Destiny-A matter of Faith in Allah.

 

DESTINY

Translated Excerpt from an Urdu lecture by Sheikh Siraj Munir, (Makkah).

While explaining and pondering over the greatest verse of the Noble Quran, Ayat Al Kursi, Sheikh hafizahullah reaches the following verse and continues: 

 وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَۚ, يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ  وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ

 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.

 I usually talk about destiny, at this point.

1. The knowledge of Allah is perfect.

1. He himself says that I do not wrong anyone. As mentioned in the Qur'an and hadiths in many places.

There is a hadith Qudsi:

 عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ الْغِفَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنْ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِيمَا يَرْوِيهِ عَنْ رَبِّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: "يَا عِبَادِي: إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوا. يَا عِبَادِي:۔۔۔۔۔ يَا عِبَادِي: إِنَّمَا هِيَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ أُحْصِيهَا لَكُمْ، ثُمَّ أُوَفِّيكُمْ إِيَّاهَا، فَمَنْ وَجَدَ خَيْرًا فَلْيَحْمَدْ اللَّهَ، وَمَنْ وَجَدَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَلَا يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ". رواہ مسلم

 O My servants! I have forbidden Zulm (oppression) for Myself, and I have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, …

O My servants, it is but your deeds that I account for you, and then recompense you for. So, he who finds good, let him praise Allah, and he who finds other than that, let him blame none except himself.

Hadith 24 An Nawawi.

 3. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

When we reflect on the perfect attributes of Allah—His love and mercy, His wisdom, and His flawless justice and fairness—we should examine our faith, thoughts, words, and actions, especially in regard to destiny (Qadr).

 Often, people show dissatisfaction with Allah's Qadr through their behavior, and sometimes even through direct expressions of discontent. But when we question or object to Allah's decree, we are, in essence, questioning His justice. If we feel deprived of something we believe we deserved, or ask why a certain hardship befell us, it’s as if we're accusing Allah of unfairness. Yet the blessings we do receive are given without us having earned or deserved them. Every blessing calls for our gratitude.

 Ibn al-Qayyim, rahimahullah, beautifully explained that gratitude itself is a blessing. If Allah has granted someone the ability to express thanks, that ability is also a gift for which thanks are due. Being thankful for the gift of gratitude, and then continuing to express gratitude again and again, creates a never-ending cycle of thankfulness to Allah. Even if one praised Allah with every breath, they could never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to Him.

 A person should keep in mind Allah’s complete knowledge, His perfect patience, wisdom, mercy, and absolute justice when thinking about destiny. Even if we can’t perceive the wisdom behind certain events, we must trust that Allah’s decree is never without purpose or good. Sometimes the benefit is clear immediately; other times it becomes apparent with time. There are also cases where the wisdom remains hidden. Nonetheless, the duty of a believer is to have faith in the unseen.

 الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ

          Those who believe in the unseen.  

 

A person should reflect and think: “Whatever has happened to me is because of my own shortcomings.” If he cannot understand something, he should entrust the matter to Allah and say, “O Allah, I believe in Your decree. I accept what You have chosen for me, so guide me, correct me, and show me the straight path.”

 Objecting to destiny is, in reality, objecting to Allah’s divine knowledge and His other magnificent attributes.

 There is a profound saying from the time of the Salaf (the pious predecessors):

 “Destiny is the thread that holds together the necklace of faith.” 

If the thread breaks, the pearls scatter. Likewise, when one objects to destiny, it leads to the other deeds of faith falling apart.

 Such an objection reveals a lack of true understanding of Allah’s nature. It indicates that love, fear, and hope in Allah have not truly taken root in the heart. These internal states or actions of the heart are central to belief, and when they are missing, faith becomes weak.

 True love means seeing everything associated with the beloved in a positive light. If this is how we treat human relationships, then how much more so should it apply to Allah—who is above all. No love should exceed our love for Allah. His love must come first, followed by love for the Prophet ﷺ.

 The love of Allah   is interpreted in the Qur'an as follows:

 

 قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎﴿٣١﴾Al e Imran 31

 Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."

  Following the Prophet ﷺ is, in essence, an expression of love for Allah. It’s natural to listen to and obey the one you truly love. That’s why Allah commands us to follow the Prophet ﷺ. He was sent as a guide, and by emulating his example, we earn Allah’s love. This is one of the most powerful ways to attain His affection.

 Allah's knowledge is perfect and complete. He knows the exact amount of knowledge I will acquire, the efforts I will make after gaining it, the position I’ll attain, how I’ll be recognized, and how many students I’ll teach—all of this is already known to Him. If I begin to feel that I deserved more fame or a higher status, such thoughts harm the sincerity of my intentions. Thinking “I should have had more” implies that I believe I was entitled to something and that Allah withheld it. Is this not the attitude of Shaytan? He objected to Allah’s command, saying, “I am made of fire; why should I bow to Adam who is made of clay?”—he felt he deserved better, and that the opposite should have happened.

 So whenever someone says, “I should have more than what I have,” they are, knowingly or unknowingly, blaming Allah for denying them what they perceive as their due. This mindset often appears in discussions about wealth, career, or social status. But the truth is, whatever is destined for us will not miss us, and whatever is not written for us will never reach us.

 The famous narration of 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas is:

 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: "كُنْت خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺيَوْمًا، فَقَالَ: يَا غُلَامِ! إنِّي أُعَلِّمُك كَلِمَاتٍ: احْفَظْ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْك، احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَك، إذَا سَأَلْت فَاسْأَلْ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْت فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاَللَّهِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوْ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوك بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوك إلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَك، وَإِنْ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوك بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوك إلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْك؛ رُفِعَتْ الْأَقْلَامُ، وَجَفَّتْ الصُّحُفُ" . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ [رقم:2516]

"I was behind the Prophet (ﷺ) one day when he said: 'O boy! I will teach you a statement: Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask Allah, and when you seek aid, seek Allah's aid. Know that if the entire creation were to gather together to do something to benefit you- you would never get any benefit except that Allah had written for you. And if they were to gather to do something to harm you- you would never be harmed except that Allah had written for you. The pens are lifted and the pages are dried.'"

 We must pause and reflect, reevaluate ourselves sincerely, so that we may reform and grow spiritually. During our daily conversations—often shaped by careless remarks and misconceptions widespread in society—we may utter words that, without realizing, amount to objections to destiny (Qadr). In truth, they are objections to the will of Allah.

 It is vital to review our thoughts and speech, correct our inner selves, and then seek to improve the society around us. Because when destiny is understood in the light of Allah’s perfect knowledge and His flawless attributes, we begin to see that many societal issues stem from misunderstandings about Qadr.

 Take, for instance, everyday examples. When a daughter-in-law joins the household, she consumes her own sustenance—whether it comes through her husband or another source. Similarly, every child born brings along their own provision. Allah assigns their sustenance, even though it may reach them through someone else, such as a father or relative. Each person consumes what has been divinely allotted to them; no one eats what belongs to another.

 This is why the Qur’an clearly states:

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا ‎

 And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.

 Let us consider further examples. A person may help a relative financially, and later feels resentment and even complains. Yet, that act was written as sustenance for the recipient—you were simply chosen as the means through which Allah granted it to them. You were given the chance to do good, but if resentment emerges and someone says, “You took what was mine,” they fail to see that their share was limited to what was divinely destined. In the sustenance or provision provided to you there was someone else's portion, which was meant to reach them through you.

 Similarly, when someone marries again with sincere intentions, tension may arise. The second wife may wish to remove the first, or vice versa. But the Prophet ﷺ clearly warned against this:

 Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"It is not permissible for a woman to ask for the divorce of her sister so that she may take her place. She will receive what is destined for her."

 This means no one should seek another’s downfall for fear of provision—each soul will receive exactly what has been written for it.

 In countless situations, we hear complaints: “I didn’t get the job,” “My business failed,” “If I had chosen another path…” People wonder why life did not unfold better, despite their education or effort. But do qualifications guarantee sustenance? Many with minimal education earn honorably, abundantly, and in halal ways. Others, despite scholarly or religious credentials, may earn haram income, suffer in business, or struggle financially. All this falls under Allah’s divine distribution. He tests each person uniquely, in ways beyond human understanding.

That is why it is essential to continually examine ourselves—are we unknowingly objecting to Allah’s decree?

 Ibn al-Qayyim, rahimaullah, wrote in Zaad al-Ma'ad, reflecting on the Battle of Uhud:

“If most people searched deeply within their hearts, they would discover objections to Allah’s Qadr.”

O you who believe...(Part-3)

 

O you who believe...

The phrase "O you who have believed" (Arabic: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا) appears frequently throughout the Noble Quran as a direct address to Muslims, often introducing commands, prohibitions, or moral guidance.

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts. Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur'an] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram. Indeed, Allah ordains what He intends. 5:1

O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. 5:2 

O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful. 5:6

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. 5:8

O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when a people determined to extend their hands [in aggression] against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and fear Allah. And upon Allah let the believers rely.5:11

O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed. 5:35

O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people. 5:51

O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. 5:54

O you who have believed, take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allah, if you should [truly] be believers. 5:57

O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. 5:87

O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. 5:90

O you who have believed, Allah will surely test you through something of the game that your hands and spears [can] reach, that Allah may make evident those who fear Him unseen. And whoever transgresses after that - for him is a painful punishment. 5:94

O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of ihram. And whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed, as judged by two just men among you as an offering [to Allah ] delivered to the Ka'bah, or an expiation: the feeding of needy people or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his deed. Allah has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns [to violation], then Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution. 5:95

O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are shown to you, will distress you. But if you ask about them while the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be shown to you. Allah has pardoned that which is past; and Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing. 5:101

O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided. To Allah is you return all together; then He will inform you of what you used to do. 5:105

O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], "We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah . Indeed, we would then be of the sinful." 5:106

O You Who Believe...(Part 2)

 

O you who believe...

O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good. 4:19

O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful. 4:29

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving. 4:43

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result. 4:59

O you who have believed, take your precaution and [either] go forth in companies or go forth all together. 4:71

O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allah, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allah are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allah conferred His favor upon you, so investigate. Indeed, Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. 4:94

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah , even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. 4:135

O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah , His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray. 4:136

O you who have believed, do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you wish to give Allah against yourselves a clear case? 4:144

O you who have believed...(Part-1)

 

 O you who have believed

Let us have a look at all the signs in the Noble Quran where Allah, the Almighty addresses the Believers directly. It is important to know what Allah, the Almighty says to those who profess their belief and Faith in Him. As believers in the One True God, Allah, we must have a closer look at all the commands that have been given by our Merciful Lord addressing us directly:

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. 2:153

O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. 2:172

O you who believe! Al-Qisas (the Law of ... in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder: 2:178

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -2:183

O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. 2:208

O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers - they are the wrongdoers. 2:254

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.2:264

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. 2:267

O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. 2:278

O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah , his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allah . And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things. 2:282

O you who have believed, if you obey a party of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back, after your belief, [to being] unbelievers. 3:100

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]. 3:102

O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason. 3:118

O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. 3:130

O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers. 3:149

O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allah makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allah who gives life and causes death, and Allah is Seeing of what you do.3:156

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful. 3:200