Tranquility Before the Divine Will
The greatest source of peace in a believer’s worldly life is the heartfelt acceptance and submission to the decrees of fate (qadar) as ordained by Allah. Humans often try to direct events with their limited intellect, leading them into conflict with divine will. However, Shaykh Geylani strongly criticizes this situation, warning, “Submit to fate; otherwise, you will be thrown down.” The servant must demonstrate complete submission to every decree brought about by fate, whether favorable or unfavorable. Even in sickness, poverty, or difficult nights that tarnish honor, patiently awaiting the healing and illuminating dawn of Allah is a defining characteristic of perfect faith.
Abandoning Questions of ‘Why’ and ‘How’
Entering into questioning the actions and decrees of Allah with “why” or “how” weakens faith in the heart and leads a person to rebellion. The Exalted Allah has the right to dispose of His dominion as He pleases, and He is never held accountable for what He does. Shaykh Geylani, who advises “Sleep under the riverbed of fate,” emphasizes that humans should set aside their own precautions and witness the manifestation of divine qadar. A person who believes that everything has its time will not rebel against a blessing arriving late or a calamity lasting long; he quietly waits at the door of Allah’s mercy.
The Security Provided by the Station of Acceptance
A servant who demonstrates acceptance of fate builds an impenetrable fortress within his inner world. If a person realizes their own impotence and entrusts all their affairs to Allah, the powerful hand of Allah will protect and elevate them. The one who rebels against fate is actually shattering their own soul and depriving themselves of eternal peace. Gnostics who understand the secret that “the judgment given by the past (fate) is not against us” see divine wisdom and a means of training behind every affliction. This state of complete submission purifies the person from all sorrows, stress, and fears of the world, leading them to the bliss of being with Allah at every moment.