How do we respond to the one who says: How am I punished for sins that are decreed upon me?

The questioner : Or we turn to the one who commits sins, and he says: Why do you punish him for them, since they are decreed upon him, and it is written for him to commit these sins?

The Shaykh : Yes, have you gotten married?

The questioner : Huh? With me? If Allah wills.

The Shaykh : Have you gotten married or not? I am asking you.

The questioner : Yes, that is fine.

The Shaykh : I see that you should not pursue marriage. I see that you should not pursue marriage if a cow is written for you. Divine decree and destiny are a hidden matter with Allah that is not known. So, does the one who commits a sin commit it when he commits it while knowing that Allah has written it for him? I am asking you.

The questioner : It may be so, yes.

The Shaykh : It is not a certainty that it is so, it does not mean that.

The questioner : Praise be to Allah.

The Shaykh : A certainty, because we say: Why did you commit it while you were protected from it?