Commentary on a previous quiz which most people got wrong:

1. ما شاء الله و شئت 2. ما شاء الله ثم شئت The difference between these two statements may appear small to the eye; the first has (و) as a conjunction and the second has (ثم), but in terms of meaning, the first statement equates to Shirk while the second is permissible. How is the first statement shirk? When you use (و), you are equating the Divine Will of Allah to that of the creation in terms of speech/utterance. This is MINOR shirk! But if this statement/utterance is coupled with the belief that Allah's Divine Will is like that of His creation, then this is MAJOR shirk! What is the proof? It is reported on the authority of Qutailah radhiyallahu 'anhu that a Jewish man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said to him: “Verily, you (Muslims) commit Shirk, for you say: ما شاء الله وشئت “As Allah Wills and as you will;” and you say: “By the Ka'abah!” So the Prophet ﷺ ordered whoever wanted to swear, to say: ورب الكعبة "By the Lord of the Ka'bah!" and to say: ما شاء الله ثم شئت "As Allah Wills, then as you will." [Narrated by An-Nasaa`i, who said that it is authentic] NOTE: Although it is permissible to say, ما شاء الله ثم شئت. It is more preferable to say: ما شاء الله وحده “As Allah Alone wills” The proof: On the authority of At-Tufail, the half brother of 'A'ishah radhiyallahu 'anha, it is reported that he said: "I saw in a dream that I came upon a number of Jews and I said to them: "You are indeed a good people were it not that you claim that 'Uzair (peace be upon him) is the son of Allah." They replied: "You too are good, were it not that you say: "As Allah Wills and as Muhammad wills." Then, I came upon a number of Christians and I said to them: "You are indeed a good people were it not that you claim that the Messiah ('Eesa peace be upon him) is the son of Allah." They replied: "You are also good, were it not that you say: "As Allah Wills and as Muhammad wills." When I awoke, I told someone about this, then I went to the Prophet ﷺ and repeated it to him. He asked me: "Have you told anyone about this?" I said: "Yes." Then he went to the pulpit and, after praising Allah, he said: "At-Tufail had a dream which he has already communicated to some of you. You used to say something which I was prevented from forbidding to you until now. Henceforth, do not say: "As Allah Wills and as Muhammad wills," but say: ما شاء الله وحده "What Allah Alone Wills." [Narrated by Ibn Majah] Ref: Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 42 Saying: "As Allah Wills and You Will."