to benefit or harm himself, or to bring about his own death, life, or resurrection.

Whatever calamity befalls him is because of his sins. Through these calamities, Allah Most High expiates the believers’ sins and rewards them for patiently bearing them. He forgives those who seek His forgiveness and accepts the repentance of those who repent. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“No fatigue, illness, anxiety, distress, sorrow, or harm afflicts a believer—even the prick of a thorn—without Allah expiating some of his sins through it.”

When Allah Most High revealed His words, “Whoever does evil will be recompensed for it,” Abu Bakr said, “O Messenger of Allah, this is a crushing blow! Which of us has not done evil?”

He said, “O Abu Bakr, do you not grow weary? Do you not grieve? Do you not suffer hardship? That is how you are recompensed.”

Allah has related to us in the Quran the accounts of the prophets and the harm they and their believing followers suffered for His sake. Then He granted them victory and made the final outcome theirs. He related this to us so that we might learn from it. The Most High says:

“In their stories there is certainly a lesson for people of understanding. This is not a fabricated account, but a confirmation of what came before it, an explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for people who believe.”

Thus, the divine law that every Muslim must follow, and that those in authority must uphold and wage jihad for, is the Quran and the Sunnah. As for a judge’s ruling, that is called a judicial decision; it is not the divine law that Allah has required all creation to obey. Rather, a learned and just judge is sometimes right and sometimes wrong. If a judge were to rule in someone’s favor contrary to