It represents the unfolding of divine will in a conditional framework...

It represents the unfolding of divine will in a conditional framework, where supplication , charity, piety, and sin may influence what is written in the mutable tablet, while the eternal decree remains unchanged in the preserved tablet (Lawh al-Mahfūdh).

While explaining the difference between Bada’ in humans and God, Shaykh Muzaffar writes: “The meaning of Bada’ in relation to the affairs of creatures can be defined as arriving at an opinion about an issue while this opinion was not present in the past or, in other words, concluding an idea that was absent until that time.

An example of the natural meaning of Bada’ (i.e., in relation to all things created) is that the opinion of somebody about a certain act may be changed because he has concluded a result that he did not know before, according to which he must change his opinion and idea about that act. Therefore, it looks wise to leave doing that act after learning about the true interest and showing regret for the previous opinion.

Bada’ in this sense is impossible for Almighty Allah, because it is part of ignorance and imperfection—two matters that are impossible for Almighty Allah to hold, as is confirmed by the belief of the Imamiyyah Shia.” [3] Laying stress on this faith, the Imamiyyah Shia adhere to the following rule stated by Imam Ja`far al-Ṣādiq (a.s): “ Whoever claims that Almighty Allah changes a previous decision (i.e., based on bada’) on account of regret (at a previous action) is decided by us as having disbelieved in Allah the All-great [4] .” Allamah Shaykh Fazlullah Zanjani says: “…Whenever we associate this word [Bada’] with God, it means that such a matter has come from God, which we never expected.

Or God made such a thing possible, which people never thought of. And on this same basis, we have to believe this meaning only. All the words of Bada used in the Quran and the legitimacy of its usage (in the same meaning) are due to those verses of the Book of Allah in which the usage of this word is associated with God.

For example, Allah says, “…and what they never thought of shall become plain to them from Allah [5] .” [6] Reason for Naming Bada’ A question that may come to mind is that why is this belief termed as Bada’ and not something else? This simple answer is that this term is specifically used in both the Quran and traditions to describe how God’s knowledge is distinct from that of angels and special creatures He has appointed to manage the world.