The children of Ādam were created in various factions:

1. Some were born as believers, lived as believers, and shall die as believers.

2. Some were born as non-believers, lived as non-believers, and shall die as non-believers.

3. Conversely, some were born as believers and lived a life of faith, yet departed from this world in a state of disbelief.

4. And some were born as non-believers and lived as such, yet shall die as believers.^[1]

A Righteous Man Died Without Faith

Imām Abū Muhammad رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه narrates:

Three ascetics set out towards the House of Allah (the Holy KaꜤba) with the intention of performing Hajj. On the way, they stayed in a village of non-believers. One of the three caught sight of a beautiful woman and his heart inclined towards her. When the three prepared to resume their journey, he made excuses to them and remained behind. His two companions departed, leaving him in the village.

He then expressed his intention to the woman’s father. The girl’s father, a non-believer, said: “The bridal gift (mahr) of my daughter is very heavy for you; you do not possess the capacity to provide it.” The ascetic asked, “What is the mahr?” The father replied, “That you become a non-believer.”

Alas! That foolish man, blinded by his infatuation for this woman and compelled by base desires, abandoned his religion and became a non-believer. He then married the girl, but shortly after, he met his death in that state of faithlessness. When his two companions returned from their journey and enquired about him, they were informed that he had