and then the affair turns out contrary to what he sought—his objective slips from his grasp or some unforeseen harm befalls him—he must believe in the Divine decree and must not say, “If I had done such-and-such, then such-and-such would have happened,” for the word “if” opens the door to Satan. It breeds regret and sorrow over what has passed, saps his patience with what Allah has ordained for him, and implants the thought that, had he acted differently, the mishap would not have occurred.

10. As for using “if” in the context of wishing for good or clarifying beneficial knowledge, that usage is praiseworthy, for the ruling on the means follows the ruling on the ends. Thus the Prophet ﷺ said: “Had I known at the start of my pilgrimage what I came to know later, I would not have driven the sacrificial animals and I would have released myself from consecration along with you.” ⦗Bukhari 505; Muslim 218⦘.