People of al- A’raf

“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).”’