What is the wisdom behind the disbelievers and immodestly dressed women – who rely on worldly means and do not put their trust in Allah – excelling in academics and life, while Muslims who adhere to [religious] means and reliance [on Allah] do not achieve the same level of excellence?

There is no impediment to a disbeliever, especially among the People of the Book, engaging in reliance (tawakkul), as some acts of worship, such as supplication during hardship, may originate from them. A disbeliever's superiority over a Muslim in studies might be attributed to the Muslim's failure to utilize the means despite their reliance, or to a greater intelligence and acumen bestowed by God upon the disbeliever as a test. It could also be a gradual enticement (istidraj) from God, or because the disbeliever excelled in utilizing the means of success and perseverance, while the Muslim did not.