Decreed or Free will?

Assalamu Aleikum readers and bloggers,

Is our life in Dunya (the world down here) decreed or do we have free will?

It is both. Neither cancels the other. The two coexists. The way I see it, He, Allah, knows all the possibilities. It is our choice to make the right decision. Everyone has a chance until the last breath of air. By my sayings, I am not negating predestination either. Judgement day has been predestined. The number of days each one of us has to live has been predestined just like when a woman runs out of the number of eggs she was born with, she meets menopause.

I compare my philosophy to probabilities in Statistics. I don’t read horoscopes but I know that these things are not written in stones. Furthermore, it is haram to try to read one’s future. Having said that, there is a difference between fortune telling/seeking and Istikhara. The future changes and can many times over, due to the actions we take. This is why it is advised to keep praying even if Istikhara is positive or negative. If it is positive, there is a likelihood that it will stay positive if you continue praying for it. If it is negative or not applicable, your additional prayers may help you change the undesired outcome.

Many people like to say that He, Allah, knows everything. True! Therefore, He has set their lives for them. No, He has not! We have free will! Allah subhanahu wa ta ala knows all the instances Shaitan will tempt us. If we fall in his traps, we fail in Dunya. On the other hand, if we dodged Shaitan, we get the Mubarak like He Allah has prepared for us as a reward of good behavior. It is like our actions lead us to our rise or fall. When we fall in His graces, we MUST pray to never get lost again. I used to wonder why it was necessary to pray to stay on the right path since I was already there thinking that can NEVER change until I was tempted over and over while being on the right path. Then, I worried and became afraid that my nafs will lead me astray. Alhamdullilah for all the blessings I get from Him. I will never stop saying thank you and seeking shelter under Him in sha Allah.

Papatia Feauxzar,

Author of “Between Sisters, SVP!”