فَقَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ: وَكَيْفَ عَنَى الْعِتْرَةَ مِنْ دُونِ الأُمَّةِ؟ Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) told him, “If God referred to the nation, then they should all be in Paradise while the Honorable the Exalted God goes on and says, ‘ ...but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by God's leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace.’ ^2 Then God informs that all of them will be in Paradise.
The Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.’ ^3 Thus, the verse refers to the immaculate progeny of the Prophet (S) exclusively.
Al-Ma’mun asked, “Who are the immaculate progeny?” Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “The immaculate progeny are those whom the Honorable the Exalted God describes in His Book by saying, ‘ …And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.’ [^4] They are those about whom the Prophet (S) said the following, “I am leaving among you two weighty things - the Book of God and my progeny; my family.
They will not separate from each other until they join me at the Divine Pool (Kawthar). Consider how will you regard me in treating them. O people! Do not teach them, because they are more knowledgeable than you are.” Then the scholars said, “O Abul Hassan!