by His will and power.

Yet the first sin that has positive existence is itself created. It is a punishment for a person’s failure to do what he was created for and what he ought to have done. This absence of action cannot be attributed to Allah. Nor is it a thing that would fall within the statement:

“Allah is the Creator of all things.”

Of the sins with positive existence that He brings about, the first is a punishment for this failure to act. Subsequent sins may punish the person for something that has occurred, or for persisting in that failure. As long as he does not devote his deeds sincerely to Allah, he continues to associate partners with Him, and Satan continues to have power over him.

Moreover, His singling out those whom He guides—by employing them from the outset in what they were created for, while not so employing another—is an act of His grace and mercy. Hence Allah says:

“Allah singles out for His mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the Possessor of great bounty.”

There is wisdom and mercy in this, which He knows best. Likewise, He has endowed some bodies with strengths not found in others, and the absence of such strength may give rise to actual illnesses. There are other manifestations of His wisdom as well. A proper understanding of this dispels the specious objections raised concerning this subject. And Allah knows best what is correct.