in a delegated matter. That matter belongs to the one delegating, not another. He appoints an agent to dispose of what the one delegating may dispose of without restriction.
Someone considering that things other than the human being were created for the human being regards everything in which he has an interest sought through his essence as his property. Since he is ignorant of his own interests, which are what bring him felicity, he fears disposing of them badly. Among what God revealed to Moses is, “Son of Adam, I created things for your sake and created you for My sake.”
He therefore says, “Since He created things for my sake, He created only what benefits me. I am ignorant of the benefit whose use brings my deliverance and felicity. Let us appoint Him agent in my affairs, for He knows better what benefits me. As He created them, He has greater claim to dispose of them. This is what my consideration and intellect require, without any divine command accompanying it.”
How much more when the divine command has come! He says, “There is no god but He, so take Him as agent” [al-Muzzammil 73:9]. Through this command He indicates that agency befits only one who is God, since He knows interests, being their Creator, as He says, “Does the One who created not know, when He is the Subtle, the Aware?” [al-Mulk 67:14].
The learned believer takes Him as agent, surrenders his affairs to Him, and places their reins in His hand, as is actually the case. He adds nothing to how the matter is within existence, yet God praises him for this, although he has affected nothing within the kingdom. This is the utmost generosity: praise for an effect addressed to one who produces no effect. All is from Him and to Him. This is the first observer’s share.
(The Human Being’s Vicegerency and the Limits of Disposal)
Notes
Translator’s note TN4111-1: This is the first observer’s account of agency, beginning from things created for human benefit. The second observer and the subsequent synthesis continue on the following page; the first account is not silently treated as the sole conclusion.
