A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The difference between the agency of the Creator and the agency of the created.
The fact that both the Creator and the created share the title of "agent" (wakil) does not imply that they share the same nature in this attribute.
For Allah, glorified be He, His attributes do not resemble the attributes of the created in any way.
Among the most important differences between these two types of agency:
First, Allah’s agency over His creation is inherent to His own Essence.
It does not require any appointment or authorization from anyone.
Whereas the agency of any human being is not valid,
except through an appointment from the principal to the agent.
Second, Allah’s agency over His creation is universal in every matter.
While the agency of a created being is limited only to what the principal permits their agent to do.
Third, Allah, glorified be He, fulfills what He has taken charge of and guaranteed with complete perfection.
It is impossible for any shortcoming or flaw to affect it.
As for a created being who is appointed to a specific task or given general agency,
they may fulfill what they were appointed to do, or only a portion of it.
Even this fulfillment on their part only occurs through the help and success granted by Allah, glorified be He.
Furthermore, they may be prone to shortcomings in what they were appointed to do,
whether due to a lack of trustworthiness in that regard,
or because their circumstances fluctuate from one state to another.
At times, they may be capable of what they were appointed to do,
and at other times, incapable of it.
They may be wealthy at one time and poor at another.
They may be knowledgeable about one thing and ignorant of another.
They may be alive at one time and dead at another.
Allah, whose majesty is exalted, is far removed from any such shortcomings.