their consent, as when it is said that a father compels a woman to marry. Allah Most High is far too exalted and great to compel in this sense, for He creates in the servant willingness and choice concerning what he does. In this respect, that is not compulsion.

“Compulsion” may also mean creating the beliefs and intentions within souls, as in the statement of Muhammad ibn Kaʿb al-Qurazī: “Al-Jabbār (the Compeller) is He who compels His servants to what He wills.” Likewise, in the supplication transmitted from ʿAlī, may Allah be pleased with him:

“Compeller of hearts according to their innate dispositions, whether wretched or blessed.”

Compulsion in this sense is affirmed. Since the term “compulsion” admits of more than one meaning, the eminent imams prohibited affirming or denying it without qualification.

Likewise, the term “provision” admits of more than one meaning. It may refer to what Allah has made lawful or granted someone ownership of. Unlawful things are therefore not included in provision in this sense, as in His words, Most High:

“And they spend out of what We have provided for them.”

And His words, Most High:

“And spend out of what We have provided for you before death comes to one of you.”

And His words:

“And one whom We have provided with good provision from Us, from which he spends secretly and openly.”

There are other similar passages. “Provision” may also refer to whatever a living creature benefits from, even where neither lawful permission nor ownership has been granted. In this sense, it includes unlawful things, as in His words, Most High:

“There is no creature on earth whose provision is not upon Allah.”

And in his words, peace be upon him, in an authentic hadith:

“Then his provision, deeds and lifespan are recorded, and whether he will be wretched or blessed.”

Since the terms “compulsion,” “provision” and others like them admit of more than one meaning, the imams prohibited affirming or denying them without qualification, as previously reported from al-Awzāʿī, Abū Ishāq al-Fazārī and other imams.