Allah is the Creator of all causes and the One who removes obstacles. Hence the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say in his sermons:

“Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever He leads astray, none can guide.”

As Allah Most High says:

“Whoever Allah guides is truly guided; but whoever He leads astray, you will never find for him a guardian to guide him.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Whoever Allah guides is truly guided; and whoever He leads astray—it is they who are the losers.”

And Allah Most High says:

“Whoever Allah guides is truly guided; but whoever He leads astray, you will never find for them any protectors besides Him.”

Thus, Ahl al-Sunnah hold that whatever knowledge arises in the heart—even through the servant’s own effort, reflection, reasoning, listening, or similar means—it is Allah Most High who establishes that knowledge in his heart. Its presence there is due to Allah’s grace, kindness, and action.

The Qadariyyah do not regard it as an act of Allah. Rather, they say that it is generated by the servant’s reflection, just as satiety results from eating, the quenching of thirst from drinking, and injury from wounding. They attribute these effects generated by direct causes solely to the servant’s action, just as they do with actions he performs directly.