beliefs and volitions that are sound, and at other times ones that are unsound. His beliefs may correspond to their objects, in which case they are true, or may not correspond to them, in which case they are false. A statement reflecting the former is true, while one reflecting the latter is false.

Volitions likewise fall into those that serve a person’s interests by bringing him benefit, and those that do not serve his interests but instead harm him. For a human being is sentient and moves by volition. Hence the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The truest names are al-Hārith and Hammām; those most beloved to Allah are ‘Abd Allah and ‘Abd al-Rahmān; and the ugliest are Harb and Murrah.”

A person inevitably engages in toil—that is, work and voluntary movement—and inevitably forms intentions: some things he intends and does, while others he intends but does not do. If the intended object serves his interests, the volition is good and praiseworthy. If it runs counter to his interests, the volition is evil and blameworthy, as when someone desires what harms his mind, soul, and body.

Since a person’s judgments and volitions are sometimes good and praiseworthy and sometimes evil, there are only two possibilities: either his soul’s relation to the two kinds is