in contrast to the discerning, as in the other hadith:

“Everything is by divine decree, even inaction and discernment.”

Here a question occurs to many people: if what is written must inevitably come to pass, would what was written have changed had the servant not performed the deed? This question also arises concerning someone who is killed: had he not been killed, would he have died? Similar questions may also be asked.

The answer is: had this person not performed righteous deeds, he would not have been blessed; and had he not performed evil deeds, he would not have been wretched. This is like saying that Allah knows what has happened, what will happen, and how things that will not happen would have happened if they had occurred. This concerns knowing and describing how something that will not happen would be if it did happen, as in His words:

“Had there been in the heavens and the earth gods besides Allah, both would have fallen into ruin.”

And His words:

“If they were sent back, they would return to what they were forbidden.”

And His words:

“Had they gone out with you, they would only have added to your confusion.”

And His words:

“Had Allah known any good in them, He would have made them hear.”

There are other examples of this, such as the report that, when a door to Paradise and a door to Hell are opened for a servant in his grave, he is told: “This is your dwelling. Had you done such and such, Allah would have given you another dwelling in its place.”

Likewise, one may say of someone: had that man not killed him, he would not have died, but would have continued living, unless another cause had been decreed through which he would die. The implication of this statement runs contrary to the reality that is known and decreed. Supposing an impossibility may entail an impossible consequence, and there is nothing objectionable in that.