Al-Rabī‘ ibn Anas reported from Abū al-‘Āliyah concerning His words:

“As He originated you, so you will return.”

He said: “They returned to what He knew would be their state: a group He guided, while another group deserved to go astray.”)

I say:

What these statements affirm concerning Allah’s foreknowledge and prior decree, and that created beings will ultimately reach that decreed outcome, is undoubtedly true, as established by the Book, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations of the Muslim community. Whether this is the interpretation of the verse, however, is a separate question, which this is not the place to address.

The expression “Allah originated creation” refers to their initial formation, which is the apparent meaning of the Quran. It may also refer to the initial causes and signs of their creation, as when someone asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“What marked your beginning?”

He replied: “The supplication of my father Abraham, the glad tidings given by Jesus, and my mother’s vision: when she gave birth to me, she saw what appeared to be a light issuing from her, illuminating the palaces of Syria.”

He said:

“Others have said that the meaning of his statement, ‘Every newborn is born upon the innate disposition,’ is that Allah created them with dispositions toward denial and recognition, and toward disbelief and faith. He therefore took the covenant from Adam’s descendants when He created them, saying, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They all said: