Mukhtasar Muslim

Abu Al-Aswad Al-Daili says: “Sayyiduna Imran bin Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) said to me: ‘What do you think about that for which people are acting today and enduring effort and hardship—has that matter already been decided and passed according to previous decree, or is it something that is yet to happen, according to the hadith and proof from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?’ I said: ‘That matter has already been decided and passed.’ Imran said: ‘Is this not injustice? (Because if Allah has written in someone’s decree that he is to be among the people of Hell, then how can he act contrary to that?)’ Hearing this, I became very anxious and said: ‘This is not injustice because everything is created by Allah and belongs to Him; no one can question Him, but they will be questioned.’ Imran said: ‘May Allah have mercy on you, I only asked this to test your understanding.’

Two men from the tribe of Muzaynah came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What do you say about that for which people are acting today and enduring hardship—has the matter already been decided and passed in the decree, or is it something that is yet to happen, according to the command which the Prophet has brought and the proof has been established upon them?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘No, rather the matter has already been decided.’ And its confirmation is in the Book of Allah, where Allah the Exalted has said: ‘By the soul and Him Who proportioned it, then inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness.’ (Ash-Shams: 7-8).