Question:

Is it true that the Imam (a.) punished some idolaters with fire?

Answer:

Al-Fudail Ibn Yasar reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Two men of the Muslims were in Kufa when one person came to the commander of the believers (a.) and testified that he saw them both worshiping an idol.” He said to him: “Woe to you, possibly a few that seemed similar to you.” Then he sent someone to look after them and they worshiped an idol. Then they both were brought to him and he said to them: “Repent! But they refused. Then he dug them a hole in the ground and lit a fire in it, into which he threw them both.” [At-Tahdhib by At-Tusi, vol. 10 page 140 Hadith 522]

عن محمد بن الحسن بإسناده عن الحسين بن سعيد عن النضر عن موسى بن بكر عن الفضيل بن يسار عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: إن رجلين من المسلمين كانا بالكوفة فاتى رجل أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام فشهد انه رآهما يصليان لصنم فقال له: ويحك لعله بعض من تشبه عليك فأرسل رجلا فنظر إليهما وهما يصليان لصنم فاتي بهما فقال لهما: ارجعا فأبيا فخد لهما في الأرض خدا فأجج نارا فطرحهما فيه

Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi writes: “Both weak (Da’if) and trustworthy (Muwaththaq).” [Miladh-ul-Akhyar, Volume 16 Page 277]

قال محمد باقر المجلسي: ضعيف كالموثق

Al-Fudail Ibn Yasar reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Two Muslim men were in Kufa when someone stepped before Ali (a.) and testified that he discovered them both in the worship of an idol. Ali (a.) said: “Woe to you, possibly a few that seemed similar to you.” Then he sent a person to look for them while they worshiped an idol. Then they both were brought to him and he said to them: ” Repent! But they refused. Then he dug furrows in the ground and started a fire in it, into which he threw them both.” [Al-Faqih of As-Saduq, volume 3 page 94 Hadith 3551]

عن محمد بن علي عن موسى بن بكر عن الفضيل بن يسار عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: إن رجلين بالكوفة من المسلمين أتى رجل أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام فشهد أنه رآهما يصليان لصنم فقال علي عليه السلام: ويحك لعله بعض من يشتبه عليك أمره فأرسل رجلا فنظر إليهما وهما يصليان لصنم فاتي بهما، قال فقال لهما ارجعا فأبيا فخد لهما في الأرض أخدودا وأجج فيه نارا فطرحهما فيه

Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi writes: “It is a proof (Dalil) that the execution by fire is legitimate if the Imam (a.) sees a benefit in it.” [Miladh-ul-Akhyar, vol. 16 page 278]

قال محمد باقر المجلسي: ويدل على جواز القتل بالنار إن رأى الإمام فيه المصلحة