his master—he may nevertheless disobey his master, even though his disobedience involves a measure of corruption.

As for the Creator, Most High, no one can do anything except by His will and power. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass. Disobedience to His command entails corruption with which no rectitude can coexist. Thus, a created being is even less able to benefit or harm without His permission than a slave is without his master’s permission. A created being’s disobedience to His command, which He sent His messengers to convey, entails far greater corruption than a slave’s disobedience to his master’s command.

Allah, Most High, says in the account of His intimate friend—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and his debate with his people:

“His people argued with him. He said, ‘Do you argue with me concerning Allah when He has guided me? I do not fear what you associate with Him, unless my Lord wills something. My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge. Will you not then take heed? And how should I fear what you associate with Him, while you do not fear associating with Allah that for which He has sent down to you no authority? Which of the two parties, then, has greater right to security, if you know?’”