And that is because a deputy acts only in the absence of the one who appoints him, not in his presence. Allah is witness over His servants; nothing is hidden from Him, and He directs all their affairs. He therefore appoints no one to take His place in this, as one created being deputizes for another. Rather, He is the Creator of all things and directs all things. Human beings die and become absent, so others take their place. But Allah is the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all; He is never absent, so no one takes His place. Rather, He, glorified be He, takes the place of those who are absent or die, just as He takes a believer’s place in caring for his family when he travels, and takes his place when he dies. Thus, those whose needs the believer used to meet through guidance, provision, and support