Noah, Hūd, and Sālih, the people of Lot, the inhabitants of Midian, and Pharaoh and his people. Each of these events shows that no one can invoke the divine decree as an excuse. Moreover, the punishments Allah has prescribed for those who wage war, whether disbelievers or Muslims, the execution of apostates, and the punishment of those who commit fornication or adultery, thieves, and drinkers of intoxicants all make this clear.

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It has thus become clear that Adam prevailed over Moses in argument when Moses sought to blame the one who had caused their affliction. This is what the Quran and Sunnah teach. Allah Most High says:

“No calamity befalls except by Allah’s permission. And whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart.”

He also says:

“No calamity befalls the earth or yourselves but it is in a Record before We bring it into being. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.”

This applies equally to calamities that come from heaven and those caused by human actions. Allah Most High says:

“Be patient with what they say, and withdraw from them graciously.”

“Messengers before you were indeed rejected, but they patiently endured rejection and harm until Our help came to them.”

In Sūrat al-Tūr, He says, after His words:

“So remind them, for by your Lord’s grace you are neither a soothsayer nor a madman. Or do they say, ‘A poet—we await the misfortunes of time to befall him’? Say, ‘Wait, then; I too am waiting with you.’”

—and continuing to His words—

“Or do they say, ‘He has made it up’? Rather, they do not believe.”

—and continuing to His words—

“Or do you ask them for payment, so that they are burdened with debt? Or do they possess knowledge of the unseen, which they are writing down? Be patient with your Lord’s judgment, for you are under Our Eyes