How can we differentiate between saying “whatever is right is from Allah and whatever wrong is from me and Shaitaan”, and the saying of Mu’tazilites that “actions are created by people”?

The saying, “If it (my conclusion or judgement) is correct, it is from Allaah, but if it is incorrect, it is from myself and Shaitaan – and Allaah and His Messenger (ﷺ) are innocent of it,” was said by ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood (radiyallaahu anhu) when he was asked to pass a verdict on the inheritance of a woman whose husband died immediately after marriage.[1]

This is something the scholars say when they cannot find a relevant and authentic text on an issue and are forced to resort to personal reasoning in the light of Islamic principles and maxims. It is not meant to be used by unqualified persons to talk about Islamic issues and then absolve themselves from accountability by saying the aforementioned words. Such people are speaking without the proper knowledge and qualification, and they will be held sinful even if they are correct.

What is meant here in this saying, is that the source of the inspiration, not the creation of the person’s action. This is because Shaitaans have the ability to inspire thoughts, including bad dreams, to us. Allaah, the Exalted, says:

“Thus have we assigned for every prophet an enemy – devils from among humans and jinn, suggesting to each other by means of beautified, specious words in order to deceive.”[2]

“Indeed, the devils inspire their allies [among men] so they can argue with you.” [3]

On the other hand, the Mu‘tazilah’s ascribing the creation of actions to their doers – people, was intended to negate the ascription of evil to Allaah. However, by this they inadvertently implied that there exists in Allaah’s dominion that which He did not will to exist and that there are numerous creators besides Him, in addition to contradicting the clear texts:

“Allaah is the creator of everything.” [4]

“Allaah created you and that which you do.” [5]

Of course, whatever Allaah creates of good or evil actions for their doers cannot be attributed to Him because deeds are attributed to their doers. Moreover, Allaah allowed each human being to choose his own actions and has not forced anyone, and His creational will to cause such actions to exist when their doers perform them does not necessarily denote His pleasure with them. Also, Allaah does not create anything which is purely evil and is completely devoid of any good or benefit. Therefore, there is no need to negate the creation of actions from Him in the first place.

And Allaah knows best.

References:

[1] Reported by Aboo Daawood (2116) and graded authentic by Ibn-ul-Qayyim and al-Albaanee. A similar statement is reported by al-Baihaqee from ‘Umar and authenticated by Ibn Hajar. However, the famous statement narrated from Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq in this regard was graded inauthentic by the scholars including Ibn Taymeeyah, Ibn Hajar and others.

[2] Surah al-An’am, 6:112

[3] Surah al-An’am, 6:121

[4] Surah az-Zumar, 39:62

[5] Surah as-Saffat, 37:96