11. Tamim ibn `Abd Allah ibn Tamim al-Qarashi رضي الله عنه said: My father said, on the authority of Ahmad ibn `Ali al-Ansari, on the authority of Abu al-Salt `Abd al-Salam ibn Salih al-Hirawi that One day al-Ma`mum asked `Ali ibn Musa al-Rida عليه السلام. “O son of the Messenger of Allah! What is the meaning of the Word of Allah, the Mighty and High: And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers? And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah’s permission. Consequently, al-Rida عليه السلام replied, My father Musa ibn Ja`far related to me, on the authority of his father Ja`far ibn Muhammad, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn` Ali, on the authority of his father `Ali ibn al-Husayn, on the authority of his father al-Husayn ibn `Ali, on the authority of his father `Ali ibn Abu Talib عليه السلام that The Muslims said to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: “O Messenger of Allah! If you compel the people over whom you have power to embrace Islam, then our numbers would increase, and we would have strength over our enemies.” The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied: “I could never face Allah, the Mighty and High, if I innovated and acted on my own without instruction. Surely, I am not those who force people (into faith).” Hence, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed: O Muhammad! And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; through (personal) commitment or through compulsion. They would have believed as those who accept faith after observation, and seeing the strength of the Hereafter. If you compelled them to believe, they would not deserve any reward or praise from Me. Although I want them to believe, I want them to do so freely, and without compulsion. That way, they will earn the right to be in My Proximity, and to receive My Honor, through eternal life in Paradise. Will you then force men till they become believers? As for the Word of the Mighty and High: And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah’s permission, it does not mean that the soul has been forbidden from believing. Rather, it means that the soul does not believe but by the will of Allah. For a soul to believe Allah’s Will is His Command. The soul is not forced or compelled to believe. Rather, he commits the soul to belief when it is devoid of force or compulsion.” Al-Ma’mun said: “You have relieved me O Abu alHasan. May Allah relieve you!”