1. My father said: Sa`d ibn `Abd Allah said, on the authority of Ya`qub ibn Yazid, on the authority of Hammad ibn `Isa, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn `Umar al-Yamani that Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq said:

Verily, Allah, the Mighty and High, created a creation, and knew they would proceed to Him. He commanded them what to do and what not to do. However, He never commands them to do anything until He has given them the ability do so; and He never forbids them from doing anything until He gives them the means to refrain from doing so. People never act or refrain from acting but with the permission of Allah, the Mighty and High, i.e. with His Knowledge.