Saying “Time Willed It” Is Not Permissible – Only the Will of Allah Holds Weight
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
Is it permissible to say expressions such as “Time or circumstances willed it”?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Phrases such as:
«شَاءَتِ الظُّرُوفُ اَنْ يَّحْصُلَ كَذَا»
(“If the circumstances willed it, then such and such happened”)
«شَاءَتِ الْاَقْدَارُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا»
(“If destiny willed it, then such and such occurred”)
— are considered reprehensible and objectionable expressions in Islam.
This can be clarified through the following points:
▪ The word “Ẓurūf” is the plural of “Ẓarf”, which refers to time or temporal frames.
▪ Time in itself has no will or volition.
➤ Therefore, saying “Time willed it” conveys an incorrect and misleading meaning.
▪ “Aqdār” is the plural of “Qadar”, meaning divine decree or destiny.
▪ Destiny too does not possess any will or intention of its own.
➤ Only Allah ﷻ possesses Will (Mashī’ah) and Volition.
It is permissible to say:
“This occurred in accordance with Allah’s decree”
Because in this, the will is rightly attributed to Allah ﷻ, which is theologically sound.
It is important to understand that:
▪ “Mashī’ah” (Will) means intention or volition,
▪ And will belongs not to attributes, but to the One who possesses the attribute.
➤ That is, only a Being can have will — not abstract concepts like time or destiny.
Thus, intention and will are established only for Allah ﷻ,
not for time, circumstances, or fate.
هٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām❖ Question:
Is it permissible to say expressions such as “Time or circumstances willed it”?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Phrases such as:
«شَاءَتِ الظُّرُوفُ اَنْ يَّحْصُلَ كَذَا»
(“If the circumstances willed it, then such and such happened”)
«شَاءَتِ الْاَقْدَارُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا»
(“If destiny willed it, then such and such occurred”)
— are considered reprehensible and objectionable expressions in Islam.
This can be clarified through the following points:
① Meaning of the Word
▪ The word “Ẓurūf” is the plural of “Ẓarf”, which refers to time or temporal frames.
▪ Time in itself has no will or volition.
➤ Therefore, saying “Time willed it” conveys an incorrect and misleading meaning.
② Meaning of the Word
▪ “Aqdār” is the plural of “Qadar”, meaning divine decree or destiny.
▪ Destiny too does not possess any will or intention of its own.
➤ Only Allah ﷻ possesses Will (Mashī’ah) and Volition.
③ Correct and Acceptable Expression
It is permissible to say:“This occurred in accordance with Allah’s decree”
Because in this, the will is rightly attributed to Allah ﷻ, which is theologically sound.
④ The Need to Refine One’s Language
It is important to understand that:
▪ “Mashī’ah” (Will) means intention or volition,
▪ And will belongs not to attributes, but to the One who possesses the attribute.
➤ That is, only a Being can have will — not abstract concepts like time or destiny.
Thus, intention and will are established only for Allah ﷻ,
not for time, circumstances, or fate.
هٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
