the believers whom Allah treats with mercy, guides, and enables to obey Him. If, however, he says this to argue against the Lord, to exempt himself from His commands and prohibitions, and to excuse himself, this is a greater sin than the first. Such a person is among Satan’s followers, and this only makes him worse.

We have already explained that the Lord, glorified be He, is praised for who He is and for His kindness to His creation. Likewise, He deserves to be loved for who He is and for His kindness to His servants. He also deserves that His servant be content with His decree, because His judgment is just: He does nothing but what is good and just. Moreover, He decrees nothing for the believer except what is good for him:

“If prosperity comes his way, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If adversity befalls him, he is patient, and that is good for him.”

Thus, the believer is content with His decree because the Lord deserves praise and commendation for who He is, and because He is kind to the believer.

Some people raise the following question: The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah decrees nothing for the believer except what is good for him.”

Yet He has decreed that the believer commit sins that incur punishment. How, then, can that be good?

There are two answers to this. The first is that people’s deeds are not included in this hadith; it concerns only