Shaykh al-Islām was asked about the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, reporting from his Lord, Mighty and Majestic:

“I have never hesitated over anything I am going to do as I hesitate over taking the soul of My believing servant: he dislikes death, and I dislike causing him distress.”

“What is meant by Allah’s hesitation?”

He answered:

This is a noble hadith, narrated by al-Bukhārī on the authority of Abū Hurayrah. It is the most excellent hadith narrated concerning the qualities of Allah’s close friends. Some have rejected these words, saying: “Allah cannot be described as hesitating. Only someone who does not know how things will turn out hesitates, whereas Allah knows their outcomes best.”

Some of them have also said: “Allah is treated as one who hesitates.”

The truth of the matter is that the words of His Messenger are true. No one knows Allah better than His Messenger; no one is more sincere in counselling the Muslim community, more eloquent, or clearer in expression. This being so, anyone who quibbles and objects to him is among the most misguided, ignorant and ill-mannered of people. Indeed, he must be disciplined and given a discretionary punishment. The words of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, must be safeguarded