Ok guys, this is a question thats been on my mind for years…but i ignored it categorizing it among one of those issues that have no answers or are meant to be left alone or the religion has taught us to not think of it or perhaps there are answers but the average human brain is not deisgned in a way or is not competent enough to comprehend them…I’ve asked many people and have had many long confusing discussions, but to no avail…right now i’m in a strange mood cause of something that just happened that should have happened in a different way, So, I ask myself and everyone; Muslims, Christians, Jews Hindus, Zoroastrians, Budhists, Atheists, poletheist, withches, and evryone;
What is fate!? what is destiny? what is luck? is everything preordained as is taught in the Quran? is everything known by and under control of the Almighty Allah? then why do people get punished for the sins they commit? they are told they’ll be punished for the wrong they do. but isnt their fate written way before they were even born…? so why punish them…? We work hard for what we want, we pray and we often try our best to achieve our desired aims, goals but still lose. Why? why do we try and work hard or study hard to make sure we make a good living in the future to have a good life but we only get what’s written in our fate…? we fall in love and hope the other person will accept us and we pray and we pray and what happens is all that’s preordained. So, fellow mortals, where does the man’s effort come in…? why waste yourself trying to find bread when God will give you what he has writen for you…? Can prayers change destiny? Can efforts change our fate…? But what does that mean…? interefring in the divine plan or has Allah given us this freedom…? if yes, then again, why punish the sinner for his sins when all his sins have been written down prior to his birth…?
I’m really confused and am in the dumps right now.
I’m not being blasphemous or am not losing faith at all!
I just need serious counselling and comforting words on these grim isues. So my friends, help me out here please!
thanks!
Assalam O Alaikum,
Please read Holy Quran, Surah Al-Najm
and in Surah Al-Baqarah:
There are certain areas in which man is free to exercise his will, where he can choose between good or bad, right or wrong, and for which he will be held responsible. On the other hand, there are areas in which man has little choice of his own, and appears to be a pawn in the hand of the mover. The general plan of things in nature, which covers and controls the destinies of nations and peoples, is one such area. The circumstances of a wider application make an individual of society completely helpless; he has no choice but to move along like a straw being carried by the waves of a river in spate.
But in relation to religion, there are some spheres of destiny which are predetermined and unchangeable. They are referred to in the Holy Quran as the Sunnah of God. One such Sunnah is the destiny that God’s messengers will always be victorious, whether they are accepted or not. If they are rejected, it is the opponents whose designs are frustrated. The prophets, their messages and mission must always prevail, regardless of how powerful their enemies may be – a few examples in the living history of man are the confrontations between Moses (as) and Pharoah, between Jesus (as) and his opponents, and between Muhammad :saw: and his adversaries.
Haris… 
cheer up.
In my view, fate/destiny very much exists but you most certainly can’t leave your entire life ot fate/destiny! In fact, not even the holy Koran wants you to do that. Our lives are tested over and over again until the day we die. None of the actions we take in our lives are pre-destined. We make these choices ourselves but I believe that we are guided by Allah mian towards the right path while the Devil tempts us towards the wrong one.
I also believe–as many cultures/religions do and especially how Zoroastrians believe in reference to Ahura-Mazda and the constant struggle between good and evil–that since we have one life to live, we must make the most of it. Why waste it away and more importantly in this context, why waste away seconds, minutes, or hours on stuff that is nonproductive, causes pain, or is insignificant in the greater scheme of things? This is why Zoroastrians/Parsi are so goal-oriented, successful, and generous. They view their entire lives as a test to accomplish the most they can and to be the most “good” person in character and generosity to fellow man, concepts that Islam is a strong proponent of as well.
Salam Haris,
Actually i had the same confusion a few years ago but fortuantely my mind was cleared by my islamiat teacher. He says that the concept of pre-destination means that God 'knows' what is going to happen, he has not 'made' anyone to do that way. Its a bit difficult to understand, but i'll try my best. Suppose you could go back into past a couple of years back, then you'll 'know' what was going to happen in future. Similarly God knows that someone will steal that thing on that day, or someone will fall in love on that date, but he has not forced them to steal or fall in love. I hope you understand my point.
But there are, as Fatehahmad pointed, that certain things are decided by God, like where you are going to be born, when and where you will die.
Fatehahmed,
Yeah, i guess we have 'freewill' like in Buce Almighty, the concept was that God has all power but he has given man little power to pave his own way and has given him the choice between good, bad, right wrong and Allah knows how things will turn out but He has given us the freedom and ability to get what we strive for, through hard work, prayers etc. Prayers perhaps are strong enough to change destiny.
Echo,
I get your point very clearly, you gave a very accurate example, thanks.
and
Sweetpie!
Thnks for cheerin me up, that was sweet :)
and you addressed the right issue here, the thing on mind was that if everything was out of our control, why keep running after a deer you'll never catch..and perhaps leave life to the winds of destiny...But i guess you're right, it only makes sense, we are given the brain, the religion, the prophets, the choice between good and evil not just for nothing, Allah has given us power to chose and achieve what we will. Perhaps we are stronger than we think we are, maybe we have more inbuilt power within ourselves than we can imagine. Why else would God have asked man to pray and ask for His mercy if He hadnt planned on giving man what he would ask or strive for...Oh life! we pay such little attention to things that really matter.
Eid Mubarak! ^Right, and in addition to that, think of if at the most basic level. We are made in the “image of God” and are not animals or “primate ancestors” as scientists would have you believe. God has chosen a very special status for us as we are the progeny of Adam and Eve. He has made us special, even to the point that when He created Adam and asked his loyal angels to bow in front of this new creation, all but one (the Devil) bowed. Allah mian has given us the power to think, to reason, to apply logic to situations. Furthermore, we are given the knowledge via our holy Prophet as well as those that came before him, that life is a test and we are constantly being tested in the here and now for the afterlife. Our actions are our responsibility and we are solely and wholly responsible for them. This is why it is important to use your mind and ask God’s assistance in guiding you when you make decisions in life because although whichever decision you make is ultimately of your own volition, you also want Allah mian’s help in steering you in the right direction.
^Belated Eid Mubarak!
Yeah, youre right, as we know man is Allah's most superior creation; 'ashrafalmakhluqat', perhaps our power to reason, believe, think and chose is what makes us superior. The question comes up about how much one depends on his own reasoning, his own power to see right and wrong, make the right decisions, chose between options and how much one needs to depend on Allah...And, when one ends up making mistakes or ends up in the wrong situations or finds trouble, should he/she blame his ownself or the Creator...?
I agree on all points that God is in charge..
What I disagree on is fate..
When God created man in his own image..he gave man choice..
Ultimately God might know what the choice is..
But still is in the hands of the person chosing.
That is my explanation of 'in God's image".
I am of the thinking that blaming God....because one was taught that whatever happens is in God's hands is mistaken thought.
Got might be aware of the ultimate happening...
But because we as humans were made in God's image..
It's in our hearts to decide {with Gods guidence} what is right and wrong.
And yeah..
I suppose I am Kaffir.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by PurelyAvgGirl: *
I suppose I am Kaffir.
[/QUOTE]
...what, why...?