Chapter: Saying, “Whatever Allah wills and whatever you will”

Qutaylah narrated that a Jew came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “You commit shirk, for you say, ‘Whatever Allah wills and whatever you will,’ and you also say, ‘By the Kaaba.’” The Prophet ﷺ therefore instructed them that, when they wished to swear an oath, they should say, “By the Lord of the Kaaba,” and that they should say, “Whatever Allah wills, then whatever you will.” (1) Reported by al-Nasa’i, who declared it authentic.

Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawhid: it falls under Allah’s statement, “…so do not set up rivals to Allah…” (Q 2:22), and its pertinence has already been explained.

Biographical notes: Qutaylah—with the qāf pronounced with ḍamma and the tā with fatḥa, in diminutive form—is the daughter of Sayfi al-Juhaniyyah, a female Companion.

The phrase “Whatever Allah wills and whatever you will”: the issue discussed here is its ruling—may it be said or not? If prohibited, does it amount to shirk?

“You commit shirk”: i.e., minor shirk.

“Whatever Allah wills and whatever you will”: this statement associates another with Allah in His will.

“And you say, ‘By the Kaaba’”: this is an oath sworn by other than Allah.