The obligation of believing in destiny, both its good and bad aspects (2)

The obligation of believing in destiny, both its good and bad aspects (2)

We believe that everything the servants do, whether in words, deeds, or omissions, is known to Allah, recorded by Him, and that Allah has willed and created it.

Allah said:

[التكوير: 28، 29] (لِمَنْ شَاءَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَسْتَقِيمَ * وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ)

[to whoever of you wills to take the Straight Way, But you cannot will ˹to do so˺, except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of all worlds.] 81-28-29.

[البقرة: 253] (وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلُوا وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ)

[Yet if Allah had willed, they would not have fought one another. But Allah does what He wills.] 2:253

[الصافات: 96] (وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ)

[when it is Allah Who created you and whatever you do?] 37:96

Nevertheless, we believe that Allah has granted the servant the power of choice and actions are a result of their own will.

Allah said:

[البقرة: 223] (فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّى شِئْتُمْ)

[so approach them ˹consensually˺ as you please] 2:223

[التوبة: 46] (وَلَوْ أَرَادُوا الْخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّوا لَهُ عُدَّةً)

[Had they ˹really˺ intended to march forth, they would have made preparations for it.] 9:46

[المدثر: 37] (لِمَنْ شَاءَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ أَوْ يَتَأَخَّرَ)

[to whichever of you chooses to take the lead or lag behind.] 74:37

Allah, the Exalted, directs commands and prohibitions to the servant, indicating that the servant has capability, choice, and free will.

Our Lord is praised for His goodness, and the wrongdoer is blamed for his wrongdoing. If actions did not occur by the will and choice of the servant, without compulsion, praising the benefactor would be in vain, and punishing the wrongdoer would be unjust. Allah, the Exalted, is far above any notion of arbitrariness and injustice.

So, thanks to Allah, there is no contradiction between what Allah has ordained and created, and the actions of the servant and their will.

The lesson continues, and success is with Allah.

The twenty-ninth lesson concludes with praise to Allah.