The Twenty-Sixth Word

The Twenty-Sixth Word

Treatise on Divine Determining

Treatise on Divine Determining

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

And there is not a thing but its [sources and] treasures [inexhaustible] are with Us, but We only send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures.(15:21) ∗ And of all things have We taken account in a Clear Book.(36:12)

[Divine determining [^1] and the power of choice [^2] are two important matters. We shall attempt to disclose a few of their mysteries in four topics.]

[^1]:Divine determining (qadar) is also known as predestination, fate, or destiny. (Tr.)

[^2]:The power of choice or faculty of will (juz’ī irāda, juz’-i ikhtiyārī), also known as free will. (Tr.)

First Topic

FIRST TOPIC

Divine determining and the power of choice are aspects of a belief pertaining to state and conscience which show the final limits of Islam and belief; they are not theoretical and do not pertain to knowledge. That is to say, a believer attributes everything to Almighty God, even his actions and self, till finally the power of choice confronts him, so he cannot evade his obligation and responsibility. It tells him: “You are responsible and under obligation.” Then, so that he does not become proud at his good deeds and his achievements, divine determining confronts him, saying: “Know your limits; the one who does them is not you.” Yes, divine determining and the power of choice are at the final degrees of belief and Islam; the former has been included among the matters of belief to save the soul from pride, and the latter, to make it admit to its responsibility. Obdurate evil-commanding souls clinging to divine determining in order to clear themselves of the responsibility of the evils they have committed, and their becoming proud