Since that is so, whoever invokes divine decree as an argument against the Messengers thereby acknowledges that he has no knowledge to support the position he holds, [and that he has merely spoken without knowledge] (1). What anyone says without knowledge is false, and anyone who argues without knowledge has an untenable argument. He is either ignorant, in which case he must follow knowledge, or he has recognized the truth but followed his own desire, in which case he must follow the truth and forsake his desire.

It is thus clear that one who invokes divine decree is following his own desire without knowledge. “Who could be further astray than one who follows his own desire without guidance from Allah?”

At that point, the response in this matter may be given in several ways:

First: This would amount to being left without an answer only if invoking divine decree were admissible (2). But since invoking divine decree is self-evidently false—a fact firmly established (3) in [all] (4) innate dispositions and minds—this question has no force. The reason (5) is that (6) it is firmly established in people’s innate dispositions and minds that anyone required to perform a voluntary act (7) is not entitled to invoke such a plea. If one person demands repayment from another of a debt owed to him (8), the latter is not entitled to say, “I will not pay you (9) until Allah creates in me the act of paying.” If a man orders his slave to do something (10), the slave is not entitled to say, “I will not do it until Allah creates in me the act of doing it.” And whoever