❀ Objection:
Some raise the question: If God is All-Powerful, then why does the universe not deviate from its laws? Why can't prayers (du‘a) override the established principles of the cosmos?✔ Harmony in Universal Laws:
The consistent adherence to laws within the universe is in itself a remarkable truth. Modern science acknowledges this systematic harmony as evidence of a super-system. If irregularities dominated natural phenomena, one might argue there is no governing system. But the observed continuity and order affirm the presence of a Supreme Being managing all affairs with wisdom and precision.✿ The Nature of Du‘a:
Du‘a does not override material impossibilities; instead, it operates within the realm of material possibilities using abstract causes. This means that du‘a does not cancel the laws of nature, but rather works through them, influencing outcomes within the permissible scope of the natural order.❖ Unrealistic Expectations:
Some expect du‘a to bring about illogical outcomes, such as:◉ A person jumps out of an airplane and prays to be saved, expecting an invisible force to lift him back.
◉ A student avoids studying all year and expects, through prayer alone, to suddenly recall all the answers in an exam.
If such irregularities were to occur, the universe’s system would collapse. We would no longer be able to predict natural outcomes, and the world would descend into complete chaos.
✔ Divine Wisdom:
The wisdom of Allah necessitates that the world operates under an orderly system. If every du‘a could override universal laws, then prediction, science, and societal function would become impossible. Allah is not only All-Powerful (Qadir) but also All-Wise (Hakim) and All-Planning (Mudabbir). He does not run the universe based on arbitrary human desires.✿ Summary:
◈ The purpose of du‘a is to effect change within the realm of what is materially possible, not to transform impossibilities into realities.◈ The laws of the universe operate under Divine Wisdom, and prayers that contradict these laws are illogical.
◈ Allah has established a balanced system for human well-being, and this world is not a place for random miracles or entertainment.
