Dr. Salah Sultan, President of the American Center for Islamic Research, Columbus, Ohio, and Member of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states: We are commanded by Almighty Allah to take the means and do our part before expecting specific results to happen. To give an example, when you guide someone to Islam, that is using the means, but his or her guidance to Islam (conversion) is not in your hands as this is the result which is exclusive to Almighty Allah. That is why Almighty Allah says to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): [It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one whom thou lovest; but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance.] (Al-Qasas 28:56) So there is a difference between the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) (here understood as ‘the means’) and the guidance of Almighty Allah (here understood as ‘the result’).

Therefore, when you ask someone to help you with your homework or a doctor to treat your child, these are means that you ought to use. However, even when you go to the doctor seeking treatment, you still need to believe that Almighty Allah is the Healer and that your child will only be cured if He wills.
Imam Hasan al-Banna indicated that Muslims have misunderstood the relationship between Allah’s fate and utilizing the means. They fail to make use of the means, and when the fate they expect does not occur, they say ‘this is fate’. He further explains that this is a reversed faith. Almighty Allah asked us to utilize the means and then accept the fate and the result from Him.
thanking people is one of the good manners in human relations. There is no such thing as only thanking Almighty Allah and not the people, because thankfulness is different from praise which is due to Allah Almighty alone. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), said: “The one that does not thank people, does not thank Allah.” (At-Tirmidhi)
He also said: “If someone does you any favor, reward him; otherwise, pray for him.” (Riyad-us-saleeh)
therefore, when we thank people, we appreciate their favors and goodwill, but when we praise Almighty Allah, we glorify and thank Him for the countless blessings and bounties He has bestowed on us.