Al-Khallāl said:

“Harb ibn Ismāʿīl and Abū Dāwūd informed me. Abū Dāwūd said: ‘I heard Ahmad say: I heard Sufyān—meaning Ibn ʿUyaynah—say that when he was asked, “Are you a believer?” he would not answer the question, but would say, “Your asking me this is an innovation, and I do not doubt my faith.” He also said, “If one says, ‘if Allah wills,’ this is not objectionable, nor does doubt enter into it.”’”

Thus, it is reported from Ahmad that he said, “We do not doubt our faith,” and that the questioner does not doubt the faith of the person questioned. This is an even stronger statement. Yet he is certain only that he acknowledges and accepts as true what the Messenger brought; he is not certain that he is fulfilling his obligations. It is therefore clear that Ahmad and others among the early generations were certain, without doubt, of the faith present in the heart in this situation. They understood the qualification “if Allah wills” to refer to faith in its unqualified sense, which includes doing what is commanded.

They also argued that this qualification is permissible concerning matters about which one has no doubt. This is a “second rationale”: even though we do not doubt the faith within our hearts, the Sunnah has established the use of this qualification concerning things known to exist, because of the wisdom it contains.

Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Hārūn reported:

“I asked Abū ʿAbd Allāh about adding ‘if Allah wills’ when affirming one’s faith. He replied: ‘Yes, this qualification is used not out of doubt, but out of fear and caution concerning one’s deeds. Ibn Masʿūd and others used it, and this is the position of al-Thawrī. Allah Most High says:

“You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to his Companions:

“Indeed, I hope to be the most mindful of Allah among you.”

And he said concerning the deceased:

“And upon it you will be resurrected, if Allah wills.”’”

Ahmad thus explained that he adds this qualification out of fear and caution concerning his deeds: he fears that he may not have fully accomplished what he was commanded to do, so he takes the precaution of adding “if Allah wills.” He said, “Not out of doubt,” meaning, without