What is the difference between cosmic will and legislative will?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you, what is the difference between legislative will and cosmic will?
The Shaykh : Yes, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has a will, and this will is divided into two categories:
Legislative will and cosmic will. The difference between them is from two aspects. The first is that cosmic will pertains to creation and formation, whether it is what Allah loves or what He does not love. As for legislative will, it pertains to the Shari'ah and is specific to what Allah loves; Allah does not will legislatively anything but what He loves.
The second difference is that in cosmic will, the intended outcome must occur, whereas in legislative will, the intended outcome may or may not occur. This is evident in the example:
If Allah wills evil for a people, Allah the Exalted said:[Ar-Ra'd 13:11] It must happen, even if it is evil. As for legislative will, [Al-Baqarah 2:185] it is not possible for Him to will legislatively for us what is difficult for us; rather, if a matter becomes difficult legislatively, it is made easier.
So the traveler and the sick person pray standing; if they cannot, they pray sitting; if they cannot, they pray on their side. And Allah has willed for every person to be a believer and pious, but this is legislative will. Therefore, we find that it is sometimes not fulfilled; some people do not become believers or pious. This is the difference between them. To summarize the difference: cosmic will pertains to creation and formation, and the intended outcome must occur in it; legislative will pertains to the Shari'ah, and the intended outcome may or may not occur in it.
The Shaykh : Yes, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has a will, and this will is divided into two categories:
Legislative will and cosmic will. The difference between them is from two aspects. The first is that cosmic will pertains to creation and formation, whether it is what Allah loves or what He does not love. As for legislative will, it pertains to the Shari'ah and is specific to what Allah loves; Allah does not will legislatively anything but what He loves.
The second difference is that in cosmic will, the intended outcome must occur, whereas in legislative will, the intended outcome may or may not occur. This is evident in the example:
If Allah wills evil for a people, Allah the Exalted said:
there is no repelling it
فلا مرد لهAllah intends for you ease
يريد الله بكم اليسرSo the traveler and the sick person pray standing; if they cannot, they pray sitting; if they cannot, they pray on their side. And Allah has willed for every person to be a believer and pious, but this is legislative will. Therefore, we find that it is sometimes not fulfilled; some people do not become believers or pious. This is the difference between them. To summarize the difference: cosmic will pertains to creation and formation, and the intended outcome must occur in it; legislative will pertains to the Shari'ah, and the intended outcome may or may not occur in it.