If you say: Why was I not answered in his request for delay? Rather, he requested delay to corrupt His servants and lead them astray. [Mahamud said: 'If you say: Why was I not answered in his request for delay? Rather, he requested delay to corrupt His servants... etc.'] Ahmad said: This question is only posed and the answer to it is only required by the Qadarites who impose on Allah, the Exalted, the obligation of considering the interests in His actions. As for the people of the Sunnah, they have listened attentively to His saying: 'He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.' So none of them poses this question, nor does anyone who poses it answer it. And Allah is the Grantor of success. I say: This is due to the trial of the servants in it, and in opposing it is the greatest reward. Its ruling is like that of what He created in this world of various adornments and types of pleasures and amusements, and what He instilled in souls of desires to test His servants with.