People of al- A’raf

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr and Ali ibn Ibrahim from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from a man all from Zurara who has said the following: “Once, abu Ja’far (a.s.) asked me, ‘What do you say about the people of al-‘A’raf?’ I said, ‘They are either believing people or unbelievers. If they will enter paradise they will be believing people, and if they go in fire they will be unbelievers.’ The Imam then said, ‘By Allah, they are not believing people nor are they unbelievers. Had they been of the believers they would have entered paradise like the believers. Were they unbelievers they would have gone in fire like the unbelievers. They, however, are a people whose good and bad deeds are equal. Their deeds fall short and they are as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said they are.’ I asked, ‘Are they among the people of paradise or of the people of fire?’ The Imam said, ‘Leave them as Allah has done.’ I said, ‘Do you leave them in postponement?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, just as Allah has done. If He will wish. He will send them in paradise through His favor, and if He will wish He will drive them to fire for their sins; He will not be doing injustice to them.’ I asked, ‘Will unbelievers enter paradise?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Will anyone besides unbelievers go to fire?’ The Imam said, ‘No, unless Allah will wish. O Zurara, I say, ‘As Allah wills and you do not say, ‘As Allah wills.’ When you will grow up you will turn back and your knots ease up (on your opponent).”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

174. Abu Ali Al-Ashary, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbaar, from Al-Hassan Bin Ali, from Yunus Bin Yaqoub, from Suleyman Bin Khalid, from a worker of Muhammad Bin Rashid who said: I was present at the evening meal of Ja’far Bin Muhammad (asws) during the summer. A tray of bread was brought to him (asws), and a bowl of porridge and boiling meat. So he (asws) extended his hand towards it and found it to be hot. Then he (asws) raised his (asws) hand and said: ‘We (asws) seek Refuge with Allah (azwj) from the Fire, we (asws) seek Refuge with Allah (azwj) from the Fire. We are not strong enough (to bear) this, so how can we (bear) the Fire (of Hell)?’ And he (asws) went on repeating these words until it was possible to (touch) the bowl. So he (asws) placed his (asws) in it (the hot food in front of him (asws)), and we placed our hands in it (our portion) when it was possible. So he (asws) ate, and we ate with him (asws). Then the (food) from the food-mat was taken away. So he (asws) said: ‘O young boy, bring us something’. So he came with the dates on a platter. I extended my hand, and there were dates, so I said, ‘May Allah (azwj) Keep you (asws) well, this is the time (season) for the grapes and the apples’. He (asws) said: ‘these are the dates’. Then he (asws) said: ‘Take this away and bring us something’. So he came up with dates (another variety of dates). I extended my hand and said, ‘These are dates’. He (asws) said: ‘It is good’.

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Hassan from Musa ibn Bakr from a man who has said the following: “Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘Those who have mixed good deeds with bad deeds’ are a believing people. They create in their belief such things, due to sins, that believing people censure and dislike. They are as such that perhaps Allah may accept their repentance.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.