or non-desert of man. 'He chastiseth whom He will, and whom He will He forgiveth. And God hath power over all things.' ¹ 'And if God had pleased, they who came after them would not have wrangled, after the clear signs had reached them. But into dispute they fell: some of them believed, and some were infidels; yet if God had pleased, they would not have wrangled, but God doth what He will.' ²

In this last verse we have the two verbs sha'a (to please) and arada (to will), which are employed most commonly in the Qur'an to express the divine pleasure or will. In some passages they appear to be used interchangeably. For example, in Suratu'l-Baqara (ii) 254 we have 'God doth what He will (yurid),' while in Suratu Ibrahim (xiv) 32 we find 'God doth His pleasure (yasha').' The use of the word yurid in (ii) 254 shows plainly that the verb does not necessarily express the idea of a direct act of will. It is used here to express the good pleasure and desire of God, which from the human standpoint, at least, precedes the decree or command or ordinance.

It is perhaps not unnecessary to insist on the fact that the expressions whereby Muhammad refers to the divine pleasure and will are remarkably variable. The word ardda (imperfect yuridu) 'to will', though it is the word which we should expect to find used with a definite and clear meaning, is employed so indiscriminately that it may express every shade of gradation from simple desire to absolute determination involving an act of will,

and when the will referred to is the divine will, the determination or resolve becomes a divine decree. 'Mothers, when divorced, shall give suck to their children two full years, if the father desire (yurid) that the suckling be completed.' ¹ ' ... if the prophet desired to wed her.' ² 'and it will be more just in their husbands to bring them back when in this state, if they desire (arada) what is right.' ³ 'Was the time of my absence so long to you? or desired ye (aradtum) that wrath from your Lord should light upon you, that ye failed in your promise to me?' ⁴ 'Ye desire (turiduna) the passing fruitions of this world, but God desireth (yurid) the next life for you.' ⁵

This desire may result in some act which, so to speak, gives it body, and the word then expresses purpose or intention. 'What meaneth (yurid) God by his comparison?' ⁶ 'And truly we know not whether evil be meant (urida) for them that are on the earth, or whether their Lord meaneth (arada) guidance for them.' ⁷ 'So Pharaoh sought (ardda) to drive them out of the land; but We drowned him and all his followers.' ⁸ 'Nor if God desire (yurid) to mislead you, shall my counsel profit you, though I fain would (aradtu) counsel you aright.' ⁹