514 — Al-Firyābī informed us, saying: Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Jabbār al-Himsī ⦗919⦘ narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Himyar narrated to us, from Muhammad ibn Muhājir, from his brother Amr ibn Muhājir, who said:

Umar ibn Abd al-Azīz learned that Ghaylān was speaking concerning divine predestination, so he summoned him but denied him admission for several days. He then brought him before him and said, “Ghaylān, what is this that I have heard about you?” Amr ibn Muhājir said, “I gestured to him not to say anything.” He said: But Ghaylān replied, “Yes, Commander of the Faithful. Allah Most High says:

“Has there not come upon man a period of time when he was not something worth mentioning? Indeed, We created man from a drop of mixed fluids to test him, and so We made him hearing and seeing. Indeed, We guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.” [al-Insān: 2]

He said, “Recite the end of the surah:

“But you do not will unless Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. He admits whomever He wills into His mercy, and for the wrongdoers He has prepared a painful ⦗920⦘ punishment.”

He then asked, “What do you say now, Ghaylān?” He replied, “I say that I was blind and you gave me sight; deaf and you made me hear; and astray and you guided me.” Umar then said, “O Allah, if Your servant Ghaylān is truthful—but if not, let him be crucified.”

Ghaylān thereafter refrained from speaking concerning divine predestination, and Umar ibn Abd al-Azīz placed him in charge of the mint in Damascus. When Umar ibn Abd al-Azīz died and the caliphate passed to Hishām, Ghaylān resumed speaking concerning divine predestination. Hishām therefore sent for him and had his hand cut off. A man passed by him while flies were clustering around his hand and said, “Ghaylān, this is divine decree and predestination.” Ghaylān replied, “You lie! By Allah, this is neither divine decree nor predestination.” Hishām then sent for him and had him crucified.