How Directly Is God Involved in Life?

NoProgressive

As Salaam Alaikum,

Basically I was reading something the other day that came across the belief on some Greek guy, and the guy believed that God was not directly involved in life.

That stood out to me because I too believe that God is not so directly involved in life, that other people make it seem. Maybe it's because of my strong belief in personal responsibility and free will.

Like for instance... I believe that God creates things, and essentially gives everyone what they have... like if it wasn't for God, I wouldn't be alive.

BUT, say for instance I was married and taking birth control. Though life is "essentially" up to God... like if he wanted, I could get pregnant regardless of the pills if he wanted..... I don't believe that he will use his Godly "powers" to interfere like that. I mean if I get pregnant, I would thinkt hat I got pregnant because I didn't take my pill, or that I was on that 2% (or whatever it is) side of the stick..... I wouldn't really be thinkign "Oh God wanted this. He was directly involved.".

But yet I see other poeple thinking this way. They basically say "No I wont get tested for STDS.. If I get AIDS it was the will of God."... I'm like... "WHAT??!!!!". This is how directly they believe God is in there life, and I respect that... but I personally don't believe that it works like that. God gives a choice... and the great privlege of free will.

Now if the Quran says something differently,then ok I'll change my opinion, God knows best. But until I read it... I believe that God is not so directly involved in the way that other people believe so.

What about you? WHat's your belief on his activeness?

salaam

unknownuser

Peace sister

I believe the Quran in numerous locations clearly stated that Allah is conroling all our daily affairs, if He does not, the earth will be destroyed by us, I will show that verses later but here is one of theones that clearly confirms His will over whatever we want to do in a present sense

YUSUFALI But ye shall not will except as Allah wills,- the Cherisher of the Worlds.
PICKTHAL And ye will not, unless (it be) that Allah willeth, the Lord of Creation.
SHAKIR And you do not please except that Allah please, the Lord of the worlds.

(29)

I also believe even with Allah mighty control in place over our actions, we are encouraged to do our best then leave the outcome to Allah "Natawakal Alaihi", I will try to find the verse inshaallah

Peace

unknownuser

Salaams Br,

Isn?t God to us like the ocean is to the fish?

The fish are provided with sustenance of all types in the ocean and the fish use the currants in the ocean and their fins to direct their course.

Similarly we are provided with sustenance of all types by the almighty and similar to the fish we can utilize Gods facets/attributes to maneuver ourselves and direct ourselves to our course by utilizing his attributes in our existence - every moment of our being.

So He being the cause of our progress and our being we are the ones making the decisions of the directions we choose all the time not Him so we are responsible.

God Bless.

zenje

Do you not see that God sends down water from the sky, and causes it to become streams under the earth, then He produces with it plants of various colors, then they grow until they turn yellow, then He turns them lifeless? This should be a reminder for those who possess intelligence.

?The One who created me, He will guide me?
?And He is the One who feeds me and gives me to drink?
?And if I am sick, He is the One who cures me?
?And the One who will make me die and then bring me to life?

To your Lord is the final destiny.
He is the One who makes you laugh or cry.
He is the One who controls death and life.
He is the One who created the two kinds, male and female.
From a tiny drop of semen.
He will effect the recreation.
He is the One who makes you rich or poor.
He is the Lord of the galaxies.

samina

peace noprogressive
sometime back i had heard tht a 80 yr old lady concieved n gave birth to a baby , now how is tht possible ,thts Allah s will
a small baby was floating on the water for 3 dayz when tsunami occured in south asia till she was found
i think by these egs Allah tells us tht whteva he wills tht happens

u may think tht u wont concieve becoz u r takin birth control pills ,well my sister is a doctor n she tells tht any birth control methods dont give 100% gurantee tht the lady wont concieve , there is always 1% chance of concieving

nazz

Peace NoProgressive,

I completely understand what you mean.

There are numerous places in the Quran that tell us that nothing, not even an atom's weight is out of God's control. How are we expected to comprehend and accept something like that, when it seems very much that we ourselves are "in control" and "responsible" for everything humans have a hand in on earth?

I too believe that God could, if He wanted to, use His divine powers and directly intervene in something. For example, as you mention ?make someone pregnant despite the use of condoms and The Pill (and isn't this what we're expected to believe occured with the virgin birth of Jesus Christ?? and also say for example changing the answers one has written on a test paper to be correct and therefore effecting a passing grade.

However, IF God does do this sort of thing, I am of the opinion it occurs very rarely.

So, I prefer to look at the issue in one or both of these ways;

(1)
God has created everything, and has set everything in motion. He has "inspired" everything to grow, move, evolve and act in precise ways such that His desired events?however small?happen. This "inspiration" was given to the very first creations (of everything) and then things continued/have been passed down since time immemorial. Moreover, all of this was planned, designed and decided before any creating began (as the Quran informs us).

(2)
God created everything, and then continually "inspires" it as time and life go on.

Another angle which I tend to mix in with either of the above;

In understanding how God might be in complete control of everything I tend to look at it in terms of everything following a "system". A system which has obviously been designed and implemented by God. By "system" I mean that all His creations adhere to mathematical, biological and a myriad other laws and are living/working/operating inside within the entire universes, and by virtue of this, everything is under God's control.

For example; You breathe automatically. God's system. You choose not to breathe for a few moments. God's system. (That you can choose, is part of your spirit/mind/body's design) You feel pain when pricked by a needle. God's system. Your heart beats. God's system.

So, in essence, everything does exactly as God has designed it. And therefore, He is "in control" of everything.