—is the independent author of his actions, intention, and choice: whatever he wills comes to pass, and whatever he does not will never occurs. Such is the doctrine of the Qadariyyah among the Muʿtazilah and others. The Jabariyyah, on the other hand, assert that the servant has no will at all; will belongs exclusively to Allah, while the servant moves without choice or intention, like a mechanical device. Thus one group went to extremes in affirming Allah’s will, and another went to extremes in affirming the servant’s will.

Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaʿah affirm both wills, yet they maintain that the servant’s will is tethered to the will of Allah, as indicated by the two verses cited earlier. His words, “and you do not will,” prove the existence of the servant’s will, while His words, “except that Allah wills,” prove the existence of Allah’s will. The verse further clarifies that the servant’s will is not independent but linked to Allah’s will, for the servant is one of Allah’s creations—He created him, his will, and his intention. Accordingly, when someone once said to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), “Whatever Allah wills and you will,” he replied, “Have you made me a rival to Allah? Rather say: ‘Whatever Allah alone wills.’” (1) And when news reached the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that