Thus, while His Throne was upon the water, He, glorified be He, decreed all that He intended to create in this world until the Day of Resurrection. As related in the Sunan collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“When Allah first created the Pen, He said, ‘Write.’ It asked, ‘What shall I write?’ He said, ‘Write whatever will happen until the Day of Resurrection.’”

The hadiths concerning His decreeing and recording what He intends to create are very numerous.

Ibn Abī Hātim related that al-Dahhāk was asked about His words:

“Indeed, We have created all things according to a decree.”

He replied: “Ibn ‘Abbās said: Allah decreed all destinies by His power, ordered all affairs by His wisdom, and knew what His servants would ultimately become, what He would create, and what would happen among His creation. Accordingly, Allah created Paradise and Hell. He appointed Paradise for His devoted servants, granted them knowledge, loved them, took them into His care, enabled them to do what is right, and protected them. He left the people of Hell, and Iblīs gained mastery over them, led them astray, and caused them to stumble.

“For everything He created what suited its constitution and the provision that would sustain it, whether on land or at sea. He gave the camel a constitution no part of which would suit another kind of animal. Likewise, for every animal Allah created features suited to its constitution. His creation is thus harmonious, not at odds with the purpose for which He created it.”

Ibn Abī Hātim said: My father narrated to us: Yahyā ibn Zakariyyā ibn Mihrān al-Qazzāz narrated to us: