Part 02 Fate vs Free-Will
Who's in control?
In my previous post, I discussed effort—what it means and why sometimes we don’t get what we desire. Today, I want to take it a step further and explore something more profound: Submission (Islam).
أَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
“And that man will have nothing except what he strives for.”
Surah An-Najm (53:39)
When I first came across this ayah, I questioned it deeply—why is it that we don’t always get what we strive for? At least, that’s how it felt in my case.
I explained one reason for this in my previous post, but today, I want to share another perspective—one that leads to true submission.
This consistent, small but durable effort will shape your character, refine your patience, and strengthen your connection with Allah. The crux of this ayah is about the end goal, not just the process. It’s not about guaranteeing that every effort leads to the exact outcome we expect—it’s about what that effort contributes to our ultimate purpose. Just like I mentioned before, the outcome itself isn’t in our hands, and in isolation, it may seem meaningless. But when viewed from a broader perspective, we realize that every effort is accounted for by Allah.
Take, for example, a presentation you prepared with full dedication. The outcome might not be what you expected—maybe the audience didn’t respond well, or you felt it could’ve gone better. But in Allah’s sight, your sincere effort is recorded as a good deed, and that is what truly matters. Therefore, this ayah in one sense gives hope that whatever losses you incurred it will be in accounts with Allah in good.
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:215), Allah says:
يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنْفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ وَالْيَتَامَى
وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it.
Notice how the verse ends:
“Whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it.”
This is a powerful reminder that our efforts are never wasted, even if they seem meaningless in this world. Many people spend their hard-earned money on family and friends—only to be met with ingratitude, betrayal, or even pain. The world might make it seem like their generosity amounted to nothing, but in Allah’s sight, it is never lost.
Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ
“Actions are only (judged) by intentions.”
Sahih Bukhari (1) & Sahih Muslim (1907)
So, we do have what we truly strives for- some in this dunya and most of it in akhirah. There’s a saying by Imam Ali bin Abi Talib( AS) – Hadith #250 in Nahj al-Balaghah :
“I recognized God through revoking the determinations and breaking the intentions. When I determined and I was prevented from achieving my determination and I intended and the fate contradicted my intention, I realized that the administrator was other than me.
The saying in itself solves the biggest mystery of life. You can try your best and leave the rest as “Freedom is only in choosing the God, rest is submission.”
To be continued…