A summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah
Belief in divine decree and taking the means
This is from Allah's established ways in His creation.
Linking consequences to their causes.
Whatever befalls on earth by divine decree
is, in principle and generally,
linked to the causes that necessitate it.
This is why Allah guided us to take the means
in matters of our worldly life and our hereafter.
As Allah the Almighty said to Maryam
peace be upon her, when the pangs of childbirth came to her,
“And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.” (19:25)
“And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.” (19:25)
and Allah was certainly capable
of sending down the ripe date to her without any action
on her part. And He commanded us to take
precautions against the enemy, saying:
"O you who have believed, take your precautions."
“O ye who believe! Take your precautions, then advance the proven ones, or advance all together.” (4:71)
And He is capable of protecting us
from it without any action on our part.
This is regarding our worldly affairs.
And likewise is the case in matters of our religion.
Allah the Almighty said: "And those who
“While as for those who walk aright, He addeth to their guidance, and giveth them their protection (against evil).” (47:17)
their piety." And Allah the Almighty also said:
“And (remember) when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Why persecute ye me, when ye well know that I am Allah's messenger unto you? So when they went astray Allah sent their hearts astray. And Allah guideth not the evil-living folk.” (61:5)
their hearts. Allah the Almighty has decreed
that the reward for a good deed is another good deed following it,
just as the punishment for a sin
is another sin following it.
Therefore, taking the means,
whether to bring about what is desired or to avert what is feared,
does not contradict belief in divine decree.
Rather, it is also part of divine decree.
May Allah be pleased with him, when he refused to enter the Levant
upon learning of the plague's spread there.
He was told, "Are you fleeing from Allah's decree?"
He replied, "Yes,
we flee from Allah's decree to Allah's decree."
Agreed upon.