2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from those who narrated to him who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Doing business increases one’s power of reason.’”

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muhammad al- Za’faraniy from who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘One who seeks business becomes independent of people.’ I then asked, ‘Even if he has dependents?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, even if he has dependents; nine-tenth of sustenance is in business.’”

4. Ahmad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu al-Jahm from Fudayl al-A’war who has said the following: “I was present when Mu‘adh ibn Kathir said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I have become affluent so I want to quit business.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you do so your power of reason will decrease’- or similar expression.”

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu ‘Isma’il from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once asked, ‘What do you do?’ I replied, ‘I am not doing anything today.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is how your wealth goes away and it becomes difficult for you.’”

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu al-Faraj al-Qummiy from Mu’adh, Bayya’ al-Akyisah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once asked me, ‘O Mu‘adh, have you become weak in doing business or have withdrawn thereof?’ I replied, ‘I have not become weak or withdrawn.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What then is the matter?’ I replied, ‘We were waiting for a certain issue because when Walid was killed, I had a great deal of goods which was in my possession; and I did not owe anything to anyone and did not think I can finish it before my death.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘So you have quitted business, but quitting business takes away one’s power of reason. Strive for the sake of your dependents and never give them a chance to complain against you.’”

7. Muhammad and others have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Ali ibn ‘Atiyyah from Hisham ibn Ahmar who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say to Musadif, ‘Proceed toward your honor, meaning thereby place of business, the market place.’”

8. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, from Sharif ibn Sabiq from al-Fudayl ibn abu Qurrah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once asked about a man, when I was present, ‘What is holding him back from performing Hajj?’ It was said, ’He has quit business and his wealth is reduced.’ He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) was leaning and he moved to a straight sitting position, and said, to them, ‘You must not quit doing business to become humiliated. Do business, I pray to Allah to grant you blessings.’”

9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from has narrated from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya from his grandfather, al-Hassan ibn Rashid from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Engage yourselves in business; it helps you become independent of what is in the hands of people.’”

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Hudhayfah ibn Mansur from Mu’adh ibn Kathir, Bayya’ al-Akyisah who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I am thinking to quit doing business in market place while there is a certain amount of wealth in my hands.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Then your opinion becomes of no value and no one will seek help from you.’”

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn’ Udhaynah from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I have quit doing business and have withdrawn thereof.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Why is that, are you helpless? This is how your wealth goes away. You must not quit doing business. You must continue to seek favors from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

12. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Abd Allah al-Hajjal from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Burayd al-Tjliy wanted to get married. Burayd said, to Muhammad, ‘Ask abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al- Salam, about what I am planning to do. I want to return people’s properties left with me for safe- keeping and it keeps me involved. Thereafter I like to stay away from the worldly things and return everyone’s things that belong to them. He (the narrator) has said, ‘Muhammad asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about it, informed him of the story and asked about his decision.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Does he want to start a fight against his own soul? He must not do so. Instead, he must give and take for the sake of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”