The origin of “Iradah” is “Raud” and it means coming to and fro softly in pursuit of anything. The shepherd who takes the animals to pasture is called “Raud” and the word “Iradah” has three parts. To desire something in love, the hope of reaching it, and the order by self or someone else to do the work.
The will according to most Loghat and orators means the determination or intentions. Raghib says in Mafuradat the word is often spoken as will by the orators. To some will means the creation of something and to come to it, and in common parlance it is used to denote intention so when it is used for God it means creation and when used for people it means to reach something. (1)
According to some dictionaries there is a difference between the meaning of “Iradah” and “Mashiat” or intention and will. (2)
The will is the desire that which is derived after imagination and confirmation. Then comes determination, firm resolution and then the will. So the intention precedes some stages and desire comes together with deed as the last stage. (3)
The traditions in Islam say that the will comes before the desire and we will deal this under explanations.