Is it Permissible in Shari‘ah to Say "It Happened by Chance"? – A Complete Explanation
Taken from: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Is it permissible to say “It happened by chance” or to use similar expressions? What is the guidance of Shari‘ah regarding such statements?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
In our opinion, there is no objection to using phrases like “by chance” or other similar expressions, provided they are used in reference to human actions or events, and not in relation to the Being of Allah ﷻ.
There is support for this from certain Aḥādīth which convey similar meanings, for example:
"ان فاطمة رضي الله عنها اتت النبی صلي الله عليه وسلم تشکو الیه ما تلقی فی یدها من الرحی وبلغها انه جاء ہ فلم تصادفه فذکرت ذلک لعائشة…”
“Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to complain about the hardship caused by the hand mill. She had been informed that some slaves had come to him, but by chance she could not meet him. So she mentioned her reason for coming to ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها)…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Expenditures, Chapter: A Woman Working in Her Husband’s House, Ḥadīth: 5361)
"انطلق رسول الله الی ام ايمن، فانطلقت معه فناولته اناء فيه شراب، قال: فلا ادری اصادفته صائما اولم يرده…”
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went to visit Umm Ayman (رضي الله عنها), and I went along with him. She offered him a vessel containing a drink. I do not know whether he happened to be fasting or if he simply declined it…”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter: Merits of Umm Ayman, Ḥadīth: 2453)
① A certain occurrence or event may happen "by chance" in the context of human experiences, because man does not possess knowledge of the unseen.
② If something occurs without any prior arrangement, awareness, or indication, it can naturally be referred to as “coincidence” or “by chance”.
③ In such contexts, saying “This happened by chance” is natural and correct.
① Such expressions must not be used with reference to Allah ﷻ, because:
➊ Allah ﷻ has complete knowledge of all things.
➋ Everything happens according to His knowledge and will.
➌ Nothing unexpected or sudden occurs in the knowledge of Allah ﷻ.
Using the phrase “by chance” is correct and permissible when referring to human affairs, but it is impermissible and inappropriate when attributed to Allah ﷻ.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
Taken from: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam❖ Question:
Is it permissible to say “It happened by chance” or to use similar expressions? What is the guidance of Shari‘ah regarding such statements?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
In our opinion, there is no objection to using phrases like “by chance” or other similar expressions, provided they are used in reference to human actions or events, and not in relation to the Being of Allah ﷻ.
✿ Use of Such Expressions in Hadith:
There is support for this from certain Aḥādīth which convey similar meanings, for example:
◈ Sahih al-Bukhari contains the following narration:
"ان فاطمة رضي الله عنها اتت النبی صلي الله عليه وسلم تشکو الیه ما تلقی فی یدها من الرحی وبلغها انه جاء ہ فلم تصادفه فذکرت ذلک لعائشة…”
“Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to complain about the hardship caused by the hand mill. She had been informed that some slaves had come to him, but by chance she could not meet him. So she mentioned her reason for coming to ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها)…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Expenditures, Chapter: A Woman Working in Her Husband’s House, Ḥadīth: 5361)
◈ Another narration from
"انطلق رسول الله الی ام ايمن، فانطلقت معه فناولته اناء فيه شراب، قال: فلا ادری اصادفته صائما اولم يرده…”
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went to visit Umm Ayman (رضي الله عنها), and I went along with him. She offered him a vessel containing a drink. I do not know whether he happened to be fasting or if he simply declined it…”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter: Merits of Umm Ayman, Ḥadīth: 2453)
❖ The Concept of "Chance" with Respect to Humans:
① A certain occurrence or event may happen "by chance" in the context of human experiences, because man does not possess knowledge of the unseen.
② If something occurs without any prior arrangement, awareness, or indication, it can naturally be referred to as “coincidence” or “by chance”.
③ In such contexts, saying “This happened by chance” is natural and correct.
Such Expressions are Not Permissible Concerning Allah ﷻ:
① Such expressions must not be used with reference to Allah ﷻ, because:
➊ Allah ﷻ has complete knowledge of all things.
➋ Everything happens according to His knowledge and will.
➌ Nothing unexpected or sudden occurs in the knowledge of Allah ﷻ.
✔ Conclusion:
Using the phrase “by chance” is correct and permissible when referring to human affairs, but it is impermissible and inappropriate when attributed to Allah ﷻ.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
