unmixed or predominant, and He forbids only that whose harm is unmixed or predominant.
Among the manifestations of the wisdom of Islamic law is that, just as it provides the fullest means of setting hearts, character, and deeds right and remaining steadfast upon the straight path, it also provides the fullest means of setting worldly affairs right. Worldly affairs cannot truly be set right except through the true religion brought by Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This is plain and perceptible to every rational person. When Muhammad’s community upheld this religion—its foundations, its detailed teachings, and everything to which it guides and directs—their affairs were marked by the utmost soundness and rectitude. But when they departed from it, abandoned much of its guidance, and ceased to follow its lofty teachings, their worldly affairs went astray just as their religious affairs did.
Likewise, consider the other nations that have attained tremendous power, civilization, and material advancement. Because they lack the spirit, mercy, and justice of religion, their harm has outweighed their benefit, and their evil has exceeded their good. Their scholars, sages, and statesmen have been unable to remedy the evils arising from them, nor will they be able to do so as long as they remain as they are. Thus, among the manifestations of His wisdom, Most High, is that the religion and Quran brought by Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are among the greatest proofs of his truthfulness and the truth of what he brought: it is perfectly ordered and complete, with a perfection attainable only through it.
In short, His name the All-Wise encompasses both created things and revealed laws, all of which display the utmost perfection. He is All-Wise in His decrees, His revealed rulings, and His judgments of recompense.
The distinction between His decrees and His revealed rulings is that His decrees concern what He brings into existence, creates, and ordains: whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass.
His revealed rulings concern what He has prescribed. Every servant, being subject to His lordship, necessarily falls under either both kinds of ruling or one of them. Whoever does what Allah loves and is pleased with falls under both. Whoever does the opposite falls under His decree, for what he has done occurs by Allah’s decree and predestination; but His revealed ruling is not fulfilled in him, because he has abandoned what Allah loves and is pleased with.