Muslim Fatalism and its consequences
Muslims believe that Allah’s moral character is ultimately unknowable, and Allah’s ways are beyond all understanding. One result of this is that even practising Muslims lack assurance of Allah’s forgiveness simply because they are not certain about God’s ultimate attitude or will towards them.
If God wills
Spend even a short time around Muslims and you will become aware that they continually use the Arabic phrase “In sha Allah”, which means “if God wills”. This phrase is used in a multitude of circumstances. In practice, it often means “whatever happens is God’s will”.
Muslims worldwide often live in a cloud of fatalism and uncertainty about their future. Muslims affirm with the Qur’an that Allah leads astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills (Qur’an, Surat 35:8). While the Qur’an also lays great emphasis on the free choice and moral conduct of individuals and communities, popular Islamic thinking and practice are often very fatalistic. For example, several years ago a Muslim woman in Paris told some Christians about the death of her son. Even though she knew that her son actually died of a drug overdose, she insisted that this was Allah’s destiny for him. She was deeply grieved by the loss of her son, despite affirming her conviction that her son died according to God’s will. This event affected her entire vision of God.
The Love of God
We can see similar manifestations of fatalism even in events which have international importance. In July 1990, a total of 1,426 Muslim pilgrims in Mecca died when a tunnel collapsed during the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) at the end of the Muslim pilgrimage or Hajj. Many of the pilgrims died as a result of suffocation or were trampled to death in a frantic effort to escape as thousands of other pilgrims poured into the tunnel area. King Fahd of Saudi Arabia caused additional news coverage of the disaster by his remark that it was “God’s will” and “had the victims not died in the tunnel they would have died elsewhere at the same predestined moment.” (From the report of a debate in the UK Parliament.)
All Christians around the world agree that God’s will has been supremely manifested in Jesus. The death and resurrection of Christ are God’s means for dealing with sin, death and the devil. “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38). While our sovereign Lord’s will may be mysterious, it is also very clear in many respects.
Prayer Guide
* Pray that Muslims will be set free from ideas which cause them to think of God in a fatalistic and manipulative way.
* Pray for God to give Christians understanding in helping Muslims to come out of fatalism. New converts especially need to see God in a new light and understand the consequences about God’s ultimate attitude or will and love for them.
* Fatalism has an impact in all aspects of Muslim society. From healthcare to economics, all is governed by the “In sha Allah” mentality, which often means simply to submit oneself to whatever happens. Pray for a healthy change of perspective.
It is one of the article of faith in Islam -belief in fate (predestination) whether good or bad.We (both muslims ,christians and indeed every one else) are acting an already written script.Yes, Allah (God) has known and is written down every single activity/event in each and everybody,s life from the day one is born to the day he/she departs this world.For every fetus (unborn child) ,an angel is directed to write the lengh of time this would -be born baby would spend on earth, the riches it would aquire and lots of other details on this fetus.
But this notwithstanding, Islam does not allow one to lead himself to danger deliberately,one should not be lazy but work hard to earn himself a living and be cautious all his life.
Assalamuelaikum! A question, in relation to this topic: Seeing as how lives are pre-destined, should ones financial situation be reason to not have a child for fear of not being able to support it?? Should we work one wait till they have more money or should we trust in Allah and believe he will take care of this child since it’s life is already written?? Thank you!
Ualeikumassalam! I have three children and believe that children are gift from Allah. I think that Allah will give necessary resources to raise my children because He loves each of them. I am the father of these children but the real Father is Him. My children are more Allah’s creation than anything else. For me it is a mistery how life and breath comes into an unborn child. This is something that is done by Him. It takes faith to have children and especially the first one. It is a lot of responsibility and I don’t think that we should just wait. I think we should do as much as we can (e.g. actively seek a job, grow professionally, etc) and trust that Allah will give His blessing. We should ask Allah’s will and make choices according to His will. Life becomes exciting when you can have such relationships with Him. You do your 100% and He does His 100%. Our life is pre-destined in the sense that Allah knows the end but He does not dictate our choices. He knows what choices we will make but we have freedom to make those choices. I also believe that financial planning is important. It is being responsible with what Allah gives to us. He will always provide for our needs because He promised to do so. But we need to be faithful with small things He gives to us, so that He might give us more as He promised. He is faithful and loving. I enjoy very much being His son.
Dear Nina, this is a question so many families face and even more so now that the whole seems to be facing financial turmoil. God has promised to give us wisdom if we ask for it. In the New Testament the teacher James (James 1:5) says
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
And Jesus said
22 “… do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27″Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
I have said a prayer for you that you have wisdom as you make your decision and that you will not be anxious about the future but place your trust in the Lord of all.
Blessings, Elaine
Dear Nina, do what is in your heart, and just love… do no quench your heart desires and do not let people decide over your life.
Once you have taken your decision, use your brain considering how it would be, and what the consequences of your heart projects are. Once you have a clear picture of your desire, and what kind of investment you will afford in love, time, sacrifice and finances, ask Allah confirmation and when you receive the answer… well, enjoy life! Assalamuelaikum! I love you, Lidia.
Dear Nina,
Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ilallah brings up a very interesting foundation for much of our decisions in life. You are not alone in your question. I believe that the answer to your question is BOTH/AND. You work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God; for conceiving and raising a child under any type of circumstances.
I know from personal experience that you can plan the best you know and all your plans (ie. to support this child) can fall apart beyond your control, which gives you the choice to get angry with God and blame Him or believe in Him still, though you don’t understand why He is allowing you to go through the circumstances you are in. I know because I am in my 8th month of pregnancy and had exactly this choice.
In my 5th month of pregnancy (Nov.) my husband lost his job, we had to start paying triple the amount for Cobra health insurance for my prenatal care and my commission income dropped almost in half in the same month. He has gone without health insurance b-c we simply couldn’t afford it. We have been living off my reduced income and our savings and I feared we would lose our condo if he didn’t find work by March/April because I don’t get paid maternity leave in my profession. I was very angry with God and got to the point that I didn’t want to pray anymore. I was convinced His hand was against me. But b-4 and after that low point, I was also asking: what do you want me to learn from this? What is it You are wanting to do in me?
I must admit, I often do not understand why our Heavenly Father allows us to suffer and experience pain. It was His will that Jesus suffer a horrible humiliation and agony in the mocking, whipping,and dying by suffocation on a cross to fulfill the Old Testament requirement for a pure, blameless blood sacrifice that cover all sin for all time so that our fellowship, as humans with the God Who created us, could be re-established in personal relationship, like when Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden of Eden. I finally came to realize, that God has not abandoned me, but I had separated my self from Him by my unbelief. Jesus’ “plans” were to follow in the footsteps of his earthly father as a carpenter, but God had bigger plans that involved MUCH pain and suffering and Jesus followed God’s lead willingly. I realized, that I had a choice, just as Jesus did, to believe and trust that God has a greater purpose in whatever I am experiencing and that my prayers could change from “deliver me out of these circumstances” to “how do you want me to change?”
That being said, we did not get pregnant the year before, when my husband and I let birth control go for a couple of months – when he had a good job and full benefits. I believe God was preparing us to be parents. We went back on birth control and went through Imago couples counseling for about 5 months that really helped us strengthen our marriage, perhaps more important than the finances. Though we also had taken a finance class together early on in our marriage too. All are important and helpful.
So, if and when, you conceive is partly up to you, to give God the chance to create the new miracle of life, but only by really knowing God, as Jesus did, and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s good, pleasing and perfect will, can you know when it is time to throw that caution Dr. Ilallah speaks of, “to the wind”.
As a Licensed Massage Therapist certified in Pre-conception/Pre-natal/Post-Partum Massage, I have worked with a number of women who have taken steps in invitro and artificial insemination to conceive as they hope God gives them their desire: a child. Why does God grant some women children and others not who desperately want them and could provide for them? Does He always provide for children everything we think they should have? Why then are some kids kidnapped, abused, maimed by landmines and orphaned by war or AIDS etc.? I have wondered about all this in my recent circumstances and it comes back to 2 basic beliefs:
1. That evil exists and has an originator: Satan who caused Eve to sin by twisting the truth. He still twists minds today and evil results, touching many, many lives.
2. Jesus defeated Satan’s power on by shedding his blood on the cross, in accordance with God’s will and we can believe this, having access to Jesus’ power to resist evil and sin, or not believe it and try to control our own lives which does not allow us to be part of God’s script for our lives.
God is not someone who is far away, having ‘written the script’, takes His hands off and lets everything run its course. He is part of our everyday lives, able to comfort and counsel and empower us to do His will. There is a struggle between good and evil at all times in our lives. When we work in with God, He brings good out of the bad and helps us become more like Him. We can have peace in the midst of turmoil and trust in the midst of torment and hardship. Evil may exist but with God it will not reign.
There are seasons and times in our lives where God requires us to do different things. We need to be aware of His leading so we know when indeed we need to work and do things, and when we need to trust Him to provide in another way. We only have to ask Him and He will show us how, in a way we will understand – even if it is bit by bit.
We are in a relationship of trust and obedience, but one in which a loving Father is in charge, yet doesn’t treat us like robots, but are much-loved children.
The Bible says that we are to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) However, it also says that “it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) God is omniscient (all-knowing), so He knows the end from the beginning, but He does give us free will in choosing. You are not a puppet in God’s hands. Pray and ask Him for help, and then do what He tells you to do. As you follow His directions, He will answer your prayers.
If God really is as great as we think he is, then it is hard to escape the conclusion given by Dr Nasiru Mohammed Ilallah. This is a problem for Christians as well as Muslims. However no one seems able to live consistently with such a belief – including radical Muslims who try to earn favour with Allah through martyrdom (pointless if everything is predestined).
But, if everything is totally predestined, then nothing has any meaning. And if nothing has any meaning then it was pointless for God to create in the first place.
Thus it must be that God is greater than we think he is, greater than we can possibly imagine. So much so that he is able to give real meaning to the thoughts, decisions and actions of his creatures. So the ultimate question, then, is Why did God create?
So how one’s financial position affects the decision to have a child requires a combination of wisdom, and (as Sue & Sheri have explained) reliance on God – who also gives wisdom.
Wa alaykum salaam. God showed us that He very much cares about us when a very special child was born. Both the Bible and the Qur’an describes the virgin conception of this child. Was the purpose of the birth of Jesus just for God to show off his power? The angel said of him that his parents were to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins and also the will call him Immanuel which means God with us.
While Jesus was on earth people could go to him with their sicknesses and problems and he never turned them away but helped them. We can also approach God and talk to Him like we talk to our fathers. We can pour out our worries and fears before him because he listens.
The Bible also relates about a preganant lady who was found in the desert. The angel of Yahweh found her there and told her to call the boy Ishmael for Yahweh has heard of your misery. She named the well where the angel found her “Beer Lahai Roi” which means the “well of the Living One who sees me”.
Nina, I am sure that God will see and hear you when you cry out to Him.
I his Name ,The Most Beneficent, The most Merciful
of late ,poverty has remained a big headache to many citizens of this world to such an extent that many people now think that there is no life without money. i hold a strong belief that nothing comes in a twinkle of an eye. it really takes time with careful planning to realize everything with strong believe in God(subhaanau wata aalaa). Allah makes a provision that His Earth shall be inherited by His faithful servants.
i therefore hold a strong view that with this, so long as we trust in Him and strive to worship Him, everything we request for would be answered because He further adds that He does not fail in His promise. if it is children we need to have, we should pray to Allah for everything needed to accomplish that and have a strong faith in Him and do good. with patience and endurance we shall realize this dream. we should’nt spend our whole life thinking about when we would make plenty money to marry. we should take advantage of any little chance that may prove to us and marry when the time is ripe for us to and i strongly believe that Allah shall take care of us and the children.
Wassalaam
Greetings,
God is love and has always been love. He was love from eternity past, is love today and will be love in eternity future. When we consider what he has done for man, since the beginning, we can certify that it was all love. But man betrayed his love so many times and God always came back to him with a way to bring him back in fellowship with God so that he would enjoy and benefit from the love of God. And in these end times God manifested his love by paying the ultimate price, giving the life of his son as a ransom for us.
Now we are free !!! free from the penalty of sin, free from the claims of the evil one, the accuser, free to enjoy all of God’s blessings.
The Bible declares:
“For ALL the Promises of God in Him [Christ Jesus] are Yea, and in Him Amen,
unto the Glory of God by us”
(2Corinthians 1:20).
This scripture is enough for me to know that all my needs are being granted by God and even more. Because Romans 8:32 declares
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
So we know we have free access and full answer to all our requests as long as we are asking in a rigth attitude. But The Word also declares “He that doesn’t work, let him not eat also”.
So we understand that God’s blessings come to us through work because he says “The worker deserves his wages”.
The idea according to my understanding is this. God wants to bless us, he wants us to be frutfull, to enjoy wealth, health, prosperity, peace, joy, love, but he doesn’t want us to be lazy !!!! And beyond this the Lord wants to use us in his Kingdom, that we may share his authority and dominion in ruling his Kingdom affairs.
For this reason God allows trials to come in our lives in order to develop our character and mentality, so as to give us the mentality of the overcomer. He has already promised us that no trial shall overcome us…
One day we will be assigned a position of authority in God’s Kingdom. God wants us to be ready for it, earth is the training ground for us.
Blessings
Assalamuelaikum! Wow, you were all very helpful, mashaAllah! Thank you very much for your opinions! I do believe that Allah (SWT) will provide for us as he has with everything else in our lives! I always was/am a strong believer that money does not rule our lives. I feel the greatest gift we can give our children is love, care, and faith! Inshallah, may God/Allah, reward you all, and bless you and your families! Thank you again for helping me better understand…assalamuelaikum!
Salaam, Nina. There are many good scriptures from the Bible which people above had already listed so I will not repeat them.
From my own experience, my parents were very poor and yet they decided to have three children. I am the oldest. Growing up I never realized how poor we were (my sister did) because everything was always provided. We even had a dear lady in our church family make dolls for each of us at Christmas because my parents had no money to buy us gifts. Later as I grew older, we became a “foster family,” one who takes in children who are removed from their homes because of unhealthy situations (drugs, abuse, etc.). How could we afford that? We had little space, little money, but lots of love and a heart for children who were in need. I met one girl almost 20 years later who lived with us for a year. She told me, “Living with your family was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Now, as a 34-year old mother of a 14-year old daughter and newly married (my first husband died 9 years ago) I see my friends adopting children from the US, Guatemala and Ukraine. They are not rich, they don’t know where their next jobs are coming from. But they have faith in God, and in His Holy Spirit guiding them. I believe, Nina, I know that I can hear the voice of God speaking to me. I believe that His Spirit longs for all people, for the whole world, to know Him and to experience His love personally. I believe He cares about each person born and wants to provide for them. How does He do this? Through us, His people! I have a friend who is a single mother of two children. She works hard and has had many many problems. She has little support from anyone, because she has not surrounded herself with people who love and obey God. I think it is only a matter of time before she realizes that God does love her and He does not hold her sin against her. Then she will begin to accept God’s blessings through His people and see her life turn around for good.
I will add one scripture to the others’: Romans 8:28-31
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
God does not hold our sins against us, He does not withhold good from us. If He blesses you with a child, then He will provide. And yes, I agree that you should work along as well, because when a person believes she has a promise from God, then she will act as though she has received it. Does that make sense? If I thought I would get married again, then I should start preparing for a husband, yes? I learned to cook, I bought a wedding dress, I saved my money, and I waited on God! Three years later, I was married. And he enjoys my cooking.
God bless you, Nina.
My Christian understanding is, as clearly indicated in Scripture, that God is totally sovereign but man is responsible . These concepts seem in modern thinking to clash; but both operate. Choices do have consequences. Thus IF one takes a certain course of action, some results are inevitable- predestined if one likes to use that term. If one goes out in the rain without protection, one is ‘predestined’ to get wet. I don’t question that Jehovah predetermines certain results; I am not convinced He predetermines who, other than Jesus Christ, brings them into effect. Such is illustrated in our book of Esther in Mordecai’s advice to Esther.
I believe our prayers are answered to the extent what we seek will extend God’s kingdom. So if we seek benefits for ourselves our prayers are unlikely to be answered in the affirmative.
Greetings & Blessings.
Nina,
You’ve got many good responses already. Just remember that when God made man, He had a purpose – that man should “rule” his creation. That’s an awesome responsibility Nina! He made this man (human) male and female and asked them to “subdue the earth” and “have dominion”. Yes, the grasses will grow at the wrong places and its your duty to show them where not to grow. It’s your responsibility to remove dirt in your residence and if you don’t, some bacteria created by God or man will grow around you and you will get sick … You’ll have to depend on God though, for wisdom and direction and a lot of other things. God will guide you into what He has made so you can exploit them to get equipped to “rule” the world He has made. God will glorify Himself in your work
God’s blessings Nina.
Mbah
Thank you very much for your help! xx