withholding can be reversed through other causes, by which what Allah has withheld is released. Allah, glorified is He, alone is the One whose mercy, when He grants it to people, none can withhold, and what He withholds, none can release after Him. This is why He then said:

“O mankind, remember the favor of Allah upon you. Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from heaven and earth?” [Fātir 3]

And He, Most High, said:

“Yet they have ascribed partners to Allah.” [al-An‘ām 100]

Likewise, He said:

“Say, ‘Have you considered those you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intended harm for me, could they remove His harm? Or if He intended mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?’ Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me; upon Him those who trust place their trust.’” {38} [al-Zumar 38]

And He, Most High, said:

“If Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it except Him; and if He intends good for you, none can repel His bounty.” [Yūnus 107]

He, glorified is He, has made clear that none other than Allah can oppose or prevent whatever benefit or harm Allah wills. Every conceivable cause of benefit or harm has something that can prevent and oppose it. Thus, every cause in existence that tends to produce an effect has something that can prevent and oppose it. Whatever is subject to this cannot be a complete cause or fully efficacious except by the will of Allah, Most High, for whatever Allah wills comes to pass. Nothing can oppose or prevent the decree of Allah, Most High. None but He can remove the hardship He sends down, and none other than He can turn back the mercy He sends down. Moreover, every cause has a counterpart that can serve in its place and as a substitute for it.