What is your opinion regarding some imams making this supplication on the Night of Decree: “O Allah, whatever evil You have decreed in it, turn it away from us”?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh says: Some imams include in the qunut supplication on the Night of Decree the phrase: “O Allah, whatever evil You have decreed in it, turn it away from us.” Is there not a lack of proper conduct toward Allah in this, given that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is known that evil is not attributed to Allah, without doubt. Allah the Exalted is not described with evil, and evil exists only in the created effects, not in the act itself. The act of Allah is all good. But let us look at this with you: wealth, knowledge, health, and security—what are these? Good. Their opposites are evil.[Al-Anbya 21:35] But is the evil in the act of Allah? Can it be said that Allah decreed it because He is evil? May Allah protect us from that. No, it is impossible. Rather, Allah’s decree of it is for a great wisdom by which this evil becomes good. Listen: [Ar-Rum 30:41] And where does this corruption come from? By the decree of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, but its cause is [Ar-Rum 30:41] and its purpose is [Ar-Rum 30:41]. For this reason, we all say: We believe in the divine decree, what? Its good and its evil. But we must know that Allah does not decree evil except for a wisdom, and in that case, this evil becomes good. This evil becomes good. Have you seen a man who has a child he loves intensely, and the child falls ill and needs cauterization, so his father cauterizes him? Cauterization in itself, what is it? Evil or good? It is evil; it causes the child pain and may cause injury, but with regard to the intended purpose, it is good and healing. This is how what Allah, Mighty and Majestic, decrees that does not suit the person is evil, but with regard to the effect, not the act. The act of Allah is all good, but the effect of it: some is good and some is evil. On this basis, the statement of the one who says: “And whatever evil, affliction, and trial You have decreed in it, turn it away from us and from all the Muslims” is correct and clear. Good. And this is clarified by His saying: What? So the evil is in the decreed matter, not in the decree. Yes. When the time of the morning light arrives, meaning the permissibility of prayer, we have reached it.
The questioner : Yesterday we stopped at this time.
The Shaykh : At this time, then this is the last question.
The questioner : Very well.
Evil is not from You
الشر ليس إليكThe Shaykh : Yes, it is known that evil is not attributed to Allah, without doubt. Allah the Exalted is not described with evil, and evil exists only in the created effects, not in the act itself. The act of Allah is all good. But let us look at this with you: wealth, knowledge, health, and security—what are these? Good. Their opposites are evil.
We test you with evil and with good
ونبلوكم بالشر والخيرCorruption has appeared throughout the land and sea
ظهر الفساد في البر والبحرby [reason of] what the hands of people have earned
بما كسبت أيدي الناسso He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].
ليذيقهم بعض الذي عملوا لعلهم يرجعونand protect us from evil
وقنا شرthe evil of what You have decreed
شر ما قضيتThe questioner : Yesterday we stopped at this time.
The Shaykh : At this time, then this is the last question.
The questioner : Very well.