What do the esteemed imams of the Muslims say concerning a group who disagree about Allah’s decree and predestination, both its good and its evil? Some of them hold that good comes from Allah Most High, whereas evil comes solely from one’s own self. Give us a ruling, and may you be rewarded.
The shaykh—may Allah be pleased with him—replied:
The doctrine of the people of the Sunnah and the community is that Allah Most High is the Creator, Lord and Sovereign of all things (*). There is no Lord besides Him and no Creator other than Him. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass. He has power over all things and knowledge of all things.
The servant is commanded to obey Allah and His Messenger and forbidden to disobey Allah and His Messenger. If he obeys, that is a blessing; if he disobeys, he deserves blame and punishment. Allah has the conclusive argument against him, while no one has any argument against Allah Most High. All of this occurs by Allah’s decree, predestination, will and power. Yet He loves obedience, commands it, rewards those who practise it for doing so, and honours them. He hates disobedience, forbids it, punishes those who commit it, and humiliates them.
Whatever blessings come to the servant, Allah has bestowed them upon him; and whatever evil befalls him is because of his sins
(*) Shaykh Nāsir ibn Hamad al-Fahd stated (p. 69):
This same fatwa is reproduced in (8/242–243), but the version there differs from this one. There, the fatwa begins: “Abū al-‘Abbās Ibn Taymiyyah was asked about good and evil, the universal decree, and religious commands and prohibitions. He replied: Praise be to Allah. Know that Allah is the Creator, Lord, and Sovereign of all things…”
Comparing the two passages reveals minor differences, the three most important being:
1 – On p. 63: “If he obeys, that is a blessing [from Allah bestowed upon him, and he receives reward and recompense through Allah’s grace and mercy]; if he disobeys, he deserves blame and punishment.” The words in square brackets are omitted here but appear in the other passage (p. 242).
2 – On p. 64: “Whatever sorrow, humiliation, and evil befall you are due to your sins and misdeeds.” On p. 242, the wording is “Whatever drought befalls you,” with “drought” replacing “sorrow.” This reading appears more likely to be correct, since it contrasts with “plenty” in the preceding statement: “Whatever plenty, victory, and guidance come to you, Allah has bestowed them upon you.”
3 – On p. 64: “And that the servant be certain of Allah’s law and command.” On p. 243: “And that the servant believe in Allah’s law and command.” The two readings are close in meaning, but the second appears more likely to be correct. Allah knows best.