is able to act if he so wills and to refrain if he so wills; if he wills, he eats, and if he wills, he does not eat; if he wills, he drinks, and if he wills, he does not drink.

Then say to him: “Did Allah decree that the Children of Israel should cross the sea, and did He decree drowning for Pharaoh? If he answers, ‘Yes,’ ask him: ‘Is it then possible for Pharaoh not to set out in pursuit of Moses, and for him and his followers not to drown?’ If he replies, ‘Yes,’ he has fallen into disbelief; but if he says, ‘No,’ he has contradicted his previous statement.”