2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sanaa ‘ah who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, if one of us has a few things in his possession with which he meets his expenses and he also is indebted. Should he feed his family with that which he owns and wait until Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, grants him ease then pay his debts, or should he borrow on his back in difficult times for earning, or should he accept charity?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He has to pay the debt with what he owns, so he does not consume people’s belongings, except if he has something with which he can pay off their rights. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “You must not consume your belongings among yourselves in false manners unless it is a trading by mutual consent among you.” (4:29) He must not borrow on his back unless he has something with which he can make payment, he may also go door to door and they may send him back with a morsel or two or one piece of date or two, unless he has a heir (guardian) who pays off after him; no one of us dies for whom Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, does not make a heir (guardian) who takes charge of his means and his debts to make payments by his means.’”

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from al-Halabiy who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that a servant and a house must not be sold; it is necessary for a man to have a shelter and a servant.”

4. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Burayd al- ‘ Ij liy who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I am indebted’ - I think he said, ‘to the orphans’ and I am afraid if I sell my property I will be left without any assets.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not sell your property; however, you should pay a certain part and keep certain other parts.’” (Fatwa best explains this Hadith)

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Ahmar from ‘Abd Allah ibn Hammad from ‘Umar ibn Yazid who has said the following: “Once, when I was present, a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, asking to pay his debts. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is nothing with us today; however, tomorrow we will receive Khitr and wasma (henna) which will be sold and Allah willing, we will help you.’ The man then said, ‘Promise me.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘How can I promise you if I am more hopeful for what I do not expect than for what I do expect to happen?”’

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Yusuf ibn al-Sukht from Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sulayman from al-Fadl ibn Sulayman from al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Isa who has said the following: “Once, Ali ibn Al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, was placed under pressure. He went to one of his Mawla’ (friend or follower) and asked him to lend him ten thousand dirham up to the time he is able to pay back. He (his friend) said, ‘No, because it is not with me; however, I want a promissory note.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘He (the Imam) tore a piece from his gown and said this is the promissory note.’ His Mawla’ did not like it and became angry. He (the Imam) said, ‘Am I more trustworthy or Hajib ibn Zurarah?’ He (his Mawla’) replied, ‘You are more trustworthy than Hajib ibn Zurarah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘How is it that Hajib by depositing his bow, only a piece of wood, as a guarantee to bail out one hundred, also being a non-Muslim, kept up to his words and I will not keep up my word despite depositing a piece of my gown? 5 He (the narrator) said that his Mawla’ took the piece of his gown and lent him the dirhams and placed the piece of fabric in a container. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, granted him ease and he (the Imam) took the dirhams to return to the man and said, ‘Here is the dirhams. Where is the promissory note (the piece of my gown)? He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I have lost it.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You then cannot have your dirhams from me. One like me is not treated lightly in matters of trust.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘He then brought the container and the piece of fabric was in it. Ali ibn Al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, gave the dirhams to him and took the piece of fabric and threw it away and left.’”

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) from Yusuf ibn al-Sukht from Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sulayman from his father from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “‘Abd Allah was about to die and his creditors gathered around him demanding payment. He said to them, ‘I do not have any property to pay you but you may choose one of the sons of my uncle, Ali ibn Al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and ‘Abd Allah ibn Ja’far who will assume responsibility to pay you.’ They said, “Abd Allah ibn Ja’far is a procrastinator and slow to respond. Ali ibn Al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, does not have any properties but is a truthful person and more beloved one of the two to us.’ He then sent someone to inform him of the case, and he said, ‘I assume responsibility to pay you by the time of harvest,’ although he did not have any harvest but he said so to show kindness. The people said, ‘We accept your offer.’ He assumed the responsibility and when time for harvest came Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, made it possible for him to pay and he did so.”

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all ibn abu ‘Umayr from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Flamid from ‘Uthman ibn Ziyad who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, that a man owes me a certain amount and wants to sell his house to pay me. Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said, ‘I seek protection for you with Allah against taking him out of the shadow on his head.’”