The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 336
336. Two Types of Divine Decrees. Essence of Islām II. Divine decrees are of two types; one may be described as suspended, and the other as absolute. The operation of a suspended decree may be averted by the grace of God. Almighty through prayer and almsgiving. The operation of an absolute decree cannot be averted through prayer and almsgiving, though God Almighty bestows some other benefit in return for them. In some cases God Almighty causes a delay in the operation of a decree. The knowledge of these two types of divine decrees can be gathered from the Holy Qur'ān. [Malfūzāt, vol. I, pp. 157-158]. The Holy Qur'an has set out certain matters for the establishment of the principle that God Almighty is One and is the source and goal of everything from which foolish critics have deduced the doctrine of compulsion. . He is the causa causans and is the Provider of all means. . This is the reason why God Almighty has in some cases described Himself as the Cause of all causes in the Holy. Qur'an, without mention of intervening means. A perusal of the Holy Qur'ān discloses that at certain places these means have also been clearly specified so that man should pay heed to them. . Besides, the Holy Qur'an specifies the punishment of evil and lays down penalties. If there was to be an unalterable system of Divine decrees and determination and man was to be under absolute compulsion what justification was there for these punishments and penalties?. Prayer And Divine Determination are Juxtaposed. It should be remembered that, unlike the atheists, the. Holy Qur'an does not confine everything within the