Chapter 8 - On The Necessity of a Believer's Submission to Destiny

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “Who does not like to sleep through the night without getting sick?” Everybody said hurriedly: “O' Prophet of God! Teach us how to do that. He said: “Do you want to be like a lost donkey?” They said: “O' Prophet of God! No we do not want that.” The Prophet (a.s) said: “Do you not like to be continually suffering from calamities as penalty for your sins? I swear by the One who controls my life that God will send a calamity to a believer only if He wants to honor him, but he cannot attain the rank that God wants to give him through his own good deeds alone, and can attain it only if he suffers from a calamity.”

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “God will do what He has destined, and acts justly in implementing His decrees. No one can revert what He has destined or put off His decrees. The best of God's creatures are those who submit to God's decrees. God's decrees will be implemented for whoever recognizes God the Almighty and is content with divine destiny, and God will increase his rewards. On the other hand, God's decree will also be implemented for whoever does not like divine destiny, and his rewards would also be wasted.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The dearest people to me are those who do not display their bad feelings when they get upset about something and do not look happy when they are pleased with something.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “How does a believer claim to believe when he is not pleased with his destiny, and belittles himself while his destiny is in the hands of God? I guarantee that the supplications of whoever only thinks about pleasing God will be favorably accepted.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Inspect your hearts. If you see that God has purified them of fear and anxiety about your deeds, then ask God for whatever you want.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God will not destine anything for a believer unless it is good for him. It would be good for him even if he is torn into pieces, or becomes the owner of everything from the East to the West.”

Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “If anyone becomes neglectful of God, he should not accuse God for his delayed income or accuse Him regarding divine destiny.”

Imam Reza (a.s) was questioned about the orphan's treasure (mentioned in the Holy Quran). He said: “That treasure was a golden plate on which it was written: “In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is God's Prophet.” I am amazed how one who is certain about death can be happy, and one who is certain about divine destiny can be sad. I am amazed how one who sees the world, and sees how the tables turn on people, can be so attached to this world.” It is not proper for one who has recognized God to get upset whenever there is a delay in his daily bread, or to accuse God regarding His decrees.”

“I am amazed at believers, since whatever God determines for them is good, whether it pleases them or upsets them. If God sends a calamity down upon a believer, it is penalty for his sins. If God gives him something and honors him, it is a gift.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “I am amazed at believers, since God will only destine what is good for them. If God makes a believer rich, it is good for him. If God sends a calamity down upon him, it is good for him. If God makes him the owner of whatever lies between the East and the West, it is good for him. Even if he is torn into pieces, it is good for him. There is good in any of God's decrees for a believer.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Imam Ali (a.s) said the following when he prayed: “O' Lord! Help me succeed in relying upon You, and leaving my affairs to You, and being content with what You have destined for me, and submit to your orders, so that I do not prefer to speed up what You delay, or put off what You speed up. O' Lord of the two worlds!”

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “We really like to enjoy our family, relatives and servants. It is our right to ask God not to descend calamities upon us. But whenever God destines something, we are not allowed to like what God does not like.”