and that Allah has knowledge of all things,”

and His words:

“Allah is the One who created seven heavens, and of the earth their like,”

and the rest of the verse. Likewise, His words:

“We sent no messenger except to be obeyed by Allah’s permission.”

He sent the messenger only to be obeyed, yet he may be obeyed or disobeyed. Likewise, He created them only for worship, yet they may worship or may not.

There are many similar passages in the Quran explaining that He did what He did so that they would magnify Him, act justly and not commit injustice, know His attributes, and fulfil the other things Allah has commanded His servants, loved for them, and approved of from them—things in which their happiness, perfection, well-being, and success lie if they do them. Yet some of them do so, while others do not.

He, glorified be He, did not say that He performed the first act so that He Himself would perform the second, or so that He would bring about the second in them. Thus, He did not state that He created them in order to make them worshippers. For when He brings about means to ends that He Himself is to accomplish, He must inevitably accomplish those ends. It is impossible for Him to do one thing in order to do a second, yet not do the second. Rather, He stated that He performed the first act so that they would perform the second. They would therefore be the ones performing it, and through their action they would attain their happiness and what He loves and approves for them. Thus, both what He loves and what they love would be attained. As explained earlier, the ultimate purpose of everything He creates and commands is beloved to Allah and His servants. It embodies wisdom on His part and mercy toward His servants.

Thus, had they done that for which He created them, it would have brought about both what He loves and what they love. But they did not do it, and so they deserved what is deserved by one who disobeys Him, opposes His command, and neglects to do that for which he was created: the punishment of