TO BELIEVE IN FATE, GOODNESS AND EVIL

One of the essentials of belief is to believe in fate and that all good and evil come from Allâhu ta’âlâ. The meaning of fate as expressed in English is destiny. Jenâb-i Haqq externally knows everything which will be experienced by every man. Nobody is able to change fate. It is changed only if Jenâb-i Haqq wills. Fate is a secret of Allâhu ta’âlâ.

All good and evil come from Allâhu ta’âlâ, since the superior will belongs to Him. Allâhu ta’âlâ has given man only an inferior will. People who use this inferior will agreeably with the commandments of Allâhu ta’âlâ will be rewarded. People who abuse it will be punished. It is the use of this inferior will that leads men to either Heaven or Hell. If a Muslim drinks alcohol, he will have used his will against the commandments of Allâhu ta’âlâ. If a Muslim abstains from drinking alcoholic drinks, he has used his will in compliance with the orders of Allâhu ta’âlâ. Therefore, one may use one’s will at one’s own discretion, either for what is right or for what is wrong.

As a result of using one’s inferior will in a disobedient manner, Allâhu ta’âlâ will bring evil upon such a person. Therefore, this person is one who prepares evil. Jenâb-i Haqq is not cruel. On the contrary, the mercy of Allâhu ta’âlâ is superior to the mercy of a mother for her child. Nevertheless, the motive behind an evil act is known only by Allâhu ta’âlâ. It is not always possible for man to understand the reasons and the motives for every decree or every deed of Allâhu ta’âlâ.