the intended meaning is predetermination. Moreover, this reason cannot justify prohibiting such reviling.

Furthermore, his words, “When any of you fights, let him avoid the face, for Allah created Adam in His image,” preclude interpreting this as predetermination. Predetermination is specific neither to the face nor to Adam, and cannot serve as the reason for prohibiting blows to the face. Were it given as the reason, this would require that nothing whatsoever be struck.

Moreover, his words, “He created Adam in His image; he was sixty cubits tall,” through to his words, “Everyone who enters Paradise will enter it in Adam’s form,” explicitly show that he meant Adam’s created form, not his predetermined form.

Furthermore, calling what has been decreed a “form” has no basis in the speech of Allah or that of His Messenger. Such language does not state that the forms of things are established in Allah’s knowledge or decree. Although some people in later times say, “So-and-so has a grand image in so-and-so’s eyes,” or, “This matter is pictured in my mind,” the words of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, may not be interpreted according to such usage unless it belongs to the language in which he addressed his community.