‘Ali reported God’s messenger as saying, “The place which everyone of you will occupy in hell or in paradise has been recorded.” When his hearers asked him whether they should not trust simply in what had been recorded for them and abandon doing good deeds, he replied, “Go on doing them, for everyone is helped to do that for which he was created. Those who are among the number of the blessed will be helped to do appropriate deeds, and those who are among the number of the miserable will be helped to do appropriate deeds.” Then he recited, “As for him who gives, shows piety, and considers what is best to be true, We will help him to prosperity.” 1 (Bukhari and Muslim.)1 Quran xcii, 527.
The Divine Decree and Human Responsibility
This profound hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addresses the delicate balance between divine predestination (qadr) and human free will. The initial statement that everyone's final abode has been recorded might suggest fatalism, but the Prophet's clarification reveals the Islamic perspective: while God's knowledge encompasses all outcomes, human beings are still accountable for their choices and actions.
The Companions' Prudent Inquiry
The companions' question demonstrates their deep understanding and concern for proper belief. They asked whether knowing their fate was predetermined meant they should abandon righteous deeds and simply rely on what was written. This reflects the natural human tendency to seek clarity when confronted with matters of divine decree.
The Prophetic Guidance
The Prophet's response "Go on doing them" establishes the principle that knowledge of divine decree should not lead to inaction. Rather, it should motivate believers to strive in righteousness, for their efforts themselves are part of the divine plan. The statement "everyone is helped to do that for which he was created" indicates that divine facilitation aligns with one's inherent disposition and ultimate destiny.
Two Paths of Divine Assistance
The blessed receive divine help (tawfiq) to perform righteous deeds, while the miserable receive facilitation toward evil deeds as a form of divine abandonment (khidhlan). This does not mean God forces people toward evil, but rather withdraws His special grace from those who persistently choose wrongdoing, allowing them to proceed down their chosen path.
Quranic Corroboration
The Prophet's recitation of Quran 92:5-7 connects the hadith directly with divine revelation. The verse emphasizes that divine assistance follows human initiative in giving charity, maintaining piety, and affirming truth. This demonstrates the harmonious relationship between divine decree and human effort in Islamic theology.