Does God's governance of the universe mean His approval of actions before they occur, or is He the One who initiates them in the first place?

Nothing occurs in the universe without the will and creation of Allah Almighty. Everything within it has been willed and brought into existence by Him, for He is the Creator of all things, as He Almighty said: "That is Allah, your Lord, Creator of all things," and "While Allah created you and that which you do." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah is the Maker of every maker and their handiwork." This is a point upon which the Ahlus-Sunnah have agreed.