547 — Abū Bakr ibn Abī Dāwūd narrated to us, saying: Ayyūb, a shaykh of ours, narrated to us, saying: Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAmr al-Bajalī narrated to us, saying: ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Hārūn ibn ʿAntarah narrated to us, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: A man came to ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah honor his face—and said, “Tell me about the divine decree.” He replied, “It is a dark path, so do not follow it.” The man said, “Tell me about the divine decree.” He replied, “It is a deep sea, so do not venture into it.” The man said, “Tell me about the divine decree.” He replied, “It is Allah’s secret, so do not burden yourself by delving into it.”

The man then went away, but had not gone far before he returned and asked ʿAlī, “Is it by the first will that I stand and sit, clench and open my hand?” ʿAlī—may Allah be pleased with him—said to him, “I shall ask you about three matters, and Allah will leave neither you nor anyone who speaks of the will any way out. Tell me: did Allah create you when He willed or when you willed?” He replied, “Rather, when He willed.” He said, “Tell me: will you come on the Day of Resurrection as He wills or as you will?” He replied, “No; rather, as He wills.” He said, “Tell me: did Allah create you as He willed or as you willed?” He replied, “No; rather, as He willed.” He said, “Then nothing of the will is yours.”