Prayer and Divine Determination Are Juxtaposed — Essence of Islam Vol. 2

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Prayer and Divine Determination Are Juxtaposed, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 10: Divine Decree and Determination
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: Two Types of Divine Decrees | Next: Two Aspects of Prayer »

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’an 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? It should be remembered that, unlike the atheists, the Holy Qur’an does not confine everything within the 116

Call Me, I shall respond to you. That is why I have always said that the God of the Muslims responds to their supplications; but the god who has not created a single particle or who died under the scourging of the Jews, how can he respond? 117

It is not wise to attempt reconciliation between choice and compulsion on the basis of one’s self-conceived and supposed logic and reasoning. This is a vain attempt. One must Honour Godhead and Providence duly and an attempt to comprehend the mysteries of Godhead is disrespectful. 118
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 336]

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Introduction