fate/destiny vs free choice

[logic]

Assalamu Aleikum brothers and sisters,

My thoughts are scrambled on this matter, so forgive me any injustice caused.
What is destiny/fate and what role does it play in Islam?

When a Muslim has been denied something they crave (like, sight for example, assume the person is blind), how does one know if it is their destiny to live without it (no matter how sincere duas are made and who [shaiks/imaams] they're made by) or if intense dua and lifestyle change can alter the "problem".

In this case, being granted what I don't have requires what doctors would say is a miracle.
Should I keep praying for it? How do I know if it is my "destiny" to live life without it. Will decisions I make alter my "destiny"? or does destiny encompass all possible outcomes? How many outcomes are there? why has this been taken away from me? and will I get it back? or if I never had it, will it be granted to me?

Again, apologies for any injustices caused,

Asalaam

[learningislam]

Regarding your question about destiny and free will, checkout the links below.
Is man’s fate pre-destined or does he have freedom of will?
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/20806

Could you explain to me the Islamic view of the Divine Will and Decree (al-qada’ wa’l-qadar)? What should I believe with regard to this topic?.
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/49004

What is the benefit of praying istikhaarah when things are already decreed?

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/112094

Hope that answers your queries. If not, please ask.

[absuk]

Regarding your question about destiny and free will, checkout the links below.
Is man’s fate pre-destined or does he have freedom of will?
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/20806

Could you explain to me the Islamic view of the Divine Will and Decree (al-qada’ wa’l-qadar)? What should I believe with regard to this topic?.
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/49004

What is the benefit of praying istikhaarah when things are already decreed?

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/112094

Hope that answers your queries. If not, please ask.

I have just read through the links above, but still remain confused. The Sheikh comments:

"What is meant by al-qadar is that Allaah has decreed all things from eternity and knows that they will happen at times that are known to Him, and in specific ways, and that He has written that and willed it, and they happen according to what He has decreed. [al-Qada’ wa’l-Qadar by Dr ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Mahmoud, p. 39]. "

So Allah created me, Knowing exactly how my life will turn out, what I will do, when I will do it. Allah is also most Compassionate, and Merciful.

I am struggling to understand the concept of being judged in the hereafter for fulfilling the Wish, and predestination that Allah had written for me.

Before I was born, it was written that I would lead a pious and obedient life. My reward for that being written, is a life of eternity in Heaven.

Alternatively -

Unfortunately, it was written for me before I was born, to lead a sinful and disobedient life. Allah Guides whomsover He wishes, and denies Guidance to whomsover He wishes. I was denied guidance, and it was written before I was born. Why then would the most Merciful and Compassionate Creator punish me for all of eternity?


Please please please accept this as a sincere question from a Muslim with a very fragile Imaan, who is striving to resolve his doubts. I do not mean to insult anyone by asking this question, nor do I want to be insulted. If anyone could help me, I will be very grateful. I would also appreciate a reasoned response, and not just a suggestion to pray and reject the whisperings of Shai'tan.

[Tornado]

I do not mean to insult anyone by asking this question, nor do I want to be insulted. If anyone could help me, I will be very grateful.

Don't fret. This is a very good question. If you get an answer, you'd be that'd much closer to your religion.

I hope you get a satisfying answer.

[أبو سليمان عمر]

well akhi i can try to explain but here i found this mashallah great explanation
inshallah it will answer you Question
Allah Knows everything that will happen. The first thing that He created was the "pen" and He ordered the pen to write. The pen wrote until it had written everything that would happen. And then Allah began to create the universe. All of this was already known to Him before He created it. He does have absolute and total control at all times. There is nothing that happens except that He is in control of if.
There is a mistake in the question: "Free Will." Allah alone, has Free Will, He Wills whatever He likes and it will always happen as He wills. We have something called, "Free choice." The difference is that what Allah "Wills" always happens and what we choose may or may not happen. We are not being judged on the outcome of things, we are being judged on our choices. This means that at the core of everything will always be our intentions. Whatever we intended, is what we will have the reward for. Each person will be judged according to what Allah gave them to work with, how they used it and what they intended to do with it.

As regards the actual "Judgment Day" - Allah tells us that everything we are doing is being recorded and not a single tiny thing escapes from this record. Even an atom's weight of good will be seen on the Day of Judgment and even a single atom's weight of evil will be seen too.

The one who will bring the evidences against us will be ourselves. Our ears, tongue, eyes and all of our bodies will begin to testify against us in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment. None will be oppressed on that Day, none will be falsely accused.

He could have put everyone in their respective places from the very beginning, but the people would complain as to why they were thrown in Hell without being given a chance. This life is exactly that; a chance to prove to ourselves who we really are and what we would really do if we indeed had a free choice.

Allah Knows everything that will happen, but we don't. That is why the test is fair.
http://www.islamtomorrow.com/articles/God_proof.html

[absuk]

Don't fret. This is a very good question. If you get an answer, you'd be that'd much closer to your religion.

I hope you get a satisfying answer.

Thank you very much Tornado, I really appreciate the encouragement!

[absuk]

well akhi i can try to explain but here i found this mashallah great explanation
inshallah it will answer you Question
Allah Knows everything that will happen. The first thing that He created was the "pen" and He ordered the pen to write. The pen wrote until it had written everything that would happen. And then Allah began to create the universe. All of this was already known to Him before He created it. He does have absolute and total control at all times. There is nothing that happens except that He is in control of if.
There is a mistake in the question: "Free Will." Allah alone, has Free Will, He Wills whatever He likes and it will always happen as He wills. We have something called, "Free choice." The difference is that what Allah "Wills" always happens and what we choose may or may not happen.
http://www.islamtomorrow.com/articles/God_proof.html

Umar, and thank you for such a speedy reply!

I am afraid it stil does not make sense to me. In particular I am struggling with the difference between Allah's Will, and my Free Choice. Is this an opinion, or is this a direct quote from the Quran or authntic hadith?

Alternatively, can you simplify it for me, to help make it easier for me to understand? I appreciate your time on this.

Wassalam

[أبو سليمان عمر]

Akhi it is rather simple everything Allah wills will happen and what we choice may or may not happen if Allah wills it not to happen not matter what u choice it wont happen and if he wills it to mappen no matter what it will happen you are judge by what you choice to do with what Allah has willed for u

[- Qatada -]

Allah knows His creation, He knows the past, present and future. That's His perfection. We believe in this.


So we sometimes get the question - what's the point of our creation if God already knows what's going to happen to us?

We simply say that God knows, but He also sent us the Criterion between wrong and right, truth and falsehood, and He ordered us to believe and do good - He informed us of the consequences of doing bad. We don't know whether we are successful in the next life (even though Allah does know) - that's why we have to strive to do the good in order to recieve the good (i.e. reward and pleasure of Allah.) If we don't believe and do good, then we have been warned of its consequences (i.e. the punishments etc.)


We believe in all the guidance sent by Allah, so since He informs us that He knows the future, and that we need to believe in this to be successful - we accept that. Since He informs us that we have to be obedient to be successful - we accept that. If we believe and obey, That's what makes us successful, in this life and the next.


http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/a...lanation-1165/


So there isn't total compulsion (i.e. you can decide right now if you want to do something forbidden or something rewardable), nor total freedom of will (i.e.you can't decide where you'll be born or how you originally looked like). But something in between.


Also read Surah Layl [92].

[absuk]

Allah knows His creation, He knows the past, present and future. That's His perfection. We believe in this.


So we sometimes get the question - what's the point of our creation if God already knows what's going to happen to us?

We simply say that God knows, but He also sent us the Criterion between wrong and right, truth and falsehood, and He ordered us to believe and do good - He informed us of the consequences of doing bad. We don't know whether we are successful in the next life (even though Allah does know) - that's why we have to strive to do the good in order to recieve the good (i.e. reward and pleasure of Allah.) If we don't believe and do good, then we have been warned of its consequences (i.e. the punishments etc.)


We believe in all the guidance sent by Allah, so since He informs us that He knows the future, and that we need to believe in this to be successful - we accept that. Since He informs us that we have to be obedient to be successful - we accept that. If we believe and obey, That's what makes us successful, in this life and the next.


http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/a...lanation-1165/


So there isn't total compulsion (i.e. you can decide right now if you want to do something forbidden or something rewardable), nor total freedom of will (i.e.you can't decide where you'll be born or how you originally looked like). But something in between.


Also read Surah Layl [92].

Thank you Qatada for the clarification. To make sure I understand you correctly:

Allah knows exactly what I will do, when I will sin, how I will sin.

I have to believe in fate and predestination in order to be obedient and successful in the hereafter.

So I strive to be obedient. However, despite my attempts, I comitt sins - which Allah has already written for me to comitt. Why then punish me for eternity? That is the bit I don't understand.

[GreyKode]

So there isn't total compulsion (i.e. you can decide right now if you want to do something forbidden or something rewardable), nor total freedom of will (i.e.you can't decide where you'll be born or how you originally looked like). But something in between.

Exactly!. So basically certain things you didn't choose or you can't choose(like the way you look, your family wealthy or poor) impact to a great extent the way you live and your choices in this life, this is a type of predestination.

[أبو سليمان عمر]

This does not mean that a person has no will in this world, or that a person should not strive to apply the means of attaining happiness and soundness. Allaah has created a means to reach every objective. Whoever wants to have a child has to get married. Whoever wants to be happy in the Hereafter has to strive hard for it, and follow the path of guidance. Whoever wants wealth has to work hard.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Know that everyone will be guided to do that for which he was created. Whoever is meant to be one of the people of happiness will be guided to do the deeds of the people of happiness, and whoever is meant to be one of the people of doom will be guided to do the deeds of the people of doom.” Agreed upon.

Allaah does not tell anyone the details of what will happen to him, good or bad. Hence everyone has to strive to bring goodness to himself and ward off harm from himself. It is not wise to travel a path that leads to the opposite of what he wants and then say, “I will never get anything but that which has been decreed for me.” No one should sit in his house and then say: “I will never get any provision but that which has been decreed for me.” No one should eat rotten food and then say: “Nothing will happen to me but that which Allaah has decreed for me.” These are things which if anyone does them or says them, he would be regarded as insane and he is indeed insane.
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/83424

[أبو سليمان عمر]

Some sinners and some who fall short (in religious commitment) make excuses for their shortcomings and sins by saying that Allaah is the One Who has decreed this for them, so they should not be blamed for it.

What they say is not correct under any circumstances. There can be no doubt that belief in al-qadar is no excuse for failing to do obligatory duties or committing sins, according to the consensus of the Muslims and all those who are wise.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “No one has the right to make excuses for sin by referring to al-qadar, according to the consensus of the Muslims and the followers of other religions, and all those who are wise. If this were acceptable, then anyone could do whatever crosses his mind of murder, seizing people’s wealth and any kind of spreading mischief in the land, and quote al-qadar as his excuse. If a person who quotes al-qadar as an excuse were attacked by another person who also quoted al-qadar as an excuse for that, he would not accept that, and thus he would contradict himself, which in itself is proof that that this logic is false. So using al-qadar as an excuse is cleared flawed, as is obvious to anyone who has any common sense. Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 8/179.

Both the texts of sharee’ah and common sense indicate that it is invalid to give al-qadar as an excuse for committing sin or not doing obligatory actions.
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/49039

[أبو سليمان عمر]

here and read this
http://www.islamtoday.com/show_detai...main_cat_id=18

[- Qatada -]

Thank you Qatada for the clarification. To make sure I understand you correctly:

Allah knows exactly what I will do, when I will sin, how I will sin.

I have to believe in fate and predestination in order to be obedient and successful in the hereafter.

So I strive to be obedient. However, despite my attempts, I comitt sins - which Allah has already written for me to comitt. Why then punish me for eternity? That is the bit I don't understand.

The fact that the Qur'an and Sunnah both explain that Allah knows, yet at the same time they explain that you have a freedom of choice - then you have to accept both and strive to do good in order to get good.

Imagine, if you never revise for a test - you'll never pass. So the same way, if you never do good - you'll never fulfill the conditions to enter Paradise.

[Yanal]

Bro Qatada is correct and his question and answer is excellently put but here's my answer to that question brother Qatada asked:
Allah does know what is going to happen to us but the Shytaan can change our mind and Allah wants to find his true and loyal servants at this time,people who reject the devil and stay loyal to Allah and his messanger will be given a place in heaven but these hardships can also cause a healthy muslim to lose faith in Allah causing him to fall into the hands of the Shytaan,and after you drop it's hard to get back but not impossible.


Thats my answer,take that in view and reply.

[أبو سليمان عمر]

Bro Qatada is correct and his question and answer is excellently put but here's my answer to that question brother Qatada asked:
Allah does know what is going to happen to us but the Shytaan can change our mind and Allah wants to find his true and loyal servants at this time,people who reject the devil and stay loyal to Allah and his messanger will be given a place in heaven but these hardships can also cause a healthy muslim to lose faith in Allah causing him to fall into the hands of the Shytaan,and after you drop it's hard to get back but not impossible.


Thats my answer,take that in view and reply.

[absuk]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Know that everyone will be guided to do that for which he was created. Whoever is meant to be one of the people of happiness will be guided to do the deeds of the people of happiness, and whoever is meant to be one of the people of doom will be guided to do the deeds of the people of doom.” Agreed upon.

.
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/83424

Umar I am not questioning predestination regarding doing good, nor striving to eat, live, remain safe etc.

My question relates to the hadith you quoted above. In particular can you help me with the final section:

"...and whoever is meant to be one of the people of doom will be guided to do the deeds of the people of doom"

If it has been written for me to be of the people of doom, then I will be doomed. I agree that I do not know if I am in this group, and should remain steadfast to lead a good and obedient life. However, if I am in the group of Doom - Allah knew that before I was born. Why punish me for eternity?

[Yanal]

Because it's your choice and you can change it.

[GreyKode]

absuk don't take things literally,
The meaning of the ayah "Allah guides whom he wishes" is mainly that if ALLAH wanted he could have guided all of mankind but he leaves us the free will to choose and on the day of judgement the Qur'an says
"kafa benafsika al yawm alayka haseeba"
which means that on the day of judgement it is enough that you be your own judge and you will find that ALLAH is all just.
And ALLAH knows best