His servants to do what He wills.” Similarly, it is reported that the Commander of the Faithful, ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib, said in a transmitted supplication:

“O Allah, Spreader of all that is spread out, Creator of all that is raised aloft, Compeller of hearts according to their innate nature, the wretched and the blessed alike.”

Compulsion by Allah, understood in this sense, means mastery and power: He is able to do whatever He wills, compelling them to it and subduing them to it. He is not like a powerless created being who wills things that do not happen, while things happen that he does not will. His compulsion, mastery, and power include making His servants will what He wishes of them—whether they choose it willingly or will it despite disliking it—and making them carry it out.

This compulsion, which is His subduing through His power, is something none but He can exercise. It differs from the compulsion and coercion exercised by others in several respects.

One is that those besides Him lack the power to make His servants will what they want them to do or carry it out.

Another is that someone other than Him may compel and coerce another unjustly, whereas Allah Most High is just and does not wrong anyone by even an atom’s weight.

Another is that someone other than Him may be ignorant or foolish, not knowing what he does or what he is compelled to do, nor aiming at any wise purpose beyond that. Allah, however, is All-Knowing, All-Wise. In everything He has created and commanded, He has a profound wisdom arising from His knowledge, wisdom, and power.