3. My father said: Sa`d ibn `Abd Allah said: Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Isa said, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Khalid al-barqi, on the authority of `Abd al-Malik ibn `Antarah alShaybani, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather who said A man came to the Commander of the Faithful and said: “O Commander of the Faithful, tell me about the Divine Decree.” He replied, “It is a deep ocean, so do not enter it.” The man said: “O Commander of the Faithful, tell me about the Divine Decree.” The Imam answered, “It is a dark path, so do not follow it.” The man said: “O Commander of the Faithful, tell me about the Divine Decree.” The Imam answered, “It is a secret of Allah. Do not enquire about it.” He said: “O Commander of the Faithful, tell me about the Divine Decree.” The Imam asked, “Since you refuse to stop questioning me, I shall question you. Tell me: Does the Mercy of Allah towards His Servants precede or succeed the actions of His Servants?” The man replied to him, “Allah’s Mercy towards His Servants existed prior to the actions of His Servants.” The Commander of the Faithful said: “All of you stand up and greet your brother, for he has submitted to Islam, while only shortly before he was an unbeliever.” The reporter says: The man moved off, but not far. Then he returned and asked, “O Commander of the Faithful! Do we stand and sit, and apprehend the delight, with the First Will?” The Commander of the Faithful replied to him, “Verily, you are far from the Divine Will. Beware! I will ask you concerning three matters from which Allah will not give you a place of escape. Tell me: Did Allah create the servants the way He willed or the way they did?” Consequently, he replied, “the way He willed.” The Imam asked, “Did Allah create the servants for what He willed or for what they willed?” He answered, “For what He willed.” Then (The) `Ali asked, “Will they appear before Him on the Day of Judgment the way He wills or the way they will?” The man replied, “They will come to Him on the Day of Judgment the way He wills. The Imam said: “Stand up, as you do not have any belief in the Divine Will.”