for the act to be good in itself and merit reward, or evil and merit punishment.”

The Qadariyyah then said: “But actions do fall into these categories; therefore, He does not create them.”

The Jabriyyah said: “But He does create them; therefore, actions do not fall into these categories.”

However, those among the Jabriyyah who acknowledge the messengers recognize this distinction solely on the basis of the Lawgiver’s commands and prohibitions. They say: “He may command whatever He wills, without any inherent quality in it being the reason, and prohibit whatever He wills, without any inherent quality in it being the reason.” Regarding both His creation and His commands, they say: “He does whatever He wills and decrees whatever He wishes.”

As for someone overcome by personal opinion or desire, he casts off the Lawgiver’s authority once he sees actions as compelled. Such people say what the polytheists say:

“Had Allah willed, neither we nor our forefathers would have associated partners with Him, nor would we have forbidden anything.”

Whoever acknowledges revealed law, commands and prohibitions, and moral good and evil, but not divine decree or Allah’s creation of actions—as is the position of the Mutazilah—belongs to the Magian Qadariyyah, who resemble the Magians. The Mutazilah bear considerable resemblance to the Magians and the Jews.

Whoever acknowledges divine ordainment and decree, Allah’s creation of actions, and His all-encompassing lordship, but denies right and wrong, guidance and misguidance, and good deeds and evil deeds, bears a resemblance to the polytheists and the Sabians.