, contrary to the Qadariyyah. They also said that He loves and wills all these things. Then they began distorting words from their proper meanings, saying that “He does not love corruption” means that He does not will corruption—that is, He does not will it for the believers—and that “He does not approve of disbelief for His servants” means that He does not will it—that is, He does not will it for the believers.

This is a grave error, for their reasoning would equally allow one to say, “He does not love faith” and “He does not approve of faith for His servants,” meaning that He does not will it for the disbelievers or approve of it for them.

The people of Islam agree that whatever Allah commands is pleasing to Him and loved by Him. It may also be obligatory, or it may be recommended without being obligatory, whether or not it is actually done. This matter is discussed at length elsewhere.

The second group consisted of those among the Sufis who fell into error. They drank from this same spring: they perceived that Allah is the Lord of all things in existence and knew that He had decreed every