Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Etiquette of Salutation, Shaking Hands, Embracing, Kissing, Sneezing and of Sitting in a Company and Dispersing the Company

1. Etiquette and sanctity of salutations and answering the salutations:

According to reliable traditions, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had asked his companions to possess or cultivate seven qualities:

a) Visiting the ill

b) To accompany the coffin of the dead

c) To believe and agree to a word which a person gives with an oath or promise

d) To pray for anyone who sneezes

e) To encourage and give help and moral support to the innocent

f) To salute everyone

g) To accept an invitation of hospitality

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), if a person starts talking before saluting then one should not answer him and until he salutes, one should not invite him for food.

In another tradition the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has stated that a person who salutes ten people during his busy schedule will get the reward of liberating a slave.

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), when a person is saluting he should do so in a loud tone that he may not have to complain that though he had saluted no one had replied. In the same manner, one should answer the salutations in a loud tone, that the one who is saluting may not have a chance to complain that though he had saluted no one had answered the salutations.

It is stated from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) that three types of persons, even if alone, should be addressed in plural form. The person who sneezes should say:

‘May Allah show his pity towards you.’

even though no one may be with him. Secondly, whomsoever you salute, you should say:

‘Let the salam (greetings) of Allah descend upon you.’Or ‘Allah's Salam on you.’

though he may be alone. And when you are praying for someone, you should say:‘May Allah grant you peace.’

even though he may be all alone. Always, one should use plural form because there are angels accompanying momins. Therefore, one can include even the momins who are not present, in salam and Doa (salutations and prayers).

It is stated from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) that one should not salute three types of persons:

a) A person who is walking alongwith the janaza

b) A person who is going for Namaz-e-Jumma (Friday prayers)

c) A person who is in the bathroom and perhaps has no cloth wrapped around him

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), if a person reaches the mosque when everybody is busy with prayers then he should not salute (say salam) to those who are busy in prayers, instead he should take the name of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and join the prayers concentrating on them. But if you reach a gathering where people are talking among themselves, then you should surely perform the salutations.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), when one enters one's house, one should say salams to all those present in the house but wheen the house is empty, one should say:

‘May peace be on us from our Creator.’

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), when you meet each other, you should say salams and shake hands and when you part with each other then you should pray for each other's salvation.

According to another tradition, a person who, on reaching his home, performs salams to the members of his family (wife and children), God will bless his house and the angels will cultivate an association and affection with it.

2. Etiquette of shaking hands, touching necks (embracing) and kissing:

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), the salutation is complete when people shake hands after saluting each other provided they are living in the same city; but if a person has returned from a journey then his salutation is only complete after embracing.

A reliable tradition from Hazrat Abu Obeida states that he was sitting in the same kajawa with Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) while once travelling together. While boarding the kajawa Abu Obeida used to sit inside first and then the Imam (a.s.) used to follow and when both had seated themselves comfortable in the kajawa, then the Imam (a.s.) used to salute him and ask about his welfare as though he had met him after a long time. And when it was time for alighting, then the Imam (a.s.) used to step down first and Abu Obeida used to follow. And when both reached the ground safely, then the Imam (a.s.) used to salute Abu Obeida and ask of his welfare in the same manner. Then Abu Obeida said, "O son of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) none of the people around us say and do what you say and do." Then the Imam (a.s.) replied that perhaps Abu Obeida was unaware of the rewards of salutation and hand-shaking; as long as two momins are busy in saluting each other and shaking hands, their sins are falling away from them as leaves from trees and as long as these two are in each other's company, God is blessing them with his kindness and mercy.

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), whenever the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to shake hands, he never used to withdraw his hand unless the other person returned it first.

In another tradition he has stated that one should shake hands as shaking hands lessens rift.

3. Gathering and etiquette of sitting in the gatherings:

It is stated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had willed unto Hazrat Ali (a.s.) that if eight types of persons are insulted, then they should curse themselves:

a) A person who is an un-invited guest at a party

b) A person who dominates over the Lord of the house

c) A person who expects kindness from his enemies

d) A person who expects to be obliged by the stingy and mean people

e) A person who interferes when two persons are talking without permission

f) A person who is scared of the king

g) A person who sits at a place in the gathering which is below his dignity

h) A person who is talking to another person who is not hearing his talk

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), a person who sits at the head of gathering without possessing these qualities is a fool:

a) Whatever question is put to him, he should be able to answer

b) When other people are fed up of talking about justice, he should be able to clarify the complete picture

c) He should advise in such a manner that people are benefitted by following that advice

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), when a group is sitting in a gathering then a momin should sit behind it as jumping over the heads of the squatters to reach the celebrity of the gathering is lack of manners.

In another tradition he has stated that in a large gathering someone has taken your place and other people are making place for you, then you should accept their hospitality and sit, as it is a sign of respect shown to you by a brother momin. If there is no place left and no one is making place for you, then you should sit where ever it is possible.

According to another tradition, if a person visits a house, he should sit where the master of the house asks him to, as he is aware of the virtues and faults of his own house.

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) has stated that one should never sit on a public highway.'

In another tradition he (a.s.) has stated that when one is sitting among people, one should never sit with open legs.

According to Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), if a person feels happy to sit at a place which is below his honour, then God and His angels will send durood on him as long as he is thus seated.

A tradition from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) always used to sit facing Qibla.

In another tradition he (a.s.) has stated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to sit in three ways - at times his knees used to be above the ground and his hands around his knees with the palm of one interlocked in the palm of the other. At other times he used to sit as one sits during prayers with knees bent on the ground and hands kept on the knees. He also used to sit by placing one foot over other; but he never used to sit all spread out on both the knees.

A tradition from Abu Hamza states that he saw Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.) seated with his one foot kept on the thigh of the other. He told the

Imam (a.s.) that people do not think it proper to sit in this manner as this posture is supposed to be that of God. The Imam (a.s.) replied that he sat in this way on account of fatigue; but the Almighty God never gets tired neither He feels sleepy. He has no body (form) for which sitting, standing or sleeping is necessary. The Almighty is above all these things.

A reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) quotes that when people sit together during summer season, they should have a distance of at least a palm-stretch between each other.

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), if a person sits all spread out in a tight place, then one should never consider him as a human being.

4. Those gatherings where one is allowed to go and those people with whom one is allowed to move:

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), one should follow that man who makes you cry, but he is your well-wisher; but one should never accept the lead of that man who makes you laugh, but is playing fraud with you.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has advised everyone to know well those with whom one moves, for when he will die, he will be counted as their companion. If one moves about with one well-behaved and pious then He is happy and if he is ill-behaved and sinister, then He is hurt and therefore sad.

Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that he considered that fellow his best friend who speaks about his faults on his face. He also advised us to consider our love compulsory to old friends and to be afraid of the company of new friends; for the new ones generally never fulfill their promise and never depend on anyone, however near they may be to us.

At the time of his (a.s.) departure from the material and temporary world, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) has willed that a muslim should never visit places which can make one notorious and to refrain from keeping company with those about whom people hold no good opinion, for the bad always leaves his friend in a lurch.

Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) has stated that one should save oneself from doubtful situation and circumstances which can lead to gossip and notriety. A man should not even stand with his mother on a wayside, for all the way-farers may not know that she is his mother.

Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.) had asked us not to keep company of five persons on any account:

a) A liar, who is like a mirage and will make you see far-off things as near-at-hand and near-at-hand things as beyond one's reach

b) A wicked and vicious person, for he will sell you (your weakness) to another for a single meal or less than it

c) The stingy, for he will never help you with his possession even when you are in deep trouble

d) The fool, for even if you are to be benefitted, it will turn into a loss

e) A heartless person, who disconnects himself from his relatives, as God has cursed him in three places in the Holy Quran

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the company of lower grade of people, women and the very rich, makes a coward of one.

Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that one should keep away from the company of dissenters as people may think the same about them.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the most wise among men is he who runs away from the company of the ignorant.

Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that a person who does not stop a brother momin from a wrong act when it is within his means, then he is not fulfilling the demands of true friendship. A person who does not refrain himself from the company of a fool will very soon be deprived of his own manners.

In another tradition he has stated that there are four acts which do not reap any harvest:

a) Loving him who does not return your love

b) Obliging a person who does not accept your obligation

c) Imparting knowledge to a person who does not pay heed

d) Confiding your secret in someone who cannot keep it

A tradition states that the companions asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as to whose company they should keep. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) answered that they should keep company with those, the sight of whom will remind them of God, whose talk will increase your knowledge and whose acts will take you nearer to the ultimate reality.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has said that four things make a coward of one:

a) Sinning continuously

b) Talking a lot with women

c) Quarrelling with fools who think something entirely different when you are talking about one thing

d) Sitting a lot with men. When people asked for an explanation of the term ‘mean’, the Holy Prohet (s.a.w.a.) said that mean are those people who have forgotten God.

A reliable tradition states that Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.) used to advise his children to keep company with thsoe who have love of God and if such people are not available, then loneliness is better than the company of others, as it is a source of welfare; and in case one is compelled to keep company, then one should sit in the company of those who are kind as they do not abuse.

Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) has stated that one should respect and guard the companions or associates of one's father, as rendering a kindness unto them is equal to being kind to one's own father.

In another tradition he (a.s.) has stated that Hazrat Luqman (a.s.) used to tell his son that he should observe the people before he moves with them. If there is a group who remembers God, then he should sit among them; for if he is a scholar, then they will be benefitted by his knowledge and their knowledge will increase. In case he is ignorat, then he will be benefitted by their knowledge and it is probable that God is blessing them and including him among His blessing. If there is a group which has forgotten God then he should not sit among them, for if he is ignorant, then his ignorance will be increased and it is possible that God is sending punishment or curses on them and he will be included in them.

In another tradition it has been stated that one should visit a place from one's own place only when one has the following reasons:

a) Visiting the House of God (Ka'aba)

b) Visiting the houses of religious scholars as one is benefitted by it and has to face losses by opposing them

c) Visiting the scholars for gaining religious or worldly knowledge

d) Visiting the houses of generous people who give away their possession for the reward of the Day of Judgement

e) Visiting the home of a fool as circumstances at times make you take their obligation

f) Visiting the house of rich people for gaining honour or meeting your needs

g) Visiting those people whom people think as responsible for taking their advice and suggestion; and whose sober attitude and stability makes one expect a lot from them

h) Visiting a fellow-momin as one is morally bound to look after another momin

i) Visiting the house of one's enemies as constant visits can soften enmity and clear misunderstandings (when there is no risk)

j) Visiting those gatherings which elevate one's manners, love and generosity

5. Ways of sneezing, spitting and belching:

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), when one momin meets another momin, he is obliged to salute him and when a momin gets ill, he is obliged to visit him and when one momin sneezes, he is obliged to pray in his interest.

A momin who sneezes should compulsority say:

‘All praise is to Allah Who nourishes all creatures and Who has no partner.’

In another tradition it is stated that a man is healthy and fit because God has blessed him with certain conditions; but man forgets to thank God for his blessings; therefore God orders the air to pass through his body and escape from the nose. This is the cause why one is supposed to praise God when sneezing, as this praise is a way of thanksgiving; and in case one has neglected thanks, then the praise is a way of appeasment for the aforementioned carelessness.

Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that once a young boy (a minor) was sitting near the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). When he sneezed and said ‘Alhamdolillah’, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied:"May Allah bless you in this."

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), one should not spit towards the Qibla and in case one does it by forgetfulness, then one should send istagfar.

6. Etiquette of joking, laughing, whispering, sitting in a company and of keeping the sanctity of a gathering:

According to a tradition coming from Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), one should not whisper when there are only three people gathered, as it is bound to hurt the third person present.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), when a person ignores and cuts short the talk of a fellow-momin, it is like scratching the face of the fellow-momin.

Many traditions have stated that when one sits with someone, or in some gathering, then one should not disclose the talk which had taken place in their company before others, unless one has taken their prior permission.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), one should keep the sanctity of all meetings and gatherings except when murder, rape or loot were committed.

Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that there is no momin who is not used to humour and is also well-behaved.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), a person who enlivens the mood of a company, is considered a friend by the Almighty God, provided he is not using bad language for the purpose.

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), a momin only laughs with a smile, not with a loud sound.

In another tradition he (a.s.) has stated that laughing loudly makes a coward of a man and wastes faith in the same manner as salt melts in water; and that laughing without any purpose is ignorance.

Yet in another tradition, laughing a lot has been prohibited as it spoils the youthfulness of one's looks.

He (a.s.) has also stated that you can only joke with those you are intimate with, but you should never use your hands and feet (i.e. no practical jokes should be done).

A reliable tradition states that when one roars with laughter, one is submitting oneself to shaitan and a lot of laughing robs one of one's look of freshness.

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) has stated that one should not make fun of others as it is understood to be a low type of abuse and it creates more improper feelings in the other's heart.

A reliable tradition from Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) states that joking a lot makes one lose the light of faith and lessens generosity and manliness.

In another tradition it is stated that Prophet Yahya (a.s.) used to cry only - he never smiled. Whereas Prophet Esa (Jesus) (a.s.) used to cry and laugh as well. In another tradition it is related that Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) asked his son Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) that he should not laugh a lot, for a lot of laughing makes a man poor on the Day of Judgement.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has stated that for a person aware of hell it is very difficult to laugh.

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), people who laugh a lot, just to while their time or on account of corruption, will have to cry a lot on the Day of Judgement. There are a few people who cry over their sins and they will laugh a lot.

All these traditions emphasize that a momin should not always make a face and be reserved with everyone; on the contrary, a momin should be broad minded, well-mannered and laugh a little, but he should not laugh a lot and make fun of others and it is a sigh of a low and degraded person.

7. The blessings and rewards of talking about the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the Ahlul Bait (a.s.) in gatherings and also discussing their knowledge and relating traditions of their qualities:

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), those people who, in a gathering, do not speak about the Almighty God and ourselves i.e. the Imams (a.s.), will, on the Day of Judgement feel sorry about such a gathering.

Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) has stated that a talk about Imams (a.s.) is a talk about the Almighty God, and a talk about their (the Imams') enemies is talk about the shaitan.

Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that God has ordained a certaain number of angels to travel over the earth. Whenever the angels come across a group which is talking about the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Ahlul Bait (a.s.), then they stop and participate in that gathering and say "We have achieved our purpose." When this gathering disperses, then if any participant of the gathering is ill, they visit him; and if any of them dies, they are present near his body, and if any of them disappears, they search him.

In another tradition, the Imam (a.s.) has stated that there are a few angels in the heaven who constantly watch the small group (comprising of two and three)of Shias who are busy in relating about the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Ahlul Bait (a.s.). Then the angels say to each other, "Do you not see the courage of these people who, though few in number and among a large number of enemies, are relating the qualities of Ahlul bait (a.s.)". Another group of angels reply to them, "That is the grace of God. He bestowith it upon whomsoever He willeth; and God is the Lord of Mighty Grace."

A reliable tradition states that Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) enquired of Mubashshir whether his Shias assemble at any time and discuss among themselves about the qualities and knowledge of the Imams (a.s.). At that, Mubashshir replied, "Yes, by God." Then Imam (a.s.) answered that by the Almighty God, he liked that he should participate in such gatherings and smell their good perfume, as they all were on the faith of God and the angels of God. He further beckoned Mubashshir to keep away from the prohibited things and take pains with prayers that he may help the Imam (a.s.) to intercede on his behalf and recommend him.

In another tradition it is stated that whereever there are two or three momineen gathered, the same number of angels come to them. If these momineen are asking something from God, the angels say "Ameen", and if these momineen are requesting to be guarded from some mischief, the angels pray to God to keep away the mischief; and if they are asking for a favour, the angels ask God to grant them the favour.

And if two or three dissenters who do not accept the rights of Ahlul bait (a.s.) are assembled, the same number of devils are present with them. The devils talk in the same manner these disenters are talking; when they laugh, the devils also laugh; and if they are insulting the friends of God, the devils follow their lead. In case a momin is snared among these devils, he should leave the gathering when they start insulting the friends of God, and thus not

become a member and companion of their assembly; for the anger of God cannot be beared by anyone and no one can nullify the curses of God. In case he is forced to be in that company, he should retaliate against the insults being hurled on the friends of God and should leave the company for a little while, every few minutes.

In another tradition it is stated that a person who treads the path of knowledge shall have the path of heaven broadened for him by the Almighty God. The angels lay their plumage (hair) happily for the student and all the creatures of earths and skies (heaven) pray for him; even the fishes of the sea pray. The greatness of a scholar over a person who offers more prayers is like the greatness of the moon of the fourteenth night over the stars.

In another tradition sorrow is expressed over that person who, even on a Friday, cannot forsake his worldly affairs to learn the religious knowledge.

Yet another tradition states that the Almighty God states, "A discussion about knowledge among my men enlivens their deed and hearts."

It is stated from a reliable tradition that whenever the muslims meet, they should discuss about knowledge and relate tradition, for traditions brighten the hearts which had gone to rust; for the hearts rust in the same manner as swords; and as the swords are brightened by polish, so are the hearts by the narration of traditions.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), the reward of speaking about knowledge is equal to the reward of already heard (accepted) prayers.

Etiquette of Walking, Riding, Going to the Market for Trade and Agricul Ture and Keeping Animals

1. Riding a horse, a mule, a donkey and their types:

It is stated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that keeping an animal for transportation is included in the good luck of a man.

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), one should keep an animal for transportation as it is a sign of his honour and it helps him in accomplishing many of his works. The Almighty God is responsible for its food.

In another tradition he (a.s.) asked Yunus ibne Yakub to keep a donkey which will carry his burden, and God will look after its food. The witness says he did as he was told, and as he kept an account of the whole year he realized that there was an increase in his income.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), an increase of fortune is related to the forehead of the horses until the Day of Judgement.

2. Regulation about saddling and harnessing:

One should understand that it is safe and preferable that the harness and saddle should not be made of silver or gold. It is sunnat that the saddle should not be of silk or of red colour. A woman is strictly prohibited to mount a saddle.

According to a reliable tradition, out of the many sigins of the world's end drawing near, will be the mounting of a woman on a horseback or saddle.

According to another reliable tradition, Ali ibne Ja'far asked Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) if one could mount a horse, the harness or saddle of which is made of silver. The Imam (a.s.) answered that if the metal is gilted then there is no harm but otherwise one should not mount that horse.

Many reliable traditions state that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said to Ameerul Momineen Hazrat Ali (a.s.) that he should never mount a saddle of red colour whether it is on a horse or a camel; for it is one of the things on which the shaitan mounts.

In another tradition, people asked Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) if they could use the skin of a tiger or a panther for the purpose of saddle. The Imam (a.s.) answered that they could, but they cannot use it for prayer.

According to Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.), there is a devil in the nose of a quadruped; therefore, while harnessing it one should say ‘Bismillah’.

A reliable tradition from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that when an animal gets out of hand while harnessing or is angry then one should pick its ears, otherwise even without picking the ears one should recite the following verse:

‘Seek they other than the religion of Allah? When unto Him submitteth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth willingly or unwillingly and unto Him they shall be returned.

3. Etiquette of mounting and prayers connected with it:

A reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) states that when a person is mounting on the animal he should say ‘Bismillah’, for an angel mounts behind him and as long as that person is on the animal, the angel

looks after him. If a person does not say ‘Bismillah’ while mounting, then a devil mounts behind him and asks him to sing; if he cannot sing, the devil fills the man's mind with false hopes, and as long as the man is mounted, he thinks about all the impossible things.

He further stated that while mounting, one should recite:

‘Take the name of Allah ride; strength and might are possessed only by Allah. Thanks are due to Allah Who has enlightened us about these things and if Allah had not shown us the path we would not have been enlightened. Pure and purified is that Lord Who has made these animals submit to us though these had no power to submit by themselves.

4. To earn legitimately (Halal) and trade:

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), if a person has no intention of getting money by permissibble means, but wants to acquire it, that he may not be dependent and he may be able to return his debts and may be kind to his relatives, then there is no goodness in him (i.e. if he does not believe in permissibility and non-permissibility then his actions are of no avail).

In another tradition he has stated that for himself one should take the help of the world but should not become a liability for other people.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), a person who burdens another man with his wife and children, is cursed.

A reliable tradition states that a person asked Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) if he could wish for worldly riches. The Imam (a.s.) asked him why he needed it. The man replied that he needed that money for the expenditure on children and for kind deeds, charity and sadqa, Haj and Umrah. The Imam (a.s.) answered that wishing for money for the above purposes is not for the sake of the world; but for salvation.

According to a reliable tradition, a Sunni scholar entered the presence of Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) when he was going out on a very hot day by taking the help of two of his slaves. As a taunt and criticism the scholar said to the Imam (a.s.) that as the Imam (a.s.) was the only learned man of Quraish, it was not advisable for him to go out on such a hot day for the sake of the world, for he may die and then what would be the result? The Imam (a.s.) replied that if death would have come at such a moment, it would have been opportune, for it would have come to him at the moment when he was busy in praying to the Almighty God and in a work which would have kept his wife and children from seeking help from people like him (the Sunni scholar). "One should fear that death", the Imam (a.s.) said, "which comes when one is sinning against God and is ashamed of his act of rebellion". Then the Sunni scholar replied that whatever the Imam (a.s.) had said was correct and though he wanted to give advice to the Imam (a.s.), he himself had taken a lesson from him.

In another tradition it is stated that Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) enquired about Umar ibne Muslim. The people replied that he had left trade. The Imam (a.s.) said thrice that it was the work of shaitan and whether he was not aware of what the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to say about trade and what the Almighty God Himself had declared about it at a certain place that there were a certain type of people who do not forget God while carrying on their trade and these people were a group of traders who used to trade, but

when it was time for prayers they used to get busy with prayers. These traders were much better than those people who were without trade and prayed at exact timings.

A reliable tradition states that people told the Imam (a.s.) that a certain person has said that he would retire from the world, offer his prayers, keep fasts and pray unto God and he would get his living from somewhere or other. The Imam (a.s.) declared that the man was of the type whose prayers were not heard.

It is stated that people enquired of the Imam (a.s.) about a certain person. A person in the gathering said that that particular man was facing a lot of anxieties. The Imam (a.s.) asked as to what work that man did. The person replied that now he had retired from the world and lived away by himself. When the Imam (a.s.) questioned as to what that man lived by, the person replied that the fellow-muslims looked after his welfare. At that the Imam (a.s.) said that the prayers and piety of the people who looked after the welfare of the man was better than the piety and prayers of that man.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), a person who seeks for worldly gains so that his children may not be destitutes and remain well looked after and is kind to one's neighbours, his face will be as bright as the moon of the fourteenth night, on the Day of Judgement.

5. Etiquette of trade:

It is stated that Hazrat Ali (a.s.) used to say from the mimber (pulpit) that a person should learn the regulations of trade before indulging in it, for the difference between profit and interest is fainter than the mark made by an ant's foot on a hard stone. One should not take false oaths, as, except those traders who trade rightly, all the others are wicked and their destination is hell.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), a person who indulges in trade should save himself from five things:

a) Taking interest

b) Uttering oaths

c) Hiding the defects of the merchandise

d) To praise something which is supposed to be sold to others

e) To criticise those things wrongly, which are being bought from others

According to another reliable tradition, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) used to go out early in the morning with a Durra hanging from his arm in the market of Kufa saying, "When you start transacting between each other, first you should pray to God for your welfare, make the transaction easier, and do everything with concentration that you may reap fully from it. Make acquaintance with the custUmars and treat them with politeness. Make patience and sobriety your standard and keep away from speaking lies and taking oaths. Do not be cruel to people and render justice with those victimised. Do not go near interest and measure correctly without any misappropriation."

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), if a person goes to the market in the mornings and afternoons and says:

‘O Allah I seek of You benefits for this bazar and those who through it.’

When he reaches the market, God will make an angel look after him and his merchandise until he returns home. That angel says, "Today you have saved yourself from the mischief of the market and those who frequent it and you have gained their goodwill." When he sits at his shop he should recite this prayer:

‘I stand witness that there is no God except One, Who has no partner and I also stand witness to Mohammed Mustafa (s.a.w.a.) being His creature and His Prophet. O Allah I beg You to give me permissible and purified daily bread with Your blessings; and seek shelter for myself doing any cruelty on anyone of anyone doing any cruelty with me and also seek refuge from trade which incurs losses and false oaths.’

When he will recite this prayer the angel will say,

"There will be a revelation unto you, and there is no end in the market today, whose share will be greater than yours. You have been in a hurry to collect good deeds and to ignore bad deeds, and now, within a little while the rightful and rewarding earning from God meant for you is arriving."

According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), whenever one buys something one should say ‘Allaho-Akbar’ thrice and then recite the following prayer:

‘O Allah, I have bought that thing, that I may gain some benefit from it through You. Thus ordain for me some reward in it. O Allah I have bought it with purpose that it may be the cause of Your further blessings, thus ordain for relevant blessings in this thing. O Allah I have bought it that through it You may give me my daily bread thus determine its course to increase my daily bread.’

It is stated in a reliable tradition that whatever merchandise Imam Reza (a.s.) used to buy, he used to write ‘Barktan Lana’ on it. (meaning, I pray for the market and the businessmen.) It can be presumed that he used to write with his finger.

A reliable tradition from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that whenever one wants to buy something, one should recite the following doa thrice:

‘O the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting; the Eternal, the Generous, the Merciful, I bind You and by Your dignity, Your might and all those things which are in Your knowledge and beg You to increase my prosperity and respect and make my end good through today's trade, as those things whose end is not good are never good.’

It is stated in Fiqhe Reza that when one packs something with care and wants to keep it safely, then one should recite Ayatul Kursi and the following doa:

‘We have set a wall before them and another behind them and have closed the gap from above. They can think of nothing. That thing cannot be lost whose protector is Allah. And if after this they do not see in the right direction, then say Allah is enough for me: Allah! there is no Allah but He! I rely on Him and He is the Lord of the Arshe-Azeem.’[7]

and keep it inside the package. This will keep that merchandise safe from all accidents.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the worst places in the market are those where the shaitan digs embiem every morning, sits on his chair and disperses his offsprings to tempt someone to measure less, to keep a

wrong scale, and make some rob from the measure and show the incorrect price of the merchandise and then the shaitan commands his offsprings saying, "Tempt the mankind whose father Adam is dead. I am your father and still alive and I had been insulted and degraded on account of their father." Therefore, the first person who enters the market, the shaitan enters with him and goes out of the market with the last person who leaves it. The best place according to God is the mosque and that person is the best who enters the mosque first and leaves it the last.

In another tradition it is stated that the people complained that the group against the Imam (a.s.) considered the profession of teaching as not permitted (i.e. haram). The Imam (a.s.) replied that those enemies of God are liars. They want the children of the people to remain in the dark about the Holy Quran and also they should not be able to recite it. If a parent keeps his child under the care of a scholar, then the scholar should accept it as a rightful means of earning but he should not bargain in the beginning and accept whatever has been offered to him happily.

According to a reliable tradition, when on sells a Quran, one should sell it with the intention of selling for the sake of paper and binding and not for the script.

According to another tradition, Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that a person who does not sleep the whole night thinking about ways of earning then that earning is not permissible (haram) for him. Many scholars have considered it as repulsive and non-permissible.