toward evil deeds, as an act of justice from Allah. As the saying goes: “If you do not occupy your soul with truth, it will occupy you with falsehood.” Properly understood, this distinction cuts off the arguments of both Qadarī factions: those who deny divine decree and those who affirm compulsion.

To those who say, “He created them for that purpose, and punishing them is unjust,” the answer is: He only caused them to fall into those sins and sealed their hearts as a punishment. He did not wrong them; rather, they wronged themselves. To wrong someone means to deprive him of his due. Allah Most High says:

“Each of the two gardens yielded its fruit and fell short in nothing.”

Many of them concede that Allah creates deeds as recompense for earlier deeds. They say: “He creates the obedience of the obedient, but He does not create any sins in the first instance; rather, He creates them as recompense.” Thus they say: “The servant’s first act was not brought about by Allah.”

What we have explained, however, entails that Allah is the Creator of everything. Yet the first of these sins is a punishment for the servant’s failure to do what he was created for, and this absence is not ascribed to Allah. Thus, the first sin He brings about is a punishment for this absence. Subsequent sins may be punishment for something that has actually occurred, or punishment for persisting in that absence. As long as a person does not devote himself sincerely to Allah, he continues to associate partners with Him, and Satan is given mastery over him.

Then, when He, glorified be He, singles out someone for guidance by enabling him from the outset to do what he was created for, He does so out of His bounty. This entails no injustice and does not preclude justice. Hence Allah Most High says:

“Allah singles out for His mercy whom He wills.”

Likewise, He knows best concerning His bounty, just as He has singled out certain bodies