may act whenever he wills and refrain whenever he wills; may eat whenever he wills and abstain whenever he wills; may drink whenever he wills and abstain whenever he wills.’

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