Accordingly, the verse is meant to negate any notion of equality. The phrase “Hal lakum” (“Do you have…”) is an interrogative used for negation: “Do you have, among those whom your right hands possess, any partners in what We have provided you, so that you are equal therein?” The implied answer is, of course, “No”; therefore, the purpose is to deny equality.

In any case, I advise you: whenever you hear someone make that claim, say to him, “No, Islam is not the religion of equality; it is the religion of justice—granting every individual what he deserves.”

As for the other formula, “I do not ask You to reverse the decree…,” it is idle speech. Who can repel the divine decree? Yet part of Allah’s decree is that He may remove illness from you or lift ignorance from you. We ask Allah to grant us understanding (fiqh) of our religion and not to make us blind followers who merely echo what people say without knowing what we are saying. Allah is the One who grants success.

Allah the Exalted also says: “O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful punishment? Believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the path of Allah with your wealth and your lives; that is better for you, if only you knew. He will forgive your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; that is the supreme triumph. And He will grant you another favor that you love: help from Allah and a near victory. Give glad tidings to the believers.” (Qur’an 61:10–13)

The verses on this topic are many and well known.