Al-Kāfi 2, narration 8

Translation

1. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Zurara from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Had people known how the beginning of the creation was, no one would have disagreed with another person. Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, before creating the creatures said, ‘Be a sweet water so I create from you My paradise and people who obey My commands. Be very salty water; from you I create My fire and those who disobey Me.’ He then commanded them to mix and from this the believers give birth to unbelievers and the unbelievers give birth to the believers. Then He took a clay from the surface of the earth and kneaded it very strongly whereby they (children of Adam) appeared as particles crawling about. He then said to the people of the right hand, ‘To paradise (you go) in peace.’ To the people of the left hand He said, ‘To the fire (you go) and I am not concerned.’ He then commanded a fire that began to blaze and He said to the people of the left hand, ‘Enter therein.’ They then were frightened thereby. He then said to the people of the right hand, ‘Enter the fire.’ They then entered therein and He said, ‘O fire be cool and peaceful.’ The fire became cool and peaceful. The people of the left hand then said, ‘O Lord forgive us and reduce our burden.’ The Lord said, ‘I have reduced it for you. Enter.’ They went but were afraid of it. It was there that obedience and disobedience came to take place. Thus, these will not be able to become of those and they will not be able to become of these.’”

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