“I once asked abu Ja’far. ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about al-Ratbah (a grass, cattle feed) which is sold in the form of one, two or three crops. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it.’ I asked many such questions and every time he (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it. 5 I then said, ‘May Allah keep you well’ - because of feeling shy due to my numerous questions and his words, ‘There is no offense in it’- those nearby may spoil for us all of this. He (the Imam) said, ‘I think they have heard the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah about palm trees.’ At this time someone caused an interruption and I remained quiet. I then asked Muhammad ibn Muslim to ask abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the words of the Messenger of Allah in regard to palm trees. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once came out and heard a great deal of noise. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked about it. It was said to him, “People buy fruits of the coming year of palm trees in exchange for dates.” The Messenger of Allah said, “If they do so they must buy the fruits of the coming year when something of such fruits appears, and they must not make it unlawful.’””