Evil not attributed to Allâh

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Evil not attributed to Allâh

Khaled Fahmy


We believe that evil should not be attributed to Allâh, due to His perfect mercy and wisdom. The Prophet said: “And evil is not attributable to You” [Muslim]. Thus Allâh’s decree by itself has no evil whatsoever, because it is coming from mercy and wisdom. Evil may, however, result from some of His decrees, because the Prophet said in the supplication for gunut which he taught to al-Hasan: “And protect us from the evil of what You decreed” [Tirmidhi and others]. Here, the Prophet attributed evil to what He decreed. Despite this, evil in His decree is not pure evil. It is rather evil in one respect and good in another, or it is evil in one case and good in another. Thus corruption in the land resulting from drought, disease, poverty, and fear is evil, but it is good in another respect. Allâh, the Exalted said: “Corruption has appeared on the land and sea for what men’s hands have earned. Allâh has ordained this for men, so that they may taste some of what they have done, in order that they may turn back [from evil]” [30:41]. Cutting off the thief’s hand or stoning the adulterer is an evil thing for the thief and the adulterer, but it is good for them in one respect, because it is a purification for them so that the punishment of this life and the hereafter are not combined for them. These punishments are good in another respect: their application protects property, honour, and relationships.


Benefits
This sublime belief, which includes those great principles, bears numerous and useful types of fruits for whoever believes in it.


Virtues of Belief in Allâh:
Belief in Allâh, His names, and His attributes instils in the individual the love and glorification of Allâh that result in his performing Allâh’s instructions and avoiding His prohibitions. These are the means of achieving ultimate happiness in this life and the hereafter for both the individual and the society: “Whoever, male or female, does righteous deed, while believing, We shall assuredly grant him a goodly life, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds” [16:97].


Virtues of Belief in Angels:
Appreciating the dignity of Allâh, His might, and His sovereignty. Gratitude toward Allâh because He puts some of the angels in charge of His servants, recording their deeds and other things that benefit them. Love and admiration for the angels because of what they are doing, namely, worshipping Allâh in the best possible
manner and praying for the believers.


Virtues of Belief in the Books:
Appreciating Allâh’s mercy and care for His people in that He sent down a book to every nation for its guidance. Appreciating Allâh’s wisdom, for He revealed in these books to every nation that which suits them. The glorious Qu’ran is the final book and it is suitable to all people at all times until the Day of Judgement. Showing gratitude for Allâh’s mercy in revealing these books.


Virtues of Belief in the Messengers:
Appreciating Allâh’s mercy and care for His people for sending them those great messengers to guide them to the straight path. Thanking Allâh for this great favour. Loving and respecting the prophets and praising them in what they deserve, because they are Allâh’s messengers and His choice among His people. They worshipped Allâh according to the best of their ability, conveyed His message to mankind, gave sincere advice to the people, and bore patiently whatever hurt they received.


Virtues of Belief in the Day of Judgement:
Endeavour to obey Allâh to get the reward of that day and to avoid any disobedience to him for fear of His punishment. A consolation for the believer for whatever he misses of worldly enjoyment by what he hopes to gain of blessings and reward of the hereafter.


Virtues of Belief in Fate and the Divine Decree:
Dependence on Allâh when doing any action, because both the cause and effect are the result of Allâh’s decree. Ease of mind and comfort, because when the individual knows that everything is by Allâh’s decree and that mishaps are going to take place anyway, his soul will be at ease and his heart will be satisfied with Allâh’s decree. No one has a more comfortable life, worry-free soul, and stronger confidence than a believer in fate. Freedom from arrogance when a goal is achieved, because this is a blessing from Allâh through what He decreed of the causes of good and success. The individual should thank Allâh for that and free himself from arrogance.


Freedom from worry and boredom in case of failure or mishap, because that is by Allâh’s decree, the One who possesses the Heavens and the Earth. Since that is going to happen anyway, the individual should be patient and hope for the reward from Allâh. Allâh points to the last two virtues in the following verse: “No misfortune can happen on earth or in yourselves but is recorded in a decree before. We bring it into existence, that is really easy for Allâh; that you may not grieve for what escapes you, nor rejoice in what has come to you. Allâh does not love any vainglorious boaster” [57:22-3].


We pray to Allâh, the Exalted, to reward us for this belief, to realise for us its fruits, to increase our blessings, to keep us on the right path to which He has guided us, and to bestow on us a blessing from Him. He is indeed the Giver. Praise and gratitude be to Allâh, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be on Prophet Muhammad, his family, his Companions, and those who rightly follow them.