Life has its own balanced system in the universe. This applies to man's reality at both individual and collective levels. Every phenomenon has a cause. Every existing object has its special law. This renders the course of events in life planned in all situations according to circumstances.
Man should be aware that all his situations and actions are subject to Divine predestination. This predestination preordains everything according to the relation between causes and their effects. There is no such thing as an emergent state or a coincidence in life. This is confirmed by Allah’s saying:
"No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being." Surah Al-Hadid (57:22)
This verse refers to life's ordeals that stir sad emotions. These sorrows result from what affects a man's health, family, and money. The phrase "in a register" refers to what Allah predestines and records regarding the events of existence. It is the unseen knowledge Allah is aware of beforehand. It is He who makes it existent with all its secrets and situations. The words of the Book stand for Divine knowledge "before We bring it into existence," meaning before creation, considering all the limits of its existence.
Allah also says:
"Indeed that is easy for Allah." Surah Al-Hadid (57:22)
This refers to the way He runs life. Things happen according to His will through His absolute power over everything. The Quran then highlights a very important humanistic issue:
"So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you." Surah Al-Hadid (57:23)
One should not surrender to devastating sorrow. One should not be overwhelmed by overpowering joy when gain or loss takes place. This is based on the feeling of shock and surprise. One should face any issue knowing that negative or positive results are natural in the system of existence. Both gains and losses are subject to their voluntary and involuntary causes. There is no room for anything emergent or surprising at the core of things. If the causes of an event take place, the event itself must happen through cosmic inevitability. This is what Allah has predestined, just like the system of nature itself.
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said in his book Nahjul Balaghah: "Asceticism is summed up between two phrases in the Quran, where Allah, the Most Exalted, says: 'So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you.' Therefore, one who neither grieves about past losses nor is overjoyed about the possessions he is granted has perfected his asceticism from both sides."
In light of this, man ought to act modestly. He should be poised in his feelings. He should trust Divine predestination regarding his sustenance. He should not be overwhelmed by joy so it does not turn into showing off, arrogance, or haughtiness. It should not lead to scared selfishness, stinginess, or boasting. He does not take personal credit for anything. It is Allah who predestines what befalls him. He should know that what afflicted him could not have missed him. What missed him was not destined to afflict him. He is subject to the movement of existence predestined by Allah.
Life has its own balanced system in the universe. This applies to man's reality at both individual and collective levels. Every phenomenon has a cause. Every existing object has its special law. This renders the course of events in life planned in all situations according to circumstances.
Man should be aware that all his situations and actions are subject to Divine predestination. This predestination preordains everything according to the relation between causes and their effects. There is no such thing as an emergent state or a coincidence in life. This is confirmed by Allah’s saying:
"No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being." Surah Al-Hadid (57:22)
This verse refers to life's ordeals that stir sad emotions. These sorrows result from what affects a man's health, family, and money. The phrase "in a register" refers to what Allah predestines and records regarding the events of existence. It is the unseen knowledge Allah is aware of beforehand. It is He who makes it existent with all its secrets and situations. The words of the Book stand for Divine knowledge "before We bring it into existence," meaning before creation, considering all the limits of its existence.
Allah also says:
"Indeed that is easy for Allah." Surah Al-Hadid (57:22)
This refers to the way He runs life. Things happen according to His will through His absolute power over everything. The Quran then highlights a very important humanistic issue:
"So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you." Surah Al-Hadid (57:23)
One should not surrender to devastating sorrow. One should not be overwhelmed by overpowering joy when gain or loss takes place. This is based on the feeling of shock and surprise. One should face any issue knowing that negative or positive results are natural in the system of existence. Both gains and losses are subject to their voluntary and involuntary causes. There is no room for anything emergent or surprising at the core of things. If the causes of an event take place, the event itself must happen through cosmic inevitability. This is what Allah has predestined, just like the system of nature itself.
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said in his book Nahjul Balaghah: "Asceticism is summed up between two phrases in the Quran, where Allah, the Most Exalted, says: 'So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you.' Therefore, one who neither grieves about past losses nor is overjoyed about the possessions he is granted has perfected his asceticism from both sides."
In light of this, man ought to act modestly. He should be poised in his feelings. He should trust Divine predestination regarding his sustenance. He should not be overwhelmed by joy so it does not turn into showing off, arrogance, or haughtiness. It should not lead to scared selfishness, stinginess, or boasting. He does not take personal credit for anything. It is Allah who predestines what befalls him. He should know that what afflicted him could not have missed him. What missed him was not destined to afflict him. He is subject to the movement of existence predestined by Allah.