The Twenty-sixth Word

Divine Destiny and Decree and human free will

Third topic

Believing in Divine Destiny is a pillar of belief. That is, everything is determined by God, the All-Mighty. While there are countless proofs of Destiny, we will make only some introductory remarks to show just how important this pillar is for creation.

The Qur’an specifically explains that everything is predetermined and recorded after it comes into existence, as in: Not a thing, fresh or withered, wet or dry, but it is in a Manifest Book (6:59), and many other verses. This is confirmed by the universe, this macro-Qur’an of the Divine Power, through its creational and operational signs like order, harmony, balance, forming and shaping, adornment and distinguishing. All seeds, fruit pits, measured proportions, and forms show that everything is predetermined before its earthly existence. Each seed or fruit pit has a protective case formed in the factory of Kaf Nun,148 into which Divine Destiny has inserted a tree’s or plant’s life-history. Divine Power uses the atoms, according to the measure established by Divine Destiny, to cause the particular seed to grow miraculously into the particular tree. This means that the tree’s future life-history is as though written in its seed.

Individuals and species differ, but they are formed from the identical basic materials. Plants and animals grow from the same constituent basic elements, yet display such harmony and proportion amid abundant diversity that we can only conclude that each one has been given its unique form and measure by Divine Power according to the measure established for it by Divine Destiny. For example, consider how vast and innumerable are the inanimate atoms that shift, cohere, and separate so that this seed grows into this tree or that drop of semen grows into that animal.

Since Divine Destiny is manifested to this extent in visible material things, the forms with which things are clothed over time and the states they acquire through their motions also depend on Divine Destiny’s ordering. A seed displays Destiny in two ways. The first is by showing the Manifest Book (Kitabun Mubin), another title for Divine Will and God’s creational and operational laws of the universe. The second is by showing the Manifest Record (Imamun Mubin), another title for Divine Knowledge and Command.149 If we regard these two as different manifestations of Divine Destiny, the former can be understood and referred to as “Actual Destiny” and the latter as “Formal (Theoretical) Destiny.” The future physical form a tree will assume with all its roots, trunk, branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits can be understood as its Actual Destiny. Its general (theoretical) form, represented by its seed and comprised of all the life stages it will pass through, is its Formal Destiny. Such manifestations of Divine Destiny, so easily observed in a tree’s life, illustrate how everything has been predetermined in a Record before its worldly existence.

On the other hand, all fruits (signs of the Manifest Book and Manifest Record), and all human memories indicating the Supreme Preserved Tablet (Lawhun Mahfuz), prove that just as everything has been prerecorded, everything’s life-history has been recorded. Each tree’s life-history is recorded in each fruit, the outcome of its life. Humanity’s life-history, including events occurring in the external world, is recorded in human memory. Thus Divine Power registers our deeds with the Pen of Destiny by lodging it in our memory so that we will remember them on the Day of Reckoning. We should also realize that this world of transience and upheaval contains numerous “mirrors” pertaining to eternity, in which the All-Powerful and Wise One depicts and makes permanent the identities of mortals. There also are many tablets upon which the All Knowing Preserver records the eternal meanings of transient beings.

In short, while plants (the simplest and lowest level of life) are completely dependent upon Divine Destiny, human life (the highest level) also has been determined by Destiny. Just as raindrops indicate a cloud, water trickles disclose a spring and receipts and vouchers suggest a ledger’s existence, so fruits, sperms, seeds, and forms indicate the Manifest Book and the Manifest Record or the (Supreme) Preserved Tablet. The former is a title for or a notebook of Divine Will and God’s creational and operational laws of the universe, while the latter represents Divine Knowledge.

While a living creature is being formed, atoms move continuously, travel to their destinations by complicated routes, and remain there. Their movement results in many benefits, uses, and instances of wisdom. Evidently, Divine Destiny appoints an apparent measure and form for each thing. If this is so, even the immaterial states of living beings result in certain fruits. Thus Divine Power is the agent, and Divine Destiny is the pattern upon which Divine Power writes the book of meanings. We see that each movement and stage experienced by a living creature are predetermined by Divine Destiny. Moreover, its whole life forms a harmonious unity.

Since Divine Destiny has appointed a destination and a certain purposeful result for everything, and since all of its life-stages also have been predetermined by the same Destiny, the life-history of humanity, the most perfect fruit of the Tree of Creation and ruler of the earth and bearer of the Supreme Trust, is more subject than anything else to the law of Divine Destiny.

QUESTION: If we are so bound by Divine Destiny, is belief in Destiny not a burden for the heart and spirit, which are so desirous of activity and self-perfection?

ANSWER: Absolutely not! Rather, it provides the spirit with relief, security, and comfort. If we do not believe in Destiny, the spirit has to endure a bur den as heavy as the earth for the sake of an illusory, temporary, and very limited freedom. For we are connected with the whole universe, and cherish limit less desires and ambitions, none of which we can satisfy on our own. Eventually, we will be left alone with insupportable trouble and torment. Belief in Destiny places this burden on the vessel of Destiny, and allows the heart and spirit to work for their perfection with perfect ease and freedom. It only takes away the carnal soul’s illusory freedom and breaks its tyrannical hold over us. Belief in Destiny gives us a pleasure and happiness beyond description.

Consider this comparison: Two people enter a splendid palace. One does not recognize the king and tries to live there on theft and usurpation. However, he finds it hard to control the palace and its inhabitants, take care of the gar den, carry out the king’s affairs with the necessary calculation and management, operate the machines, and feed the animals. As a result, this “paradise” turns into “hell” for him. Finally, he is imprisoned because of his defective management and corruption. The other person recognizes the king and is aware of being his guest. He perceives and believes that the affairs of the palace and the garden are carried out under the king’s rule and authority. Understanding that the king assumes full responsibility for governing the palace, he enjoys the pleasures of living there and does not interfere. He overlooks certain things that appear disagreeable, trusting in the king’s compassion and his administration’s justice and wisdom. As a result, he lives a contented and pleasant life. Reflect on this comparison and understand the adage: Whoever believes in Destiny is free from anxiety.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi

148 The Qur’an says that His Command, when He wills a thing to be, is to say “Be,” and it is (36:82). The original Arabic words are kun fa yakun. In the Islamic tradition, creation is considered to result from the Divine Command kun. The letters k (kaf) and n (nun) make up the word kun (be). (Tr.)

149 See also p. 565, the footnote 170.