How do we reconcile Allah’s saying: "And it was not for a soul to believe except by permission of Allah," and "Allah guides whom He wills"?

Guidance and divine enablement (Tawfiq) are in the hands of Allah Almighty. The Muslim is required to strive for the means of guidance, and to be patient and steadfast. The servant does not know what Allah has decreed for him until it occurs. Therefore, it is not permissible to use predestination as an excuse for misguidance. Rather, one must strive on the path of guidance just as one strives to seek provision or treatment. The Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah (Sunnis) believe that a person acts by his own choice, and his will is subservient to Allah's will, and Allah's will is subservient to His wisdom. Thus, He guides whomever wills the truth and misguides whomever turns away from it. Causes are linked to their effects. Guidance and entry into Paradise are achieved through righteous deeds, and misguidance and entry into Hellfire are due to disobedience. Therefore, the Muslim must strive and act, always feeling his constant need for Allah's divine enablement.