280 — Ibn Makhlad narrated to us, saying: Abū Dāwūd narrated to us, saying: I heard Ahmad say: I heard Sufyān say, “If someone is asked, ‘Are you a believer?’ he may, if he wishes, decline to answer, or say to him, ‘Your asking me is an innovation, and I do not doubt my faith.’ He also said, ‘As for saying, “If Allah wills,” it is not objectionable and does not constitute doubt.’”