515 — Al-Firyābī also informed us, saying: Ubayd Allah ibn Muādh narrated to us, saying: My father narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Amr al-Laythī narrated to us that al-Zuhrī narrated to him, saying:

Umar ibn Abd al-Azīz—may Allah have mercy on him—summoned Ghaylān and said, “Ghaylān, I have been informed that you speak concerning divine predestination.” He replied, “Commander of the Faithful, they are lying about me.” Umar said, “Ghaylān, recite the beginning of Yā Sīn.” He recited ⦗921⦘:

“Yā Sīn. By the Quran, rich in wisdom.” [Yā Sīn: 2]

He continued until he reached:

“Indeed, We have placed shackles around their necks, reaching up to their chins, so their heads are forced upward. And We have placed a barrier before them and a barrier behind them and covered them, so they cannot see. It is all the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.” [Yā Sīn: 8]

Ghaylān said, “By Allah, Commander of the Faithful, it is as though I had never read these verses before today. I call you to witness, Commander of the Faithful, that I repent of what I used to say.” Umar then said, “O Allah, if he is truthful, make him steadfast; but if he is lying, make him a sign for the believers.”