Destiny is Allah’s knowledge of all events, past, and future, as one single moment. In other words, events the outcome of which is unclear are all “mysteries” for us. But Allah knows all these things that we cannot. A very important secret underlies the testing that takes place in this world. Believers who possess this secret, confront everything that befalls them with great patience, joy, and enthusiasm. Allah says:
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
“No doubt! Indeed, (the) friends of Allah (there will be) no fear upon then and not they will grieve.” (Surah Yunus 10:62)
Muslims know that Allah has created all things within destiny and that what befalls them does so solely because He so wishes. It is Allah Who creates people’s lives, right down to the finest detail. Nothing can be more depressing to the spirit of a man than the feeling that he has no liberty and all his acts are controlled by a superpower. Allah says:
قُلْ أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ أَمْ جَنَّةُ الْخُلْدِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَزَاءً وَمَصِيرًا
Say, “Is that better or Garden (of) Eternity, which is promised (to) the righteous? It will be for them a reward and destination.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:15)
Therefore, the trial of human beings is one of which beginning and end are pre-ordained. The past, future and present are all one in the sight of Allah; all are already over and done with. We can only learn about them by experiencing them when the time comes. The truth is that our actions make a meaningful difference and can change the course of the decree.
Belief in destiny and fate is one of the basic beliefs of Islam:
- Destiny is faith in everything that the Prophet ﷺ taught us
- Destiny is ascribed spiritual accomplishments to Allah
- Destiny is alert to whatever may divert you from Allah
- Destiny is a way out of problems and difficulties
- Destiny is a way out of problems and difficulties
- Destiny is to distinguish truth from falsehood
- Destiny is practising towards worship of Allah
- Destiny is one of the basic beliefs of Islam
- Destiny is the long for Allah’s pleasure
- Destiny is satisfaction in all affairs
- Allah is the Most Merciful
- Allah delays what He wills
- Allah is the Maintainer of life
- Allah is the most impartial Judge
- Allah knows the result of our test
- Allah Almighty loves His creation
- Allah is that He is the All-Knowing
- Allah tests with emotional distress
- Allah knows all that is in our hearts
- Allah tests some people with poverty
- Allah’s knowledge compasses all things
- Allah lets them go and gives us many chances
- Allah is indeed a protecting friend and supporter
- A test can sometimes replace a worse misfortune
- Allah tests us to purify us and wash away our sins
A Muslim aware of the fact of destiny and who grasps this secret of the test, regards all difficulty, hunger or poverty, as positive things and takes great pleasure from them. Because he knows that the moral values he displays in the face of this test are very valuable in the sight of Allah. Allah says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ
“Verily, those who had faith and had done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is a great achievement. “ (Surah Al-Buruj 85:11)
This is a pleasure unique to believers. Everything which occurred in the past is occurring in the present, and will occur in the future in this universe was known to Allah before it came to be. Then, Allah brought it into being, all by His Will and Measure. Thus, what we decide to do with our God-given will determine the fate that Allah assigns to us.
Belief in al-qadar is based on four things:
- Belief in Allah’s will
- Belief in Allah’s Knowledge
- A belief that Allah is the Creator of everything
- Belief in the writing or recording of this knowledge
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَمْلَيْتُ لَهَا وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهَا وَإِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ
“And how many of a township I gave respite to it, while it (was) doing wrong. Then I seized it and to Me (is) the destination.” (Surah Al-Hajj 22:48)
Allah tests His servants using these and recompenses the fortitude they display much time over in this world and the next. And as a result of the trial in this world, Muslims are finally rewarded with the eternal life of the Hereafter. We cannot escape the decree from eternity; there is no way to change what has already been set in motion since the beginning of time.
A few of the Qur’anic verses to this effect are quoted:
- “Allah has set a measure for all things.” (Surah al-Talaq, 65:2)
- “Surely We created everything by measure.” (Surah al-Qamar, 54:49)
- “No nation can advance its appointed time nor can they delay it.” (Surat Al-Hijr, 5)
- “There is no creature on the earth which is not dependent upon Allah for its provision. He knows where it lives and where it dies. They are all in a Clear Book.” (Surah Hud, 6)
- “No misfortune occurs except by Allah’s permission. Whoever has iman in Allah – He will guide his heart. Allah knows all things.” (Surat At-Taghabun, 11)
- “Say, ‘Only what God has decreed will happen to us. He is our Master: let the believers put their trust in God.” (Quran, 9:51)
- “Those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then go straight will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.” (Quran, 46:13)
- “Corruption has become rife on land and sea because of the misdeeds of the people.” (Surah al-Rum, 30:41)
- “Allah never changes the condition of a nation unless it changes what is in its heart.” (Surah al-Rad, 13:11)
- “We have shown man the right path. Now it is up to him to be grateful or thankless.” (Surah al-Dahr, 76:3)
- “Allah did not do injustice to them, but they had wronged themselves.” (Surah al-Ankabut, 29:40)
As a great blessing, Allah has made trials easy for believers. But this applies to genuine believers who resign themselves to destiny. A Muslim who truly believes and who sincerely submits himself to Allah watches the constant change of images before him with excitement, thanks and gratitude. Allah says:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
“Whoever fears Allah, then Allah will make for him a way out from a place he does not expect.” (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
Muslims’ words at times of trouble also reveal to the unbelievers their fortitude and submission. The words of believers faced with difficulties are reported in the following terms in the Quran. There is no doubt that all these things are the results of their submission to the destiny created by Allah. Nobody who places his trust and faith in Allah will ever suffer any fear or distress again. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
“O you who believe, fear Allah as it is His right to be feared and do not die except while you are Muslims.” (Surah Al Imran 3:102)
Truly, when we accept the Divine Destiny we lead a more satisfying and productive life. When we don’t get what we wish or strive for, our belief in divine destiny prevents us from becoming despondent or frustrated. We accept the tragedy as a test from God and submit to His will with patience and dignity. Allah says:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا وَآثَارَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَاهُ فِي إِمَامٍ مُّبِينٍ
“Verily, it is We who bring the dead to life and record what they have put forth and what they left behind, and all things We have enumerated in a clear register.” (Surah Ya-Seen 36:12)
The belief in divine destiny is also a great source of courage. When we know that no calamity or harm can touch us without the will of God and the time of our death is prefixed, we lead a righteous and valiant life. Allah says:
قُل لَّا يَعْلَمُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الْغَيْبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ
Say, “No (one) knows whoever (is) in the heavens and the earth (of) the unseen except Allah, and not they perceive when they will be resurrected.” (Surah An-Naml 27:65)
Destiny is one of the articles of faith in Islam. It teaches Muslims to make the most out of their resources and leave the results to God. We pray to Allah SWT to guide us towards the right path and Help us become pious and righteous Muslims. Ameen.
