Page 25 - The Secret Behind Our Trials

The Great Secret
ment in which they are currently living. As they cannot know the fu-
ture, they may not always be aware of the long-term significance or
usefulness of what they are facing. But Allah, Who created time, is
and therefore sees all from "outside time." Here we come to the real-
ity of destiny, defined as Allah's knowledge of all past and future
events, as well as their results, in one moment. (For a detailed dis-
cussion of this topic, see Harun Yahya's Timelessness and the Reality of
Fate [New Delhi: Goodword Publisher, 2001].)
Thus, Allah knows the beginning and the end of all human tri-
als, the past and the future, as well as the present moment. In His
sight, everything has already been accomplished. However, we
learn about these events only when we experience them at the ap-
propriate time.
Unbelievers cannot understand this "knowledge of destiny,"
and thus cannot be aware of it. It is this knowledge that allows
Muslims to show patience in all of their difficulties and trials. As the
Qur'an says: "No misfortune occurs except by Allah's permission.
Whoever believes in Allah—He will guide his heart. Allah has
knowledge of all things" (Surat at-Taghabun, 11), believers live in
the comfort of knowing that whatever happens to them is the result
of destiny.
As a mercy from Him, Allah has created various trials for be-
lievers and then made them easy to endure, provided that they re-
main faithful to Him and put themselves in His hands. Those
Muslims who truly believe and sincerely submit to Him see a lesson
in the constant change that appears to them, and they contemplate it
eagerly and with thankfulness. Similar to someone who sits com-
fortably in a theater watching a movie, they follow with joyful trust
the destiny prepared for them. Sometimes these scenes are full of ac-
tivity or frightening; other times they may be pleasant and serene.

23