Whoever invokes divine decree to justify sins has no valid argument, and whoever offers it as an excuse has no acceptable excuse. Rather, such people are astray. As one scholar said of them:

“When obeying Allah, you are a Qadarī (proponent of free will); when sinning, you are a Jabrī (proponent of compulsion). You adopt whichever doctrine suits your desires.”

For when someone wrongs these people—or even merely does something they dislike, although it may be right—they do not excuse him on account of divine decree. Instead, they retaliate, whether justly or unjustly. If divine decree is a valid argument for them, it is equally valid for the others; and if it is not valid for the others, neither is it valid for them. Each of them invokes divine decree only when following his desires and disobeying his Lord, not when people harm or wrong him.

The believer, however, does the opposite: when people harm him, he considers divine decree, remains patient, and seeks Allah’s reward. When he himself does wrong, he repents and seeks forgiveness. As the Most High says:

“So be patient; indeed, Allah’s promise is true. And seek forgiveness for your sin.”

Thus, the believer patiently endures calamities and seeks forgiveness for his sins and faults. The hypocrite does the opposite: he does not seek forgiveness for his sin, but instead invokes divine decree, nor does he patiently endure what befalls him. Thus he is miserable in this world and the Hereafter, whereas the believer is happy in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah—glorified be He—knows best.