What is the meaning of "hesitation" in His saying, "(I do not hesitate in anything I am about to do)" in the Hadith Qudsi? And does Allah hesitate? How do we respond to those who deny this?
Al-Bukhari narrated from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah said: 'Whoever shows hostility to a friend (wali) of Mine, I shall declare war upon him...'" (the ). The hesitation mentioned therein is a hesitation in taking the soul of the believer out of mercy and compassion for him, and not like the hesitation of a created being. The description of Allah with hesitation must be restricted to the hesitation in taking the soul of the believer. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about affirming the attribute of hesitation for Allah, and he replied that it is not permissible to affirm absolute hesitation for Allah; rather, it is for the sake of mercy for the believing servant. Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about the meaning of Allah's hesitation in this Hadith, and he replied that the words of His Messenger are true, and the mentioned hesitation is when one thing is desired from one aspect but disliked from another. And Allah knows best.
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