Thus the deed is attributed to Allah in terms of creation, and ascribed to the servant in terms of acquisition and performance: the one who actually does and earns it is the servant, while the Creator is Allah. Consequently, everything that comes into existence is a creation of Allah, Mighty and Majestic; yet whatever pertains to Allah’s own attributes is not created. The Quran, for instance, was revealed by Allah to Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—but it is not created.

These, then, are the four levels of belief in the Divine Decree. You must affirm them all; otherwise you have not truly believed in the Decree. The benefit of believing in the Decree is immense: when a person knows that whatever is destined must occur exactly as Allah has ordained, he finds tranquility. If hardship strikes, he is patient and says, “This is from Allah”; if prosperity comes, he is grateful and says, “This is from Allah.” It is authentically reported that the Prophet said, “How amazing is the believer’s affair! All of it is good: if something pleasing happens to him he gives thanks, and that is good for him; if something harmful befalls him he is patient, and that is good for him.”

Because the believer knows that everything takes place by Allah’s decree, he is always content and at ease. He understands that whatever reaches him is from Allah: if it is hardship, he remains patient, awaits relief from Allah, and turns to Him to remove the distress; and if it is prosperity, he gives thanks and praise, realizing that it came not through his own power or strength but solely through Allah’s grace and mercy.