The first is the creational will: the will that necessarily entails the occurrence of what is willed. Of this it is said, “Whatever Allah wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass.” This is the will referred to in such statements as His words:
“Whomever Allah wills to guide, He opens his heart to Islam; and whomever He wills to lead astray, He makes his heart tight and constricted.”
And His words:
“My advice will not benefit you, even if I wish to advise you, if Allah wills to lead you astray.”
And Allah Most High says:
“Had Allah willed, they would not have fought one another, but Allah does whatever He wills.”
And Allah Most High says:
“Why, when you entered your garden, did you not say, ‘What Allah wills! There is no power except through Allah’?”
There are other similar passages.
This will is what the lām signifies in His words:
“They will continue to differ, except those upon whom your Lord has mercy; and for that He created them.”
The early generations said: “He created one group for disagreement and another for mercy.” Since mercy here was the will, and there it was creational, what was willed through it came to pass: some people differed, while others were shown mercy.
As for the second kind, it is the religious, legislative will. It consists in loving and approving what is willed, loving and being pleased with those who fulfill it, and rewarding them with the best. Thus Allah Most High says:
“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”
And Allah Most High says:
“Allah does not intend to place any hardship upon you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you.”
And He says:
“Allah intends to make things clear to you, guide you to the ways of those before you, and turn to you in forgiveness. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
“Allah intends to turn to you in forgiveness, but those who follow their desires want you to stray far away.”
“Allah intends to lighten your burden, for mankind was created weak.”
This will does not necessarily entail the occurrence of what is willed unless the first kind of will also pertains to it. Thus there are four categories: