal from Tha’labah from Burayd who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far. ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about al-Ratbah (a grass, cattle feed) which is sold in the form of one, two or three crops. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it.’ I asked many such questions and every time he (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it. 5 I then said, ‘May Allah keep you well’ - because of feeling shy due to my numerous questions and his words, ‘There is no offense in it’- those nearby may spoil for us all of this. He (the Imam) said, ‘I think they have heard the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah about palm trees.’ At this time someone caused an interruption and I remained quiet. I then asked Muhammad ibn Muslim to ask abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of the Messenger of Allah in regard to palm trees. Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once came out and heard a great deal of noise. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked about it. It was said to him, “People buy fruits of the coming year of palm trees in exchange for dates.” The Messenger of Allah said, “If they do so they must buy the fruits of the coming year when something of such fruits appears, and they must not make it unlawful.’””
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Someone once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about buying dates, grapes and fruits of three or four years. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it. He (the buyer) can say, “If fruits will not grow this year they will do so next year.” If you buy the fruits of one year only then you must not do so until they are ripe. If you buy them before three years there is no offense in it if the deal takes place before they are ripe.’ Someone asked about buying a certain fruit of a certain land but the fruit of all of that land is ruined. He (the Imam) said, ‘There was dispute about it and it was brought before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and they kept speaking about it. When he found out that they do not stop disputing, he prohibited them from such transactions until ripening of fruits and did not make it unlawful. However, he did so because of their disputes.’”
3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn al-Washsha’ who has said the following: “I once asked al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘Is buying dates permissible when they are formed?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is permissible when they Yazhu.’ I then asked, ‘What is Yazhu?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is when they turn red, yellow and so on.’”
4. Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Rib’iy who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I have palm tree fruits in Basrah. I sell them for a certain price excluding one Kur (a certain measurement) of the dates or more or the cluster of dates.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about selling for two years?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, this is great among us.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘As you mentioned it, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had made it permissible but they wronged each other. He, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, then said, ‘You must not buy it until fruits appear and are out of danger.”’
5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Al-Husayn from Safwan from Ya’qub ibn Shu’ayb who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If inside the walls there are different fruits and certain kinds are ripe, then there is no offense in buying all of it.’”
6. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from ibn Sama’ah from more than one person from ‘Isma’il ibn al-Fadl who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) about selling fruits. ‘Is it permissible to buy fruits before they are formed?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If in that area such deals are made and they are profitable which is achieved then there is no offense in such transaction.’”
7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ’Isa from Sama’ah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) about selling fruits. ‘Is it permissible to buy fruits before they are formed?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘No, it is not permissible unless something else alongside is also purchased, like animal feed or vegetables when the buyer says, ‘I buy this much animal feed and dates from you and this tree in exchange for so and so prices.’ In case, if no fruits appeared the buyers’ capital remains with animal feed or vegetables.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about buying tree leaves. Is it permissible to buy them in three or four kharatat (crops)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you can see leaves on the tree you can buy it for whatever number of cropping you may like.’”
Muwaththaq· al-Majlisi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
