“Through it Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace.”

[Surah al-Māida: 16]

And He said:

“Through it He causes many to stray and guides many.”

[Surah al-Baqara: 26]

There are many similar passages in the Quran and Sunnah in which Allah Most High states that He brings about (1) events through causes. Likewise, the Quran and Sunnah [indicate] the existence of the powers and natural properties (2) that Allah has placed in living beings and other things. Allah Most High said:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”

[Surah al-Taghābun: 16]

And He said:

“Did they not realize that Allah, Who created them, is mightier than they are in strength?”

[Surah Fussilat: 15]

And He said:

“Allah is the One Who created you in weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then gave you weakness and old age after strength. He creates whatever He wills.”

[Surah al-Rūm: 54]

The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to al-Ashajj of Abd al-Qays: “You possess two traits (3) that Allah loves: forbearance and deliberateness.” He asked, “Are these two traits that I have cultivated (4), or two traits with which I was naturally endowed?” He replied, “Rather, they are two traits with which you were naturally endowed.” He then said, “Praise be to Allah, who naturally endowed me with two traits that Allah loves.” (5) There are many similar reports, but this is not the place to discuss them at length.

They affirm that the servant possesses power (6), and they say that its effect upon what lies within its power is like the effect of