and it is he who wronged himself; just as it is he who prayed, fasted, performed Hajj, and strove in Allah’s cause. These actions are attributed to him: he is the one who makes these movements and acquires these acts brought into being. To his credit is what he has earned, and against him is what he has incurred. Allah is the Creator of all this and everything else, in accordance with His consummate wisdom, through His perfect power and His irresistible will.

The Most High says:

“So be patient. Indeed, Allah’s promise is true, and seek forgiveness for your sin.”

The servant must therefore patiently endure calamities and seek forgiveness for his faults. Allah Most High does not command indecency, does not approve of disbelief for His servants, and does not love corruption. Yet He, glorified be He, is the Creator, Lord, and Sovereign of everything. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever He leads astray, none can guide.

The servant’s will to do good or evil is real: he has a will to do either, the ability to do either, and he is the one who does either. Allah is the Creator, Lord, and Sovereign of all of this. There is no creator other than Him and no lord besides Him. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass.

Allah has affirmed “the two wills”—the Lord’s will and the servant’s will—and has explained that the servant’s will is subject to the Lord’s will, in His words:

“Indeed, this is a reminder, so whoever wills may take a path to his Lord. But you do not will unless Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

The Most High also says:

“It is only a reminder to all the worlds,”

“for whoever among you wills to follow the straight path.”

“But you do not will unless Allah, Lord of all the worlds, wills.”

The Most High has also said:

“Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you are in lofty, fortified towers. If good befalls them, they say, ‘This is from Allah.’ But if evil befalls them, they say,