And if he says:

“I excuse on the grounds of divine decree someone who witnesses it and knows that Allah creates his actions and moves him to act—not someone who does not witness this or who denies it.”

He is told:

“Then we ask you: are not this person’s witnessing and that person’s denial themselves part of divine decree? Does divine decree not encompass both? If this warrants distinguishing between them, even though divine decree encompasses them both, then you have deemed some people praiseworthy and others blameworthy despite divine decree encompassing both. This is a return to making distinctions and holding fast to commands and prohibitions. You have thus overturned your own principle and contradicted yourself. The same consequence follows for everyone who joins you in adopting it.”

Moreover, quite apart from this principle’s unsoundness and inconsistency, it is a false doctrine and a misleading religious innovation. Who has made belief in divine decree and witnessing it an excuse for neglecting obligations and committing forbidden acts?

Rather, belief in divine decree is one good deed among others, and this good deed cannot cancel out all sins. If someone associated partners with Allah and denied His Messenger, considering that this had been decreed for him, that would neither secure forgiveness for his denial nor prevent his punishment. For Allah does not forgive the association of partners with Him, whether the person doing so affirms divine decree and considers it, denies it, or is heedless of it. Iblīs said:

“Because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all.”

He persisted and invoked divine decree as an excuse, thereby increasing his disbelief and bringing greater punishment upon himself.

Adam, peace be upon him, however, said:

“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”

Allah Most High said:

“Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He