and acts of disobedience, as Allah Most High says:

“Whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned.”

And He says:

“Whatever good befalls you is from Allah, and whatever evil befalls you is from yourself.”

That is, whatever prosperity, victory or guidance comes to you is a blessing Allah has bestowed upon you; and whatever sorrow, humiliation or evil befalls you is because of your sins and misdeeds. All things come to pass through Allah’s will, power and creation. The servant must therefore believe in Allah’s decree and predestination and have certainty in His law and commands.

Whoever considers the reality of divine predestination while disregarding the commands and prohibitions, the promises of reward and threats of punishment, resembles the polytheists. Whoever considers the commands and prohibitions but denies divine decree and predestination resembles the Magians. But whoever believes in both, praising Allah Most High when he does good and seeking His forgiveness when he does wrong, while knowing that this occurs by Allah’s decree and predestination, is among the believers.

When Adam—peace be upon him—sinned, he repented, and his Lord chose him and guided him. Iblīs, however, persisted and sought to justify himself, so Allah cursed him and banished him. Whoever repents follows Adam’s way, while whoever persists and invokes predestination as an excuse follows the way of Iblīs. Thus, the blessed follow their father, while the wretched follow their enemy, Iblīs.

We therefore ask Allah to guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom He has bestowed His favour: the prophets, the steadfastly truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. Amen, O Lord of all worlds.