THE SIXTY-EIGHTH DISCOURSE On the words of Allah (Exalted is he): “Every day He is about some business.”

When God grants the prayer of a servant of His and gives him what he asks for, His own purpose does not thereby become frustrated, nor does it affect the writing of which the pen has become dried (that is the final decree of Providence) nor that which has already occurred to the Divine knowledge. On the contrary, such a prayer is in conformity with the object of the Lord and occurs at the right time. So the acceptance of the prayer and the fulfilment of the need take place in due time and in accordance with a set plan which the Destiny has arranged beforehand in the beginning of time, and which have been waiting to see fulfilment at the appointed hour. This is what the people of knowledge have said in explaining the Divine word: Every moment He is in a state of glory (55:29). This means that God drives the allottments of Destiny towards their appointed times. Thus God does not give any person anything in this world by mere prayer proceeding from him, and similarly He does not turn away anything from him through mere prayer; and it is said that the saying of the Holy Prophet to this effect means that the decree of fate is not averted except by that prayer with regard to which it is decreed that it will so avert such a decree. In the same manner, no one will enter paradise in the life hereafter through his good deeds alone but by the mercy of God. However, the servants of God will be given ranks in the paradise according to their deeds. There is a saying of Lady Ayesha (may God be pleased with her) that she asked the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him); "Will anyone enter paradise through his good deeds alone? The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied: "No, but by the mercy of God." Then she said, "And not even you?" So he said, "Yes, not even I, unless God covers me by His mercy." And with this he placed his hand on his head. He did this to indicate that no one has any right against God, nor is He under any obligation to fulfil any promise. He rather does what He wills, chastises whom He wills, forgives whom He wills, shows mercy on whom He wills, bestows favour on whom He wills, and He has absolute power to do whatever He likes. He cannot be questioned with regard to what He does, whereas His servants will be questioned, and He gives sustenance to whom He wills by His favour and mercy, and withholds His favours from whomever He likes in exercise of His justice. It cannot be otherwise, since the creation from the Divine throne down to the very bottom of this earth, which is at the seventh layer downwards of this planet, is in His possession and is His creation. There is no master for them except Him and no creator for them besides Him. He has asked: Is there any Creator besides Allah! (35:3) And He has also asked. Is there a god with Allah! (27:63). And He has further said; Knowest thou anyone equal to Him? (19:65) He also says: Say: O Allah! Owner of the Kingdom, Thou givest the kingdom to whom Thou pleasest, and takest away the kingdom from whom Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest. In Thine hand is the good. Surely, Thou art Possessor of power over all things... Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest (3:25,26)