Page 93 - Timelessness and the Reality of Fate

Relativity of Time and The Reality of Destiny 91

mined in advance everything that happens to a person; He has commanded
that we not be sorry for the things that happen to us, and be self-satisfied by
the blessings that we receive. The difficulties that human beings experience,
together with their wealth and success, is determined by Allah. All these
things are in the destiny predetermined by our Lord to test human beings.
As it is revealed in one verse, "... Allah's command is a pre-ordained
decree." (Surat al-Ahzab: 38)
In another verse, Allah reveals that "We have created all things in due
measure." (Surat al-Qamar: 49) Not only human beings but also all things
animate and inanimate, the sun, the moon, mountains and trees have their
destinies determined by Allah. For example, a broken antique vase was bro-
ken at the moment determined by its destiny. While it was being made, it
was determined who would use this centuries-old vase, as well as in which
corner of which house and with which other objects it would stand. The
designs on the vase and it colors were determined in advance in its destiny.
It was known in Allah's memory on which day, which hour, which minute,
by whom and how it would be broken. The first moment the vase was
made, the first moment it was placed in the window for sale, the first
moment it was placed in the corner of the house, the moment it was broken
into pieces, in short, every moment in the cen-
turies-long life of this vase, was present in
Allah's Sight as one single moment. Whereas

Everything has its own appointed destiny. For
example, an antique vase that breaks, does so at
the moment ordained in its destiny. Who will use
this vase, dating back hundreds of years, where it
will stand in his house and what other objects
will stand alongside it are ordained long before it
is even manufactured.