Liability of Carrier Animals and Owners of Ships

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who hired a camel man to transport oil to another location and he thought that certain skin sacks were damaged and oil was lost. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he likes he can accept the oil.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Even if it is damaged he is not considered truthful without just witnesses and evidence.’”

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who transported people on the water to the other side and I carried foodstuff through him then received it from him and it was reduced. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is trusted, you must not hold him liable.’”

“In the case of a man who carries foodstuff in the ship and it is reduced, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He is liable.’ I then asked, ‘What if it is increased?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Do you know it is increased?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not know.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is for you.’”

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who hired a ship from a sailor and loaded it with foodstuff, with the condition that if it was reduced he was liable. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.’ I then said, ‘Perhaps it increases.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Does the sailor claim that he has increased anything to it?’ I replied, ‘No, he does not claim.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It belongs to the owner of the foodstuff and he is liable for reduction if it is stipulated.’”

“My father carried goods to al-Sham with a camel man, then he remembered that one load was lost. I mentioned it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he asked, ‘Do you charge him?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not charge him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not hold him liable.’”

“About the case of a camel man who breaks what he carries or spills, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If he is trusted, there is nothing on him; but if he is not trusted then he is liable.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘One hired and a partner are liable unless it (the loss) is because of beasts, drowning, burning or a stubborn thief.’”