The Crafts (Technologies)

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, loves persons who are trustworthy and possess technical skills/” In another Hadith it is said, ‘Allah, most High, loves the skillful believer.’”

“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘A Hadith has reached me from al-Hassan al-Basriy. If it is a true Hadith then, ‘We are for Allah and to Him we return.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What does it say?’ ‘I am told that al-Hassan al-Basriy would say that even if his brain comes to a boiling point due to the hot sun, he will not seek shelter of the shadow of a wall that belongs to a money changer. Even if his liver cracks down because of thirst he will not use the water that comes from the house of a money changer.’ This is my business and profession. With this business my flesh and blood have grown. With this business I have performed Hajj and ‘Umrah.’ He (the Imam) sat straight and said, ‘Al-Hassan has spoken a lie. Take with fairness and give with fairness. When it is time for Salat (prayer), stop doing business and rise for Salat (prayer). Did you know that people of the cave were Say ar if ah (money exchangers)?”’

“I heard a man asking abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), saying, ‘I prepare (special kind of flour) and sell it but people say that it should not be done.’ Al-Rida (a.s.), said to him, ‘What is wrong with it? There is no offense in selling things in which a servant maintains piety before Allah.’”

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him of the birth of my son. He asked, ‘Why do you not name him Muhammad?’ I replied, ‘I have already done so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘You must not beat up a Muhammad and do not abuse him. Allah will make him the delight to your eyes during your life time as well as a truthful successor for you.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, in what kind of profession should I involve him?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you keep him away from five kinds of professions then instruct him in whatever you like. You must not train him in money changing business; he will not remain safe from unlawful interest. You must not teach him selling coffins; such people become happy with the coming of plague when such disease is around. You must not teach him in selling foods; they do not remain safe from stockpiling (hoarding) food. Do not instruct him as a butcher; it reduces his kindness. You must not instruct him in how to sell slaves; the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “The worst people are people sellers.’””

“This is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah, Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) has said, ‘I gave a boy to my aunt and prohibited her from making him a butcher, cupping person or a jewelry carver.’”

“Once I visited Abu ’Abdullah (a.s). I had two pieces of fabric materials with me. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Abu Isma'il, from your area people bring us many kinds of fabrics but not like these two pieces that you carry.’ I said, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, the mother of Isma’il prepares threads and I weave them.’ He (the Imam) asked, ’Are you a weaver?’ I replied, ’Yes, I am a weaver.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not be a weaver.’ I then asked, ‘What kind of work should I do then?’ He (the Imam) said, ’Work as a sword polisher.’ I had two hundred dirhams with me with which I purchased swords and sold. I took them to al-Rayy, sold them, and made a large profit.’”

a Shaykh from our people of al-Kufah has said following: ‘Once ‘Isa ibn Shafaqiy visited abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam. He was a magician. People would come to him and he charged them a certain amount for wages. He said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I work as a magician and I charge a certain amount as my wages to earn for my living. From such incomes I have performed Hajj and Allah has granted me the opportunity to visit you. I have repented before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. Is there a way out to safety for me from this?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Open it up (turn it ineffective) but do not tie down (make it effective).”’ (Fatwa best explains this hadith and the following Chapters. Please consult Fatwa.)