Saying “Allah is predominant” is correct in itself if the person means that Allah, the Most High, is predominant over His affair, that His decree is effective, that His judgment cannot be rejected, and that nothing can overpower Him. Allah, the Most High, says:
﴿And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most people do not know.﴾ [Yusuf: 21]
However, if a person says it as an excuse based on divine decree for his negligence or sin, such as neglecting an obligation or breaking a promise and then saying, “Allah is predominant,” then this is incorrect. Divine decree cannot be used as an excuse to justify sins and negligence. Rather, it is invoked in relation to calamities that have occurred without a person's choice.
A servant of Allah is commanded to obey and refrain from sin. He has ability, will, and choice, and therefore he is held accountable for his actions. It is not correct for him to say: “Allah decreed that I would sin, so I bear no blame,” because Allah, the Most High, did not command him to sin. Rather, He commanded him to obey and prohibited him from what is unlawful.
The correct guidance is: When a calamity occurs, one looks to divine decree so that the heart becomes tranquil and content; when one commits a sin, one seeks forgiveness and repents to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Be keen on what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be helpless. If something happens to you, do not say: ‘If only I had done such-and-such, it would have been such-and-such,’ but say: ‘Allah has decreed, and whatever He wills, He does.’”
Narrated by Muslim.
Accordingly: It is permissible to say “Allah is predominant” if one intends by it to affirm Allah’s dominance, power, and the execution of His command. However, it is not permissible to use it as a means of justifying sin or negligence, or as an excuse based on divine decree for doing what Allah has prohibited.
And Allah, the Most High, knows best.