Do you believe in fate or destiny ?

 

Part 2 : 

Belief in fate and destiny is one of the key beliefs in Islam.

Allah is the creator of all things. He created the universe, He created time, and He wrote everything in the preserved tablet, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz. His knowledge encompasses all that was, all that is, and all that will ever be. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, and His wisdom is beyond our comprehension. Everything in existence submits to His will, and nothing happens without His decree. In His creation, there are signs for those who reflect, showing His power, His might, and His unparalleled greatness.

The first principle which Islam lays down in regard to Taqdir is that man is neither completely the master of his fate nor is he bound to the blind law of predestination. So far as the sovereignty of Allah's Will is concerned, it is all-pervading and nothing falls outside its orbit. Not even a leaf, therefore, stirs without His Will.

Qur’an says: 

“No kind of calamity occurs except by Allah’s permission. Whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart. Allah has knowledge of all things.” (Qur’an, 64:11)

There is also a saying : 

“Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like.” 

– Lemony Snicket

Sometimes we may want a thing, but as time goes on, we lose faith, it seems too distant or impossible, and we ask of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ less and less. This is wrong. We should continue to ask from Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ for as long as we're alive because only He can give it to us. Why would we stop? 

Prophet Ibrahim (as) was reportedly eighty-six years old when he was granted his first child. If a thing doesn't benefit you, then Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ may withhold it, and He knows best. But don't ever believe it's not within your fate because you don't know. Believing so becomes self-fulfilling as you'll ask less and not take the necessary action to receive His barakah (blessing). It's as if to say Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ can't or won't do this for me.

The best attitude for a believer is to say neither I can nor can't. 

The servant of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ operates in a state of surrender to Allah; he works to serve. He does let his ego direct his action through the delusion of superiority and self-control. But the other extreme is the delusion of irresponsibility, that you're incapable of doing anything. 

The verses in the Qur'an which mention the name Al-Qadir encourage us to keep asking Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ in this light.

“Say, O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is (all) good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”   (Qur’an, 3:26)