ARE MAN'S DESTINY PREDETERMINED

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ {2:186}

[Q2:186] Wa izaa sa alaka 'ibaadee 'annnee fa innee qareebun ujeebu da'wataddaa'i izaa da'aani falyastajeeboo lee walyu minoo beela 'allahum yarshudoon.
[Q2:186] And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.

[Q2:186] Dan apabila hamba-hambaKu bertanya kepadamu mengenai Aku maka (beritahu kepada mereka): sesungguhnya Aku (ALLAH (SwT)) sentiasa hampir (kepada mereka); Aku perkenankan permohonan orang yang berdoa apabila ia berdoa kepadaKu. Maka hendaklah mereka menyahut seruanku (dengan mematuhi perintahKu), dan hendaklah mereka beriman kepadaKu supaya mereka menjadi baik serta betul.

ALLAH (SWT) is very near, nearer than the jugular vein. AWARENESS OF THIS FACT SERVES TWO PURPOSES –FIRSTLY it stops man from drifting towards evil, and SECONDLY it gives him heart and confidence to rely upon ALLAH (SWT) alone, independent of all created beings, making him understand the ever-living reality of ALLAH (SWT) who alone controls the whole universe and that which takes place in it.

©  He answers the prayer of every sincere supplicant when he calls on Him. ALLAH (SWT) hears every cry of help and gives to His devotee that which is best in his interest, known to His infinite wisdom alone. Acceptance of prayer does not mean immediate fulfilment of whatever is sought.

"So they should answer My call" means man should carry out ALLAH (SWT)'s will expressed through His commandments to regulate and discipline the life of this world.

"And believe in Me" means awareness of the ever-living presence of the almighty and all-knowing Lord creator, equal to or like unto whom is no one.

TO GET THAT WHICH IS DESIRED MAN [1]has to make efforts and [2]employ all the means at his disposal, arranged and provided by ALLAH (SWT), and [3]then invoke Him to let the labour bear fruit. [*]To use the available means properly, [*]to apply the native faculties, and [*]to pay close attention he needs guidance for which he invokes the highest authorities from whom nothing is hidden and for whom nothing is impossible. THROUGH PRAYERS GUIDANCE IS RECEIVED AS TO HOW THE EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO FULFIL THE DESIRES.

»    The merciful Lord who is also All-wise knows what is profitable (An-am 6:41).

»    Sometimes ALLAH (SWT) puts His devoted servants to test and trial (Baqarah 2:155). In this sense man's efforts and his prayers are inseparable.

THE ACT OF INVOCATION HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY ALLAH (SWT) HIMSELF, because it helps to make the efforts of man fruitful. This passage dismisses the fatalist view that man's destiny is predetermined, regardless of his actions; this verse not only recommends prayer but also promises a response, showing that prayer which is a human action, has its effect on determining the destiny. THE PRAYER TO WHICH RESPONSE IS PROMISED SHOULD BE A SINCERE CRY FROM THE DEPTH OF THE HEART. IF THERE IS PREDESTINATION AS THE FATALISTS SAY, THEN THIS VERSE AND VERSE 1:5 OF AL FATIHAH BECOME MEANINGLESS.

v  Imam Ali ibne Abi Talib says:

Put faith in ALLAH (SWT). Seek His protection.

Direct your prayers, requests, solicitations and supplications to Him and Him alone.

To give as well as to withhold lies in His (only in His) power.

Ask as much of His favours as you can.

Know that ALLAH (SWT) owns the treasures of the heavens and the earth. Not only He has given permission to ask for His mercy and favours, but also has promised to listen to your prayers. He has not appointed guards to prevent your prayers reaching Him. Invoke His help in difficulties and distress. Implore Him to grant you long life and sound health. Pray to Him for prosperity.

Think over it that by simply granting you the privilege of praying for His favours and mercy, He has handed over the keys of His treasures to you. Whenever you are in need, pray, and He gives His favours and blessings.

Sometimes you find requests are not immediately granted. Do not be disappointed. Fulfilment of desires rests with the true purpose or intention of the prayer. More often fulfilment is delayed because the merciful Lord wants to bestow upon you suitable rewards. In the meantime bear patiently hardships, believing sincerely in His help. You will get better favours, because, unknowingly, you may ask for things which are really harmful to you. Many of your requests, if granted, may bring eternal damnation.

So, at times, withholding fulfilment is a blessing in disguise.