Since this topic often causes confusion, let’s try to explain it a bit.
First Point:
Surah At-Takwir, Verse 29: “And you do not will except that Allah wills—Lord of the worlds.”
Nothing happens unless our Lord wills it. In fact, created beings cannot even desire anything unless He wills it…
Second Point:
Whether acted upon or not, there are desires that Allah loves or dislikes. Among these, there are those He permits to come to fruition and those He does not.
Thus, from this statement, four situations emerge:
- Deeds that Allah loves and permits:
All good, beautiful, and righteous deeds, whether explicitly mentioned in the Quran or not. - Deeds that Allah loves but does not permit:
Good, beautiful, and righteous deeds we wish to do but cannot bring to fruition due to a lack of material or spiritual means. - Deeds that Allah dislikes but permits:
All evil, ugly, and corrupt deeds, whether explicitly mentioned in the Quran or not. - Deeds that Allah dislikes and does not permit:
All sins we wish to commit but cannot due to a lack of material or spiritual means.
From the first two, we gain rewards, and from the last two, we incur sins. Even if we do not act upon a good or evil deed, we will be held accountable for merely desiring or contemplating it.
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 284: “To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.”
In fact, sins allow us to see the faults within ourselves. Only when they manifest as thoughts or actions do we become aware of them. Evidence for or against us is formed. We lose the right to object by saying, “I am not in such a state.” In this case, we either strive to correct ourselves through repentance or persist in stubbornness and sin. The main goal is to realize our weakness and turn our faces to our Lord. As we repent and correct ourselves, we prepare for Paradise.
Here are a few verses to further enlighten our minds on this matter:
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 251: “So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingship and wisdom and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allah checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allah is the possessor of bounty for the worlds.”
Surah Ash-Shura, Verse 27: “And if Allah were to extend provision for His servants, they would surely commit tyranny throughout the earth. But He sends down in due measure whatever He wills. Indeed, He is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His servants.”
In summary, understanding that our desires and actions are ultimately subject to Allah’s will helps us navigate our spiritual journey, striving for righteousness and seeking His forgiveness and guidance.