Knowing One’s Place Before the Divine Will
Human beings, when faced with events, hardships, or illnesses, tend to seek a cause with their limited intellect. To rebel by saying “Why me? Why did this happen?” when things go wrong is the pinnacle of spiritual ignorance. Abdülkadir Geylani (q.s.) teaches that the first etiquette a servant should adopt before Allah’s absolute and infinite will is silence and submission. “There are no words like ‘why’ or ‘wherefore.’ There is no opposition or dispute. There is only obedience and affirmation.” For nothing that happens in the universe is coincidental; there is “no error in destiny.” The absolute Creator has the right to dispose of His dominion as He pleases, and for servants to attempt to question Him is a great act of impudence.
The Creator’s Lack of Accountability, The Servant’s Responsibility
According to Islamic belief, Allah Almighty is the absolute sovereign. In the Noble Quran, it is stated, “He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned about what they do” (Al-Anbiya, 23), drawing a sharp line between Creator and creation. While interpreting this verse, Geylani (q.s.) says, “He enriches, or makes one needy if He wills. He is the Beneficent. He gives life, He takes it away,” thereby closing all doors to objection. Man cannot attain with his limited intellect to the secrets of Allah’s eternal knowledge. The advice, “Do not waste your time with words like ‘why,’ ‘how will it be,’” shows that a servant should spend their energy on fulfilling their duties of servitude rather than questioning destiny.
The Serenity and Freedom Given by Tawakkul (Reliance on God)
A believer who submits to fate and removes the question “Why?” from his tongue and heart attains the greatest spiritual freedom in the world. If a servant stops struggling in the ocean of destiny and surrenders himself to Allah’s waves of will, those waves will not drown him, but rather carry him to the shore of safety. Seeing the manifestation of Allah’s actions in everything that happens frees people from transient fears, stress, and depression. Worldly concerns such as praise or blame, decrease or increase in sustenance, disappear with a sense of destiny.
Being a Servant in the Station of Acceptance
Ultimately, the servant attains the secret, “Destiny has drawn me.” When he transcends himself and his desires and reaches Allah’s purification, the fire of objection completely extinguishes. That servant learns to regard even the affliction that befalls him as a blessing. Because he knows that Allah tests those He loves. Those who are patient with the bitter aspects of destiny and instead of saying “Why?” show acceptance by saying “You are the Judge, O my Lord,” earn the right to become Allah’s most distinguished and noble guests.