[Chapter from the Rāfidī’s discussion of Ahl al-Sunnah’s doctrine concerning divine decree: It Is Not Correct to Describe Allah as Forgiving, Forbearing, and Pardoning]

(Chapter)

The [Rāfidī] (1) said:

“Another consequence is that Allah (2) cannot properly be described as Forgiving, Forbearing, and Pardoning (3) (4), because He could be described by these attributes (5) only if Allah were entitled to punish the flagrantly disobedient, such that, if He waived that punishment (6) for them, He would be Forgiving, Pardoning, and Merciful (7). Punishment would be deserved only if the act of disobedience came from the servant, not from Allah Most High” (8).

In reply, it is said:

The answer may be given in several ways.

First: Many of Ahl al-Sunnah say (9), “We do not concede that He can be described by these attributes (10) only if He is entitled to punish. Rather, He may be described by these attributes (11) whenever He has the power to punish, irrespective of whether He is entitled to do so. For restricting His entitlement to these matters would entail that He is entitled to do one thing but not another, and these scholars reject this. Rather, He may do whatever He wills and decree whatever He wishes. Thus, when (12) He has the power to punish the disobedient and does whatever He wills, His forgiveness, forbearance, and pardon may properly be affirmed (13).”