Was this question introduced in the teachings of Islam later...

Was this question introduced in the teachings of Islam later, as asserted by some European historians? Or is it that the nature of their belief in fate and destiny was such that it was not inconsistent with their faith in liberty and responsibility? In other worlds, did they believe that one’s destiny was not absolutely beyond his control and that he could change it. If so, what was the basis of their thinking?

Leaving aside the basis of their belief, let us see what the Qur’an and the Imams say in this respect. Then we will see what way of thinking we should logically adobpt. Verses of The Qur’an Some verses of the Holy Qur’an expressly support the rule of destiny. They state that nothing happens in the world without the Will of Allah and that every event is already recorded in the ‘Book’.

A few of the Qur’anic verses to this effect are quoted: “Every affliction that falls on the earth or yourselves, already exists in a Book before it is brought into being by us. No doubt that is easy for Allah to accomplish” . ( Surah al-Hadid, 57:22) **“** With Him are the keys of the invisible. None but He knows them. And He knows what is in the land and the sea.

Not a leaf falls, but he knows it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, nor anything green or withered but is recorded in a clear Book”. ( Surah al-An’am, 6:59) It is often seen that in the sentence, “there is nothing green or withered, but it is recorded in a clear Book”, the word, Book is taken to be referring to the Qur’an, but it may be said with certainly that here the word, ‘Book’ does not refer to it.

So far as we know, not a single reliable expounder of the Qur’an has interpreted the verse that way. “They said: Do we have any say in the matter? Muhammad, tell them: All matters belong to Allah. They try to bide within themselves what they do not reveal to you, saying: Had we had the matter in our hands, we would not have been slain there. Say: Even though you had been in your houses, those appointed to be slain would have been slain by your sworn enemies while you were in your beds”.

( Surah Ale Imran, 3:154) “We hold the store of every thing and we send it down in an appointed measure”. ( Surah al-Hijri, 15:21) “Allah has set a measure for all things”. ( Surah al-Talaq, 65:2) “Surely We created everything by measure”. ( Surah al-Qamar, 54:49) “Then it is for Allah to have in error whom He will and to guide whom He pleases. He is the Mighty, the Wise”. ( Surah Ibrahim, 14:4) “Say: Allah!