They say this and similar things, claiming that this is because He does whatever He wills. The Quran refutes them in many ways, just as it refutes those who deny divine decree. Thus, as explained above, the verse refutes both groups, even though both cite it in support of their views. It is evidence against them both.
If those who deny divine decree say:
“He said of good, ‘It is from Allah,’ and of evil, ‘It is from yourself,’ only because He commands the former and forbids the latter, as all Muslims agree.”
They further say:
“We hold that His will is inseparable from His command: whatever He commands, He wills, and whatever He does not command, He does not will. Thus, His will and His command urge obedience, not disobedience. This is why the former is from Him, but not the latter.”
The reply is:
As for the verse, it has already become clear that those who said, “Good is from Allah, and evil is from you,” meant: “From you, O Muhammad—that is, because of your religion.” They thus made the Messenger’s mission the cause of calamities. This is a different issue from that of divine decree.
Even if obedience and disobedience were intended—as has been suggested—then