those before them denied the truth until they tasted Our punishment. Say, “Do you possess any knowledge that you can lay before Us? You follow nothing but conjecture; you are only guessing.” Say, “To Allah belongs the conclusive proof; had He willed, He would have guided you all together.” (Quran 6:148–149)

If destiny were a legitimate excuse for anyone, Allah would not have punished the peoples who rejected the messengers—Noah’s people, ʿĀd, Thamūd, the overturned cities, and Pharaoh’s people—nor would He have commanded that the prescribed penalties be carried out against aggressors. No one cites destiny as a defense except someone who pursues his own desires without guidance from Allah. Whoever claims that destiny excuses sinners and lifts from them all blame and punishment must, to be consistent, refrain from censuring or punishing anyone who wrongs him; pleasure-bringing and pain-bringing deeds would become equal in his eyes, and he would make no distinction between one who treats him well and one who treats him ill—something impossible by nature, by reason, and by the revealed law.

Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Shall We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption on earth? Or shall We treat the God-fearing like the wicked?” (Quran 38:28)

He also says:

“Shall We then make the Muslims like the criminals?” (Quran 68:35)

And He says:

“Or do those who commit evil deeds think that We will make them equal, in life and in death, to those who believe and do righteous deeds? How evil is the judgment they make!” (Quran 45:21)

And He says:

“Did you think that We created you for play and that you would not be returned to Us?” (Quran 23:115), and He also said: