Al-Kāfi 2, narration 21

Translation

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Udhayna from Zurara from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “I asked him (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘They are humble before Allah and they do not consider anything as partners of Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘Humbleness comes from the nature with which Allah has created all people and there is no change in the creation of Allah.’ The Imam also said, ‘He created them with the ability to know Him.’ Zurara has said, ‘I then asked him about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious: “(Consider), when your Lord took from the backs of the children of Adam all of their offspring. He asked them to bear a testimony. (Testimony to the fact that) when He asked them all, ‘Am 1 not your Lord?’ They all said, ‘Yes, You are our Lord.’” (7:172) The Imam said, “This happened when Allah took all descendents of Adam - who were to be born to the Day of Judgment - out from his back. They all came out in the form of small particles. He then introduced and showed Himself to them. Had this not happened no one could know his Lord.” The Imam said, “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Every newborn is born with the nature (to believe in Allah). ’ It means (He created them) with knowledge that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, is his/her Creator and so is His words, ‘When you ask them, “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will certainly say, ‘Allah has created them.””” (31:25) Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Faddal from abu Jamila from Muhammad al-Halabi from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘. . . the creation of Allah (had a certain) nature with which He created all people. . . .’ (30:30), the Imam said, ‘He has created them with belief in Oneness of Allah in their nature.’”

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