What is meant by the shaykhs' mention of the rank of knowledge among the ranks of faith in divine decree, and what is the reason for mentioning God's knowledge of what will happen, which He has already decreed and willed?

The stages of divine decree (al-Qadar) are four: Knowledge, Writing, Will, and Creation. What is meant by Knowledge is a Muslim's belief in Allah's encompassing knowledge of everything, whether existent or non-existent, possible or impossible. He knows all that has been and all that will be. He knew what His creation would do before He created them, and He knew their provisions, their appointed times, and their circumstances. This is confirmed by the Holy Qur'an in multiple verses. Previous knowledge is mentioned for several reasons, including: alleviating a calamity for a servant by reminding him that Allah had decreed and known it before it occurred; demonstrating the suitability of Islamic law and that Allah knows what is best for His servants; refuting objections to Allah's choice of whom He wills among His servants; and responding to the extremists among the Qadariyya who deny previous knowledge. The Qur'an emphasizes this stage due to its importance.