542 — Al-Firyābī also informed us, saying: Abū Anas Mālik ibn Sulaymān al-Alhānī al-Himsī narrated to us, saying: Baqiyya ibn al-Walīd narrated to us, from Artāh ibn al-Mundhir, from Mujāhid ibn Jabr, who reported that it had reached him from Ibn Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both—that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Indeed, the first thing Allah created ⦗948⦘ was the Pen. He took it in His right hand—and both His hands are right hands.” He continued: “He then wrote down all that would occur in this world and every deed that would be performed therein, whether righteous or wicked, wet or dry, and kept a full account of it in the Record with Him.”

Then the Messenger of Allah said: “Recite, if you wish: ‘This is Our Record, which speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We had everything you did transcribed.’ [al-Jāthiya: 29] Can a copy be made from anything other than a matter already concluded?”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah have mercy on him—said: This, then, is the way of the people of knowledge: to believe in divine decree, both its good and its evil, all of which comes from Allah according to a decree that has already gone forth. He leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. “He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.” [al-Anbiyā: 23]

As for the evidence for refraining from sitting with the Qadariyya: they should not be engaged in conversation or debate except when necessary to establish the proof against them and confound them, or when someone among them seeks guidance and genuinely wishes to be guided. Such a person should be guided, shown the path of truth, and warned against the path of falsehood. There is no harm in offering clarification under such circumstances ⦗949⦘. I shall mention concerning this what demonstrates what I have said, if Allah wills. Allah is the One who grants success in every right course.