Furthermore, the servant must know that Allah’s knowledge of everything in His creation preceded all events.

Hence, Allah may choose not to grant you a particular matter, for had you obtained it, it would have harmed you. Allah knows, whereas you do not. Your obligation is to accept His decree and predestination with contentment.

In the Noble Quran Allah addresses His Prophet ﷺ: “Say, ‘Nothing will ever befall us except what Allah has written for us; He is our Protector, and in Allah let the believers place their trust.’ ” (al-Tawbah 9:51)

He also says—refuting the unbelievers who claimed about those killed on the Day of Uhud, “Had they been with us, they would not have died nor been killed” (Āl ʿImrān 3:156): “Say, ‘Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom killing had been decreed would still have gone forth to their resting places.’ ” (Āl ʿImrān 3:154)

Whatever has been written for a person must inevitably overtake him. Even if he takes every precaution, fortifies himself, and exhausts all protective measures, none of that can turn back Allah’s decree and predestination. The Exalted says: “Wherever you may be, death will overtake you—even if you were in towering, well-fortified castles.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:78)

This is the first level of faith in Allah’s decree and predestination: