he commands to do right and forbids to do wrong will not obey him, this does not prevent him from acting as he does and issuing the commands he issues, because that very action and command serve a beneficial purpose for him. This holds true of both created beings and the Creator. A created being—such as a messenger or anyone else—commands and forbids even when he knows that he will not be obeyed, because his very act of commanding them brings him benefit, advantage, and reward, and serves a wise purpose concerning those whom he commands and forbids.

Likewise, he acts for people’s benefit, even when he knows that they will not do what is intended, provided that he receives reward, recompense, and other benefits through doing so. If some people pray in the mosque while others do not, his case is established against those who do not pray, and they deserve punishment. He has also removed any grounds for saying of him: “He did not build them a mosque in which to pray.”

The Creator, Exalted is He, sent the messengers, revealed the Scriptures, warned His servants, and removed their excuses. He provided them with means enabling them to obey, far beyond anything that anyone else who issues commands provides for those he commands. No one, then, has done more than Allah to remove the excuses of those commanded. No one who commands can establish a case against someone he commands without Allah’s case against His servants being stronger. Nor does anyone commanded deserve blame or punishment from the one commanding him for disobedience without those who disobey Allah’s command deserving punishment and blame still more.

No one loves to accept excuses more than Allah; for that reason, He sent the messengers as bearers of glad tidings and warners. Nor does anyone make matters easier for those he commands and relieve them of what they cannot bear without Allah, Exalted is He, making matters still easier for those He commands and relieving them still more of what they cannot bear.