As for “influence over created affairs,” an unbeliever, hypocrite, or evildoer may exert it upon himself or others—as occurs through corrupt spiritual states, the evil eye, and sorcery, and as with kings, tyrants placed in power, and oppressive rulers. Knowledge exclusive to the righteous is superior to knowledge shared by those who bring about good and those who spread corruption.

Third, knowledge of religion and acting upon it benefit a person in the Hereafter and do him no harm. Unveiling and influence, however, may bring him no benefit in the Hereafter; indeed, they may harm him, as Allah Most High says:

“If they had believed and feared Allah, the reward from Allah would have been better, if only they knew.”

Fourth, unveiling and influence either serve a useful purpose or they do not. If they serve no useful purpose—as when someone discovers people’s sins, rides wild beasts without any need, meets with jinn to no useful end, or walks on water when he could cross by a bridge—then they bring no benefit in this world or the Hereafter. They amount to idle amusement and play. Only someone who has not attained such things regards them as momentous.

Such things fall within the sphere of power and authority over created affairs. This is like someone who marvels at a king, at kings obeying an individual, or at the spiritual influence someone displays among people, even though it serves no useful purpose. He admires it for the power behind it, not for its benefit—such as wealth, leadership, or averting harm from an enemy or illness. Such benefits are generally attained far more often without extraordinary feats than through them. Only a little of them is attained through extraordinary feats, and they endure only through other means.