every event takes place only because His will has prevailed over all other wills; His decree has outstripped every stratagem. He does whatever He wills and is never unjust—exalted is He above all evil and unbecoming qualities, transcendent of every flaw and defect.

Whatever unfolds in the universe does so by Allah’s decree and predestination. The Exalted said, “And you do not will unless Allah, Lord of the worlds, wills” (al-Takwir 81:29). Thus He affirms that the servant possesses a will, yet it is subsumed under Allah’s will, and the servant cannot will except through the will of Allah.

No matter how many means you adopt or efforts you exert, if Allah has not decreed the resulting effect, those means will not benefit you. All deeds are fruitless unless Allah, exalted is He, decrees benefit for you through them. Your duty is to employ the means, while success comes from Allah; you have been commanded to take the means.

Accordingly, Allah does whatever He wills—whether good or evil, blessing or retribution—and He is never unjust to His servants, for He puts everything in its proper place. He grants favor and success to those qualified for it, and He withholds success and obedience from those who do not deserve them. He is not unjust: He does not punish the obedient and righteous, nor does He reward the sinner for his sin.

Allah, glorified be He, is perfect in His Essence and perfect in His names and attributes,