Episode 23 - What if?

What if calamities and joys befall people without measure, but randomly, so that they may strike you and leave others, neither for wisdom nor prior knowledge? What if Allah and the measurement of decrees were entrusted to angels we know nothing of, neither their mercy nor their wisdom nor their justice? What if tribulations were detached from recompense, such that you are afflicted and another is blessed, then you both end up the same in recompense and fate if your deeds were equal, and your patience with your afflictions was in vain?

Strange questions, aren't they? But I found in them an answer to an old question I have long asked myself: What is the meaning of Allah making the owners of calamities patient that their calamities are decreed from old, as He says: {No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not grieve for the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over what has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.}[Al-Hadid: 22-23]..

So these calamities are not random, but decreed before they occur, so there is no need for sorrow. And Allah did not entrust anyone – of whom we know nothing – to decree them, but: {No calamity befalls except by the permission of Allah.}[At-Taghabun: 11].. Allah, whom we know: 1. Is Wise, making in trials blessings from where we do not know: {And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing which is bad for you. And Allah knows while you do not know.}[Al-Baqarah: 216].. 2. And we know of Him that {Allah is Kind to His servants}[Ash-Shura: 19].. so He decrees what He decrees upon us with kindness. 3. And we know of Him that He is Wise, as Yusuf (peace be upon him) said – after seeing the victories of his Lord in affliction –: {Verily, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.}[Yusuf: 100].. 4. And we know of His justice and favor, as Yusuf (peace be upon him) also said: {Verily, whoever fears and is patient, then verily, Allah does not waste the reward of the good-doers.}[Yusuf: 90]..

So when we hear the verses that speak of decree, and the hadiths like ((Know that what has befallen you was not to miss you, and what has missed you was not to befall you)), let us know that they remind us of the truth that these decrees are decreed by Allah, whom we know of His knowledge and wisdom and kindness and mercy and justice, so let us submit ourselves to Him with tranquility.