Abstract
The theme “No one can change Allah’s decisions” reflects a central belief of Islam: the absolute sovereignty, wisdom, and authority of Allah over all creation. As declared in the Qur’an (Āl-‘Imrān 3:47), when Maryam (AS) expressed wonder at how she could bear a child without being touched by any man, she was reminded that Allah creates what He wills, and when He decrees a matter, He only says “Be,” and it is. This verse establishes that divine command transcends natural laws and material causes, affirming that nothing can obstruct or alter Allah’s will. Complementing this principle, a narration recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1229) recounts the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) response to the death of his daughter’s child, where he taught that whatever Allah takes and whatever He gives belongs to Him, and everything has a fixed, appointed term. This Prophetic guidance illustrates the Islamic understanding of divine decree (Qadr): life, death, joy, and sorrow all unfold according to Allah’s predetermined wisdom. At the same time, Islam does not call for emotional suppression; the Prophet’s tears demonstrated that showing grief is an expression of the mercy Allah has placed in human hearts. Thus, true submission (Islam) lies not in resisting destiny, but in embracing it with patience (Sabr), trust (Tawakkul), and hope for reward. Together, these sources affirm that while human beings are bound by time and circumstance, Allah’s command is absolute and unchangeable, and the believer’s role is to respond with faith, perseverance, and compassion.
Keywords: Absolute Sovereignty, The Preserved Tablet, Divine Will vs. Human Will, The Role of Supplication, Spiritual Benefits of This Belief,
Introduction
Allah almighty said in quran:
قَالَتْ رَبِّ اَنّٰى يَكُوْنُ لِيْ وَلَدٌ وَّلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِىْ بَشَرٌ ۭقَالَ كَذٰلِكِ اللّٰهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاۗءُ ۭ اِذَا قَضٰٓى اَمْرًا فَاِنَّمَا يَقُوْلُ لَهٗ كُنْ فَيَكُوْنُ۔(القرآن ،العمران:47)
‘Lord,’ said Mary, ‘how shall I have a son seeing no mortal has touched me?’ ‘Even so,’ God said, God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing He does but say to it “Be,” and it is.
Interpretation.
(She said: My Lord! ) Mary said to Gabriel: O master!: (How can I have a child) how is it possible for me to have a child (when no mortal hath touched me?) lawfully or unlawfully? (He) Gabriel (said: So (it will be) ) as I have told you. (Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing) if He wills to create a son from you without a father, (He saith unto it only: Be! and it is) a son without a father.
The holy prophet(صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ وَمُحَمَّدٌ قَالَا أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ أَخْبَرَنَا عَاصِمُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ أَرْسَلَتْ ابْنَةُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّی اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ ابْنًا لِي قُبِضَ فَأْتِنَا فَأَرْسَلَ يُقْرِئُ السَّلَامَ وَيَقُولُ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَی وَکُلٌّ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّی فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِ تُقْسِمُ عَلَيْهِ لَيَأْتِيَنَّهَا فَقَامَ وَمَعَهُ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَمَعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ وَأُبَيُّ بْنُ کَعْبٍ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَرِجَالٌ فَرُفِعَ إِلَی رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّی اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الصَّبِيُّ وَنَفْسُهُ تَتَقَعْقَعُ قَالَ حَسِبْتُهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ کَأَنَّهَا شَنٌّ فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ فَقَالَ سَعْدٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا هَذَا فَقَالَ هَذِهِ رَحْمَةٌ جَعَلَهَا اللَّهُ فِي قُلُوبِ عِبَادِهِ وَإِنَّمَا يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الرُّحَمَائَ۔( Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1 , Hadith 1229 )
Narrated Usama bin Zaid (RA):
The daughter of the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) sent (a messenger) to the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) requesting him to come as her child was dying (or was gasping), but the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) returned the messenger and told him to convey his greeting to her and say: “Whatever Allah takes is for Him and whatever He gives, is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world) and so she should be patient and hope for Allah’s reward.” She again sent for him, swearing that he should come. The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) got up, and so did Sad bin ‘Ubadahh, Muadh bin Jabal, Ubai bin Ka’b (RA), Zaid bin Thabit and some other men. The child was brought to Allah’s Apostle (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) while his breath was disturbed in his chest (the sub-narrator thinks that Usama added:) as if it was a leather water-skin. On that the eyes of the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) started shedding tears. Sad said, “O Allah’s Apostle (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) ! What is this?” He replied, “It is mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of His slaves, and Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).
Conclusion
In light of Islamic teachings, the belief that no one can change Allah’s decisions is not a message of helplessness but a profound blessing that nurtures inner strength and spiritual elevation. The Qur’anic account in the Qur’an and the Prophetic guidance preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari together teach that divine decree (Qadr) flows from perfect knowledge, mercy, and wisdom. For a believer, this conviction transforms trials into opportunities for reward and growth. When one realizes that every gain and loss occurs by Allah’s permission and within a fixed term, the heart is freed from despair, envy, and excessive fear. Instead, it becomes anchored in patience (Sabr), gratitude (Shukr), and trust (Tawakkul). Islam directs believers to strive with sincerity while leaving outcomes to the Creator, knowing that His plans are always better than human calculations. Accepting Allah’s unchangeable decree becomes a source of peace, resilience, and optimism; it reassures the soul that nothing happens without purpose and that every difficulty carries hidden wisdom and potential blessing. Thus, submission to Allah’s will is itself a divine gift—one that strengthens faith, refines character, and fills life with meaning, hope, and compassionate awareness of others.
