This is the same as saying, ‘I have used the means, and the result is in the Hands of Allaah!’ This is correct, as it is upon the Muslim to use the means that he has been ordered to use. As for the outcomes, then he has no control over this, rather it is in the hands of Allaah. So a man that is from the group that enjoin good and forbid evil, when he orders and forbids people from evil he must forbid evil and change it according to his ability. Either with his hands, if he is able, or with his tongue, otherwise with his heart. He must use the means, and whether the person committing the evil stops what he is doing, is in the Hands of Allaah. Likewise, the person who calls to Allaah strives his best to guide the creation, and as for them responding to his call then this is in the Hands of Allaah. Allaah said to His Prophet ﷺ,
(إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ)
“Indeed, you do not guide those that you love, but it is Allaah who guides whom He wills.”
(Al-Qassass 56)
A person therefore exerts effort using the means at his disposal. As for the effects of that effort, then that is in Allaah’s Hands. That is what is meant by the statement, ‘I have done my duty; the rest is upon Allaah!’ This does not mean that he is independent from needing Allaah’s help, because it is Allaah that has made the means accessible to him, with which he made the effort, and it is Him that grants success, as everything is in His Hands.