The Owner of the Two Gardens — As Allah Wills, and the End of Arrogance Toward Blessings

Quranic context: Al-Kahf 32-44

The scene: Two men: one given two gardens of grapevines surrounded by date palms, with crops and a river between — the perfection of blessing. The other poor. The garden owner entered his garden "while he was wronging himself" saying:
"I do not think this will ever perish — and I do not think the Hour is coming."

The dialogue:

• His companion said: "Do you disbelieve in Him who created you from dust?" — reminding him of his origin versus the arrogance of his present state
• "When you entered your garden, why did you not say: As Allah wills, there is no power except in Allah?" — a single phrase would have sufficed
• "If you see me as less than you in wealth and children — perhaps my Lord will give me something better than your garden"

The outcome:
"And his fruits were encompassed so he began to turn his hands about over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises — and he said: I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord."

Lesson:
"As Allah wills" is not an optimistic phrase — it is an acknowledgment that the blessing belongs to the One who gave it. Forgetting to say it is entering the garden with the arrogance of ownership. The believing advisor is richer than both gardens combined.