Trusting Allaah and using available means do not contradict each other

16-5-2011 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the ruling on the saying, “Draw the course of your life by yourself”? Does it not denote ignoring the will of Allaah?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

The statement you mentioned does not contradict belief in Divine decree and the will of Allaah The Almighty. It denotes that the person should be encouraged to utilize all the means available, which means that a person should utilize all the available means in order to reach the goals and objectives upon which his life is based. On the authority of Abu Hurayrah the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, urged us to be keen on achieving that which benefits us while seeking the help of Allaah The Almighty. [Muslim]

This Hadeeth (narration) combines the utilization of all available means and entrusting one’s affairs to Allaah The Almighty. It is well-known that Allaah The Almighty affirms that the slave has a will. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {For whoever wills among you to take a right course.} [Quran 81:28] A Muslim should believe that nothing happens without the Will of Allaah The Almighty; therefore, Allaah The Almighty followed this verse with another one in which He Says (what means): {And you do not will except that Allaah wills - Lord of the worlds.} [Quran 81:29]

Allaah Knows best.