سورة الواقعة

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِینَ [A numerous company from among the first] — they are that first group who were with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِینَ وَ ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْآخِرِینَ [A numerous company from among the first, and a numerous company from among the last], both groups are from this ummah.

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): The people of Paradise are one hundred and twenty rows, of which eighty rows are from this ummah.

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): Abu Sa'id al-Mada'ini said: I asked Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) about the verse: ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِینَ وَ ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْآخِرِینَ [A numerous company from among the first, and a numerous company from among the last]. The Imam (peace be upon him) said: "ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِینَ [A numerous company from among the first] is Hizqil, the believer of the family of Pharaoh. And ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْآخِرِینَ [a numerous company from among the last] is Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him)."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family): It is narrated from Ibn Mas'ud who said: "One night we spoke together in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) until our conversation grew long. Then we returned to our homes. When morning came, we went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family). He said: 'Tonight the prophets, together with the followers from their communities, were presented to me. There was a prophet with whom came a group of his community, and a prophet with whom came a small group of his community, and a prophet with whom came a single person of his community, and a prophet with whom came a single man of his community, and a prophet with whom there was not even one person from his community — until my brother Musa (peace be upon him) came in the midst of a densely gathered company from the Bani Isra'il. When I saw them, they filled me with wonder, and I said: "My Lord! Who are these?" He said: "Your brother Musa ibn Imran (peace be upon him) and those of Bani Isra'il who are with him." I said: "My Lord! Then where is my community?" He said: "Look to your right." Suddenly [I saw that] the mountains of Makkah were covered [and filled] with the faces of men.' I said: 'Who are these?' It was said: 'These are your community. Are you pleased?' I said: 'My Lord! I am pleased.' Then it was said: 'Along with these, seventy thousand from your community will enter Paradise without reckoning.' Then Ukkasha ibn Mihsan al-Asadi, of Bani Asad ibn Khuzayma, recited a verse and said: 'O Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)! Call upon your Lord to make me one of them.' So the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'O Allah! Make him one of them.' Then another man recited a verse and said: 'O Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)! Call upon your Lord to make me one of them too.' The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'Ukkasha has preceded you in that.' Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! If you are able to be among the seventy [thousand], [be so]; and if you fall short and cannot, then be among the people of the mountains [of Makkah]; I saw many people there mingled together in great numbers, and I said: "This group is seventy thousand."' Then we agreed that they were people who were born into Islam and continued to act by it until they departed the world upon the religion of Islam. Their discussion reached the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and he said: 'It is not so [as you supposed]; rather they are those who do not commit excess, do not act arrogantly, do not transgress, and rely upon their Lord.' Then he said: 'I indeed hope that my followers will be one-quarter of the people of Paradise.' So we said: 'Allahu Akbar.' Then he said: 'I indeed hope that they will be one-third of the people of Paradise.' So we said: 'Allahu Akbar.' Then he said: 'I indeed hope that they will be half of the people of Paradise.' Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) recited: ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِینَ وَ ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْآخِرِینَ [A numerous company from among the first, and a numerous company from among the last]."