Al-Kāfi 2, narration 10

Translation

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Ali al-Halabi from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent water on the clay. He then took a handful and kneaded it and then divided it in two parts with His hands then scattered them and they began to move. He then started a fire for them and commanded the people of the left hand to enter therein. They went near but were afraid of it and they did not enter therein. He then commanded the people of the right hand to enter in the fire. They went and entered into it and Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, commanded the fire to become cool and peaceful for them. When the people of the left hand observed it they said, ‘Our Lord, forgive us.’ He forgave them and said to them, ‘Enter into the fire.’ They went but did not enter therein. He then changed them to clay and He created Adam therefrom. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) then said, ‘Those will never be able to become these and they will never be able to become of those.’ He (a.s.) then said, ‘They saw the Messenger of Allah (a.s.) to be the first to enter that fire. For this reason is the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘(Muhammad), Say, “Had the Beneficent had a son then I would have been the first to worship.”’” (43: 81)

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.