The Difference Between Divine Decree and Destiny, and Between Cosmic and Legislative Will

Question:
What is the difference between divine decree and destiny? How do we respond to those who use destiny as an excuse for sins? And what is the difference between cosmic, destined will and legislative, religious will?

Answer:
The term *qada'* (divine decree) is a polysemous word used to refer to *qadar* (divine decree). It is said, "Allah decreed such and such," meaning He predestined such and such. It is also said, "Allah decreed such and such," meaning He commanded such and such. Thus, it is a word with multiple meanings, as Allah the Exalted said: So *qada'* can mean *qadar* (divine decree): "Allah decreed that such and such would happen," meaning Allah predestined that such and such would happen. "Allah decreed that we should not worship anyone but Him," "Allah decreed that we should abandon *zina* (unlawful sexual intercourse)," and "Allah decreed that we should abandon the counsel of the moon" — meaning He commanded us to do these things. As for *iradah* (will), it is the legislative will, which means love: that Allah loved such and such, was pleased with such and such, and the like. As Allah the Exalted said: He loves ease for you and calls you to it and commands you to do it, and He does not want hardship for you. "Allah wants to make clear to you" — this meaning is the legislative will. And when someone says, "By Allah, He wants the Hereafter," it means He wants you to work for the Hereafter, to thank Him, and to worship Him. And there is the cosmic will, which means that Allah predestined these things, such as the saying of the Exalted and Glorified: from the ascent in the sky. This is a cosmic, predestined will. The meaning of *mashiyah* (will), as Allah the Exalted said from these are matters of predestination. What are the *Qadariyyah* (a sect that denied divine decree)?
Much of what Allah does is what He wills, and the like of that which came in the meaning of cosmic purpose.