What is Destiny? Submission or Struggle?
Human beings, by their very nature, are both powerless and in need. They are constantly dependent on hundreds of things and exposed to thousands of hardships. They cannot choose their birth, nor their death; they cannot determine their gender or their parents. The most fundamental stages of life lie beyond human choice.
Faced with this reality, a deep and unsettling question echoes in the human mind: “How far does my free will extend? Am I the one who determines my life, or is there a fate that directs me?” It is precisely at this point that the concept of destiny comes into play.
Does Destiny Restrict Freedom?
Destiny is one of the most discussed and intriguing articles of faith in Islamic thought, known for its depth, subtlety, and wisdom. This issue is not only a matter of intellectual inquiry but also a search for heartfelt consolation and conscience peace. The concept of destiny gains even greater importance especially in the face of hardships, injustices, or unexpected events.
Sometimes, responsibility is evaded by saying, “If it is in destiny, it will happen,” when punishing a criminal; other times, a feeling of rebellion arises against the calamities that befall. However, destiny is neither the idea of compulsion (necessity) nor a way to escape responsibility…
Destiny is a manifestation of God’s attribute of knowledge. In other words, destiny means that everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen is recorded in God’s eternal knowledge.
“Destiny is a kind of knowledge. Knowledge follows what is known.”
In other words, destiny is not a dry, fixed fate; it is a system shaped by God’s eternal knowledge, absolute justice, and infinite wisdom. It does not conflict with human will but honors it. Destiny is God’s knowledge, but this knowledge does not negate human free will. On the contrary, a person bears the consequences of the choices they make with their partial free will. Destiny knows and records these choices through eternal knowledge.
However, destiny is not compulsion. Just because God knows and records something does not mean it must necessarily happen that way. His knowledge is eternal and encompasses everything that has happened and will happen; but this knowledge does not remove the responsibility of the doer.
Destiny is justice. A person reaps what they sow. Destiny writes according to a person’s inclinations. That is, God knows which way a person will lean and judges accordingly. Oppression is never involved.
The Relationship Between Human Will and Destiny
In Risale-i Nur, a delicate and subtle balance is established between destiny and human will. Destiny is God’s eternal knowledge that encompasses everything; however, this knowledge is not a compelling cause that forces human will or choices. The right of a person to choose their own actions is fundamental to their being a responsible entity.
The phrase from Risale-i Nur, “Destiny is a kind of knowledge. Knowledge follows what is known,” emphasizes that destiny is shaped according to the choices a person makes that is, God knows how something will be before it happens. Thus, it prevents people from escaping responsibility by blaming destiny for their wrongdoings.
This balance rejects both extremes: neither the deterministic view that sees humans as mere puppets of destiny nor the complete denial of destiny. In Risale-i Nur, both extremes are rejected; humans both make choices with their own will and God’s infinite knowledge of these choices is seen as a reflection of destiny.
“Destiny knows the outcome of everything. Destiny writes whatever way the inclination of things goes.”
Calamities and Destiny
An important aspect of destiny is calamities such as illnesses, hardships, disasters, and losses that occur beyond human will. These events are not random, meaningless, or solely dependent on external factors. Like other occurrences, calamities are manifestations of destiny and happen according to God’s knowledge and wisdom.
“Calamities are related to destiny. Destiny administers justice.”
Calamities take place within the scope of divine justice and wisdom. Often, people find it difficult to understand the hardships they face; however, behind these events lie hidden mercies such as atonement for sins, purification of the soul, or elevation of spiritual status. Therefore, every calamity is not necessarily a punishment but sometimes a cleansing or a means of spiritual advancement.
Linking calamities to destiny allows individuals to view what happens to them from a broader and wiser perspective. This opens the door to patience and submission instead of rebellion, and to prayer and trust in God instead of complaint. Risale-i Nur emphasizes that patience during calamities is not passive waiting but an active act of faith.
“Those who believe in destiny find security from grief.”
In the Risale-i Nur Collection, destiny is explained as not conflicting with human will but rather confirming it. Destiny is God’s eternal knowledge; humans live and bear responsibility according to their own will, not according to this knowledge. This balance preserves both divine justice and the consciousness of servitude.
If you’re searching for a deeper understanding of what true happiness really means and where it can be found, we encourage you to read our blog post titled Where Is True Happiness Hidden? for meaningful insights and reflections.