Undesirability of eating hot food

174. Abu Ali Al-Ashary, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbaar, from Al-Hassan Bin Ali, from Yunus Bin Yaqoub, from Suleyman Bin Khalid, from a worker of Muhammad Bin Rashid who said: I was present at the evening meal of Ja’far Bin Muhammad عليه الصلاة والسلام during the summer. A tray of bread was brought to him عليه الصلاة والسلام, and a bowl of porridge and boiling meat. So he عليه الصلاة والسلام extended his hand towards it and found it to be hot. Then he عليه الصلاة والسلام raised his عليه الصلاة والسلام hand and said: ‘We عليه الصلاة والسلام seek Refuge with Allah عز وجل from the Fire, we عليه الصلاة والسلام seek Refuge with Allah عز وجل from the Fire. We are not strong enough (to bear) this, so how can we (bear) the Fire (of Hell)?’ And he عليه الصلاة والسلام went on repeating these words until it was possible to (touch) the bowl. So he عليه الصلاة والسلام placed his عليه الصلاة والسلام in it (the hot food in front of him عليه الصلاة والسلام), and we placed our hands in it (our portion) when it was possible. So he عليه الصلاة والسلام ate, and we ate with him عليه الصلاة والسلام. Then the (food) from the food-mat was taken away. So he عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘O young boy, bring us something’. So he came with the dates on a platter. I extended my hand, and there were dates, so I said, ‘May Allah عز وجل Keep you عليه الصلاة والسلام well, this is the time (season) for the grapes and the apples’. He عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘these are the dates’. Then he عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘Take this away and bring us something’. So he came up with dates (another variety of dates). I extended my hand and said, ‘These are dates’. He عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘It is good’.