The Ruling on Citing Divine Decree as an Excuse
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Shaykh Salih, we move on to another questioner who sent his question. He says: What is the ruling on citing divine decree as an excuse for abandoning what Allah has commanded, and likewise in the case of calamities?
Answer:
It is not permissible to cite divine decree as an excuse for abandoning commands or for committing sins, because this is the action of the servant and the choice of the servant, so he has no excuse. As for citing divine decree and destiny regarding what is beyond one's control and calamities, that is valid, so that a person does not become despondent, so that a person does not become despondent and complain.[At-Taghabun 64:11], so when a man is struck by a calamity, he knows that it is from Allah, so he is pleased and submits, and does not become despondent.
[Al-Baqarah 2:156]. So they are patient and do not speak except in good, and they do not complain. Because they have no means to deal with punishments. The only means is in their actions: that they abandon sins, hasten to obedience, and repent from evil deeds.
The Shaykh: Divine decree and destiny are cited as an argument regarding misfortunes in which a human has no hand, but as for performing commands and leaving prohibitions, no one has an argument in that, because the sinner sinned by his own choice, and the obedient one obeyed by his own choice, so he is not excused in this. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Hadid 57:22], meaning the decree and destiny [Al-Hadid 57:22], that is, before We created them [Al-Hadid 57:22], so that you not [Al-Hadid 57:23], meaning We informed you of this because this removes from you sadness, anger, and despair, so that you not [Al-Hadid 57:23], meaning joy of arrogance, extravagance, and pride. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you
Shaykh Salih, we move on to another questioner who sent his question. He says: What is the ruling on citing divine decree as an excuse for abandoning what Allah has commanded, and likewise in the case of calamities?
Answer:
It is not permissible to cite divine decree as an excuse for abandoning commands or for committing sins, because this is the action of the servant and the choice of the servant, so he has no excuse. As for citing divine decree and destiny regarding what is beyond one's control and calamities, that is valid, so that a person does not become despondent, so that a person does not become despondent and complain.
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌWho, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return."
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَThe Shaykh: Divine decree and destiny are cited as an argument regarding misfortunes in which a human has no hand, but as for performing commands and leaving prohibitions, no one has an argument in that, because the sinner sinned by his own choice, and the obedient one obeyed by his own choice, so he is not excused in this. Allah the Exalted said:
No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍbefore We bring it into being
مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَاindeed that, for Allah, is easy -
إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌdespair over what has eluded you
تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْdespair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you
تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَا آتَاكُمْThe presenter:
May Allah reward you
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 02/229 — archive.org (14:16)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.