What Is The Relation Of Divine Decree And Destiny With Creation?

 

There are two aspects of the relation between Divine Decree and Destiny and creation. First, as a determining and compelling factor, Destiny is absolutely dominant everywhere, except for that realm in which our free will has a part. Everything occurs according to Its measure and determination, judgment and direction. God is the absolute owner of sovereignty, and thus does what He wills. No can call Him to account for His acts. Being absolutely Just and Wise, and absolutely Merciful and Compassionate, He does only good and never wrongs His creatures.

We cannot interfere with the universe’s operation. The sun always sends heat and light independent of us, the Earth rotates on its axis and around the sun, days and months pass, the seasons and years come and go, and we have no control over nature. There are innumerable instances of wisdom in all of God’s acts, all of which benefit us, and so we must study and reflect on His acts to discover their wisdom:

In the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for men of understanding. Those that remember and mention God standing, sitting, and lying down, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the Earth. “Our Lord! You have not created this in vain. Glory be to You! Protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (3:190–91)

We should reflect on what happens to us. God never wills evil for His creatures, for whatever of evil befalls a man is from himself (4:79). In other words, our sins are the source of our misfortunes. God allows misfortunes to strike us so that or sins will be forgiven or so that we will be promoted to higher ranks. But this does not mean that God sometimes, for a reason known only to Him, overlooks our sins and does not punish us.

The second aspect of this relationship concerns the religious injunctions and prohibitions, which relate to human free will. While Divine Destiny is absolutely dominant in those areas in which our free will has no part (e.g., the creation and control of all things and beings, animate and inanimate bodies, the movement of planets, and all “natural” events or phenomena in this world), It takes our free will into consideration. However, God creates all things and events, including all of our deeds, because He has honored us with free will and prepared an eternal abode for us. Although He desires that we always do what is good and insistently invites us to it, He does not refrain from giving eternal, physical existence to our bad choices and evil acts, however displeased with them He is.

 

This article has been adapted from Risale- i Nur Collection.