Divine Will and Divine Approval

Divine Will and Divine Approval

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad
Question:

Salam Alaykum Sayyidi,

I always believed anything that happened or will come to pass is solely what Allah wanted, whether we liked or disliked it, regardless of whether we felt “responsible”. This understanding, MashAllah, eased me through many trials which may otherwise have crushed my Faith.

I thought asserting that anything which happened was NOT what Allah wanted would be clear, instant kufr. But having disclosed this stance to several mureeds (who said it was incorrect) I am now concerned I may still be tainted by blasphemous doctrines I picked up when I was a Takfeeri.

Please can you help me grasp the best understanding of this matter. Thank You Dear Teachers and please forgive me.

Answer:

`Alaykum Salam,

It is important to understand the distinction between what Allah wills and what Allah loves. As the Maturidi master Siraj al-Din `Ali ibn `Uthman al-Ushi (d. 569) said in his poem Manzumat Bad’ al-Amali (verse 4):

[Allah is] the One Who wills both goodness and ugly evil,
however, He does not approve of wrong at all!

مُرِيدُ الْخَيْرِ وَالشَّرِّ الْقَبِيحِ
وَلَكِنْ لَيْسَ يَرْضَى بِالْمُحَالِ

The Divine Will (irada, mashi’a) encompasses absolutely everything that takes place in creation. Nothing can take place without His Will, including all the acts of sinners. However, the Divine Love (mahabba) and Divine Approval (Rida) apply only to what Allah Most High commands, not to evil.

Thus, if by your phrase “what Allah wants” you meant His Will, you were quite right; otherwise not.

Hajj Gibril Haddad