ignorance.” They think they possess rational truths, whereas all they possess is ignorance:

“Like a mirage on a level plain which a thirsty person mistakes for water, until, when he reaches it, he finds nothing there, but finds Allah before him, who pays him his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning.”

This is compound ignorance. Since they were in doubt and bewilderment, they are amid layers of darkness, one above another: when one stretches out his hand, he can scarcely see it. Whoever Allah does not grant light has no light. How far these people are from the light of the Quran and faith!

Allah Most High says:

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light is that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is within glass, and the glass is like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even without being touched by fire. Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whom He wills. Allah sets forth parables for people, and Allah knows all things.”

If it is said:

“It is clear that speech and action fall under ‘attributes exercised by choice,’ since they occur by the Lord’s will and power. But whether ‘will,’ ‘love,’ ‘pleasure,’ and ‘anger’ do so requires consideration. For ‘will’ is itself volition. When He, glorified is He, creates someone He loves, such as His intimate friend, He loves him; He loves the believers, and they love Him. Likewise, when people perform deeds, He sees those deeds. This necessarily follows and cannot be otherwise. How, then, can it be subject to choice?”

The reply is:

Whatever comes to be after not having been does so only by Allah’s will and power. Whatever He, glorified is He, wills comes to be, and whatever He does not will does not come to be. Thus, whatever He wills must come to be, and it is subject to the Lord’s will and power. Whatever He does not will cannot come to be, although He has power over it, as He Most High says: