without Allah’s command or permission—such a person is an enemy of Allah, an arrogant tyrant like Pharaoh, who exalted himself in the land and divided1 its people into factions, oppressing one group among them, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women. Indeed, he was one of the corrupters. How could such people be Allah’s deputies or vicegerents when they are His enemies and disobey Him, like Iblīs?

Although Allah is the Creator of everything, it does not follow that He loves and is pleased with everything He has created, whether beings or actions, even though it exists by His will. For He, glorified be He, created Iblīs and his followers, yet He hates them, curses them, and punishes them.

Whoever claims that he or someone else is Allah’s deputy or vicegerent, without commanding what Allah has commanded through His Messengers, has lied about Allah and behaved arrogantly in the land without right. Such claims are reported of certain ignorant, unjust kings—indeed, hypocrites and polytheists. But if he commands only what Allah has commanded, then he is correct in requiring