principles are numerous, in addition to the many rational proofs supporting them.

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The early generations of the Muslim community and its leading scholars also agree that Allah’s servants are commanded to do what He has commanded them and forbidden to do what He has prohibited. They agree that His promise and warning, as expressed in the Quran and Sunnah, must be believed. They also agree that no one has any argument against Allah for neglecting an obligation or committing a forbidden act. Rather, Allah has the conclusive argument against His servants.

Whoever invokes divine decree to justify neglecting a command, committing a forbidden act, or rejecting what the revealed texts convey concerning promise and warning is further astray, more guilty of fabricating lies about Allah, and more opposed to Allah’s religion than those Qadariyyah. For those Qadariyyah are likened to the Magians, and reports describe them as the Magians of this Muslim community, as related from Ibn ‘Umar and others among the early generations. Hadiths to this effect have also been reported as traced back to the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, including reports narrated by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī. However, a number of leading hadith scholars have challenged the authenticity of the reports traced back to the Prophet on this subject. This is discussed at length in its proper place.

The point here is that the Qadariyyah who deny divine decree resemble the Magians in affirming that someone other than Allah brings evil things into being independently of His will, power and creation.