and whoever He wills to be wretched invokes Iblīs’s excuse or something similar. He is thus like someone seeking refuge from scorching ground in fire.

His likeness is that of a man into whose house a spark flies. Sensible people tell him, “Put it out before it burns down the house!” But he begins saying, “Where did it come from? The wind carried it here, and I am not to blame for this fire.” He continues offering such excuses until the fire blazes up, spreads, and burns down the house and everything in it.

Such is the condition of someone who attributes his sins to divine decree rather than counteracting them by seeking forgiveness and offering apologies. Indeed, his condition is worse, because he himself committed the sin, whereas he had no part in causing the spark.

May Allah, glorified be He, grant us, you, and all our brothers success in doing what He loves and is pleased with. For obedience to Him can only be attained through His help, and disobedience to Him can only be avoided through His protection. And Allah knows best.