194. Da`ā'im al-Islām: “He [Ali] (a.s.) used to walk in the market places holding a whip in his hand with which he would punish the defrauders who used short measures and the cheaters in the trading with Muslims.
Asbagh said: “One day I told him: O Commander of the Faithful! You may stay home and I will do it for you.” He replied: “O Asbagh! You are not giving me good advice.”1
195. Tārikh Damashq – narrating from Abu Sa`id: `Ali (a.s.) used to come to the market and say “O Tradesmen! Be wary of God and avoid taking oath, for taking oath will ruin the deeds and bring the blessings to naught. Indeed, a tradesman is vicious unless he receives right (fully) and pays the right. Wassalām.”2
196. Rabi` al-Abrār: “Ali (a.s.) would pass by the salesmen in the market and say to them: “Do good. Sell goods to the Muslims at cheap prices, because this will increase prosperity.”3
197. Tārikh Dimashq – narrating from Zādān: “When he [Ali] (a.s.) was a ruler, he would walk around alone in the Markets. He would guide the lost ones, help out the poor and when he passed by the salesmen and the shopkeepers, he would open the Qur'ān and recite, “This is the abode of the Hereafter which We shall grant to those who do not desire to dominate in the earth nor to cause corruption.”4 He would then say: “This verse is revealed concerning the just and humble leaders and the people who possess power.”5
198. Makārim al-Akhlāq – narrating from Washika: “I saw Ali (a.s.) who was wearing a short garment and had pulled his robe up to the middle of his foreleg while holding a whip in his hand and walking around the market saying: ‘Be wary of God and observe the measure fully,’ as if he was a teacher for children.”6
1.. Da`ā'im al-Islām, vol. ۲, p. ۵۳۸, h. ۱۹۱۳.
2.. Tārikh Dimashq, vol. ۴۲, p. ۴۰۹, al-Musannif fi al-Ahādith wa al-Athār, vol. ۵, p. ۲۶۰, h. ۴, al-Ghārāt, vol. ۱, p. ۱۱۰.
3.. Rabi` al-Abrār, vol. ۴, p. ۱۵۴.
4.. Qur'ān: ۲۸: ۸۳.
5.. Tārikh Dimashq, vol. ۴۲. p. ۴۸۹, al-Bidāya wa al-Nihāya, vol. ۸, p. ۵, Manāqib Ali ibn Abi Tālib, vol. ۲, p. ۱۰۴.
6.. Makārim al-Akhlāq, vol. ۱, p. ۲۴۷, h. ۷۳۲.