Once Imam Sadiq (as) was asked about the meaning of...

Once Imam Sadiq (as) was asked about the meaning of: “…We created him before, when he was nothing”, and he answered: “It means that neither in the stage of predestination nor in the stage of creation he was anything.” Then he (as) was asked about the meaning of /lamyakun šay’an maŏkura/ (when he was a thing not worth mentioning),[^1] and Imam (as) said: “That is, it was predestinated, but there was not any name of it in the course.” [^2] Thus, these two verses speak about a couple of stages before the creation of man.

“So by your Lord, We shall surely muster them, and the Satans (with them), then We shall cause them to be present round Hell on their knees.” 69. “Then shall We pick out from every group whichever of them was more intensely rebellious against the Beneficent (Allah).” 70.

“Again We do know best those who deserve most to be burnt therein.” In the first holy verse, the Qur’an, with a very sharp tone, threatens the deniers of Resurrection and faithless sinners, when it says: “So by your Lord, We shall surely muster them, and the Satans (with them)…” In many occurrences of the Qur’an, Allah has sworn to His creatures, but, for the Resurrection, He has sworn to His Holy Essence.

Then, in this very verse the Qur’an continues saying: “…then We shall cause them to be present round Hell on their knees.” This verse denotes that the court of faithless persons and that of the sinners are nigh to Hell. The Arabic term /jiiyya/ (regarding the fact that /jiiyy/ is the plural form of /jai/ which means a person who has sat on his knees) may refer to their weakness, disability, disgrace, and despicableness. As if they have not ability to stand on their feet.

This term, of course, has some other meanings, too. Among them is that some commentators have rendered the term /jiiyy/ into people ‘in crowds’, and some others have meant it into ‘masses’, and to be ‘heaped up’, like some soil and stones. But the first meaning is more fitting and more famous.