Is it true that supplication (du’a) can change destiny (qadar) or decree (qada)? For example, when a child is born, the angel writes in the book whether he will be happy or miserable. Can supplication change misery to happiness if he is destined to be miserable?
Answer:
The apparent texts indicate that misery and happiness are firmly decreed by Allah and cannot be changed. Lifespans, death, and provisions are all firmly decreed. However, there are conditional decrees based on actions that a person performs, which Allah knew in advance that the person would do. Conditional decrees depend on actions such as being dutiful to one’s parents or maintaining family ties. These actions can lead to certain outcomes. For example, righteousness is a cause for increased lifespan, and maintaining family ties is a cause for blessings. Conversely, sins and misdeeds can lead to the removal of blessings and shortened lifespans.
In summary, there are conditional decrees that occur based on their causes, and there are firm decrees that do not change, such as misery, happiness, and fixed lifespans. Some scholars believe that everything can be changed because Allah says: “Allah erases what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book” (Quran 13:39). Allah has commanded supplication and established causes, and He may attach misery to one thing and happiness to another. He is Wise and Knowledgeable and knows what will happen to a person.
If a person strives in obedience to Allah and asks Him to change his state from misery to happiness, this may happen, and the decree may not be absolute but conditional. It is narrated from some of the Salaf and from Umar that he used to say: “O Allah, if You have written me among the miserable, then write me among the happy.” This was said by a group of scholars.
The well-known opinion among scholars, and the majority, is the first one: that misery, happiness, and lifespans are firmly decreed. This is supported by the authentic hadith of Ali, where the companions asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allah, is what we do something already decreed and finished, or is it something future?” He said, “It is something already decreed and finished.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, then why do we act?” He said, “Act, for everyone is facilitated for what he was created for. As for the happy, they are facilitated for the deeds of happiness, and as for the miserable, they are facilitated for the deeds of misery.” Then the Prophet recited: “As for he who gives and fears Allah and believes in the best reward, We will ease him toward ease. But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need and denies the best reward, We will ease him toward difficulty” (Quran 92:5-10).
The correct view is the opinion of the majority: that the decreed matters are known by Allah and finished. These do not change, but Allah guides people to the causes that lead them to what is decreed for them. The happy are guided to happiness, and the miserable are guided to misery. There is no power or strength except with Allah; everyone is facilitated for what he was created for.
Question: Is this supplication from Umar or his son?
Answer: As far as I remember, it is narrated from Umar.
Question: The hadith that says, “O Allah, Controller of the hearts,” and that the hearts of the servants are between two fingers of the Most Merciful?
Answer: This does not contradict what Allah has already known. He is the Controller of the hearts according to His prior knowledge.
Question: Is there a hadith that says calamity and supplication wrestle between the heavens and the earth?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Is this hadith authentic?
Answer: It is good, yes, but it does not contradict what Allah has already known. Everyone is guided to what is decreed for him.
