What is the difference between causes and their effects, and what is the meaning of "Allah is the Causer of Causes"?

The cause is the means to achieve what is desired, and the effect is the result obtained by employing the cause. Allah is the Causer of causes, meaning He, by His wisdom, makes them causes leading to their effects. As Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: He is the Creator of causes and effects, and He is the Self-Sufficient One who has no need of anyone else. He is the One who created all the actions of His servants.