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Direct Inspection of the Bazaars
191. Imām al-Bāqir (a.s.): “The Commander of the Faithful was among you in Kufa and every morning he would leave the statehouse and walk through the markets of Kufa one by one while carrying a double headed whip called a ‘sabiba’ on his shoulder. He would stop before people of every market and call out: “O Tradesmen! Be wary of God Almighty!”
When the marketers heard his call, they would give up what they were doing and attentively listen to him.
Then he would say: “Seek what is best, look for blessing by being lenient, be close to the customers, adorn yourself with tolerance refrain from swearing, avoid telling lies, beware of doing injustice and assist the oppressed in returning his right. Do not seek nearness to usury and observe fully the measure and the balance. Do not cheat the people of their goods and do not act wickedly on the earth, causing corruption.”
He would walk around all the bazaars of Kufa, then he
would return and sit for [seeing into the affairs of] the people.”1
1.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۵, p. ۱۵۱, h. ۳, Tahdhib al-Ahkām, vol. ۷, p. ۶, h. ۱۷, al-Amāli, Mufid, p. ۱۹۷, h. ۳۱.
