Capability

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) about the issue of capability. Hence, He (AS) replied: “The issue of capability is not from my statement or the statement of my forefathers. The Compiler of this book says: He means…

A servant cannot act or move unless the ability to act is given to him by Allah, the Mighty and High. Verily, the legal capacity [taklif] from Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has occurred after the capability. Thus, no…

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) about the issue of ability, but he did not answer me. So I entered his presence at another time and said: “May Allah be in peace with you! A doubt has entered my heart which nobo0dy…

Zurarah asked him (AS) while I was present, “Are we capable of fulfilling the obligations Allah has made obligatory on us in His Book? And are we capable of refraining from the prohibitions which Allah has made…

I said to Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS): “We have something to discuss.” He (AS) said: “Go ahead.” I said: We believe: Verily, Allah, the Mighty and High, commands us what to do and what not to do. He has decreed and…

The servants (of Allah) have not been commanded to do anything more than what they are capable of doing. Therefore, people re able to refrain from whatever they have been enjoined to refrain, and whatever they do not…

“A servant is capable when he possesses four characteristics: his route is free from trouble, his body is healthy, he has all his limbs, and has a means of sustenance provided to him by Allah, the Mighty and High.” I…

Verily, Allah, the Mighty and High, created a creation and knew they will not proceed to Him. He command them what they should o, and what they should not do. He never commands people to do something, unless He gives…

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) about the Word of Allah, the Mighty and High: And verily they were called upon to make obeisance while yet they were safe. He (AS) said: “The capable are capable of fulfilling the…

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) about the Word of Allah, the Mighty and High: And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it. He…

“Whoever is offered the means to perform the pilgrimage, even if it means riding on the back of a mutilated, mangled tailed donkey has the means of performing the pilgrimage, even if he refuses the offer.”

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (as) about the issue of capability. So he (as) responded, “Have they done so?” I said: “Yes. They claim that the ability to do something applied only at the onset of the action and the…

“A servant (of Allah) is not able to accomplish an action unless he has the ability to do so. Sometimes he has the ability to accomplish an action, but he does not do it. However, he can never accomplish an action unless…

“He means that whoever has a healthy body, a route free from trouble, proper provision, and a mode of transportation.

“They indeed had the ability. Allah knew that they would have carried out their duty had it been a short and advantageous journey.”

“Allah, the Mighty and High, has refuted their statement: If we had been able, we would certainly have gone forth with you; stating that they did indeed have the means of going forth.”

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS): “What is the meaning of the word of the Mighty and High: And, verily, they were called upon to make obeisance while yet they were safe.” He replied, “They had the ability.”

“A servant cannot accomplish an action unless Allah, the Mighty and High, has granted him the ability of doing so. Verily, the legal capacity [taklif] from Allah has occurred after the ability. Thus, no one has legal…

Allah does not oblige His Servants to complete an action, nor does He forbid them form anything, without giving them the ability to do so. Then, and only then, He commands them to complete certain actions or to refrain…

“Apprehension and delight do not occur from a servant unless he has been granted the ability for apprehension and delight.”

When a group of people were debating before him about the deeds and actins, I heard him say, “The ability to act precedes the action. Allah, the Mighty and High, did not command anything that would cause fear or delight…

I said to Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS): “I have a family member who belongs to the Qadariya and who believes that we are able of doing so and so, and able of not doing so and so. So Abu `Abd Allah (AS) said: “tell him:…

Commander of the Faithful (AS) passed by a group in Kufah while they were arguing about the Divine Decree. Thus, he asked their speaker, “Are you able to act because of Allah, with Allah or without Allah?” The person did…

Messenger of Allah (SA) said: “Nine things have been raised from My Ummah: error, forgetfulness, coercion, weakness, ignorance, compulsion, jealousy, evil omen, and the evil thoughts form the whisper (of Satan) which…

“You have relieved me. May Allah relieve you!”