make things difficult; give glad tidings, and do not drive people away. Be accommodating toward one another, and do not disagree.” Examples of this in the revealed law are too numerous to count.

Whoever claims that Allah has commanded His servants to do things they cannot do even when they firmly resolve to do them has lied about Allah and His Messenger. He is among the fabricators of whom Allah says:

“Indeed, those who took the calf for worship will incur wrath from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world. Thus do We recompense the fabricators.”

Abū Qilābah said: “This applies to every fabricator in this community until the Day of Resurrection.”

Yet, while affirming this, you must also know that there is no power or strength except through Allah; that whatever Allah wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass; and that Allah is the Creator of all things. He created His servants, their ability, their will, and their actions. He is the Lord and Sovereign of all things. Nothing occurs except by His will, permission, decree, predestination, power, and action. Will is mentioned in the Book of Allah in two senses:

The first is His religious will, as Allah Most High says:

“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”

“Allah wishes to make things clear to you, guide you to the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance”—through to His words—“And Allah wishes to accept your repentance.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Allah does not intend to impose hardship upon you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favour upon you, so that you may be grateful.”

The second is His universal will, as Allah Most High says: “Whomever Allah wills to guide