Has God Planned My Failures?

One of the most complex and profound questions that engages the human mind regarding its relationship with the Creator is the issue of divine decree (Qadar), human free will (Ikhtiyar), and accountability. The question of whether God has pre-planned our failures stems from our understanding of divine will and humanity's role in shaping its own destiny. In response to this question, the Holy Quran offers a comprehensive and balanced perspective that emphasizes both the absolute power and infinite knowledge of God, while simultaneously acknowledging human responsibility and freedom of choice. From a Quranic perspective, Allah (God) is fully aware of everything that has occurred, is occurring, and will occur. This divine knowledge, known in Islamic terminology as 'Qadar' or divine decree, does not mean that Allah compels humans to act in a certain way or forces them into failure. Allah has created humans with 'Ikhtiyar' – free will; meaning He has granted them the ability to choose between right and wrong paths, diligence and negligence, belief and disbelief. This ability to choose is the cornerstone of human accountability. If humans lacked free will and all their actions were pre-programmed, then reward and punishment, reckoning and obligation, would all become meaningless. The Quran, in numerous verses, clearly emphasizes that humans are responsible for their actions and will face the consequences of their deeds. For example, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 29, it states: "And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve.'" This verse explicitly shows that the choice of life's path rests with the individual themselves. Failures, defined as the inability to achieve a desired goal or outcome, are a natural part of human life. These failures can result from various factors: sometimes they are the consequence of one's own shortcomings, inattention, or misguided choices; at other times, external and uncontrollable factors may play a role. From a Quranic viewpoint, Allah never wrongs His servants, nor does He change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves (Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 11). This implies that many of the failures we experience are direct consequences of our own actions and decisions. If someone does not strive, does not acquire knowledge, or chooses the wrong path, the outcome can be failure. This failure is not a divine plan to cause harm but rather the natural result of one's actions within the framework of laws that Allah has established in the universe. However, it is important to note that failures can also be viewed from another perspective: as divine tests and trials. This worldly life is a stage for human trials. For the growth, elevation, and assessment of His servants' faith, Allah tests them with various hardships, successes, and failures. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155, Allah says: "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient." These verses indicate that failures and calamities can be opportunities to test one's patience, perseverance, reliance on Allah (Tawakkul), and return to Him. In this view, failure is not a bitter end but a springboard for growth and learning. Allah does not intend harm with these tests but wishes to reveal humanity's hidden potentials and bring them closer to perfection. Often, it is after a significant failure that a person reflects, re-evaluates their methods, and by learning from their mistakes, embarks on a better and more successful path. This process itself is part of divine wisdom in managing the affairs of the world and nurturing humanity. Furthermore, one must not forget that Allah is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy (Arhamur Rahimin). His mercy precedes everything. If failures were planned solely to afflict and torment humans, this would contradict Allah's attribute of mercy. Instead, failures, like successes, are tools in the hands of divine wisdom for humans to find their path in this world, return to God, and attain higher levels of knowledge and faith. Even great prophets faced challenges, obstacles, and apparent 'failures' throughout their lives, which ultimately led to greater victories and the establishment of their missions. This demonstrates that failure is an integral part of the journey of growth and perfection, not merely a punishment or a pre-determined plan for eternal futility. In conclusion, Allah has not planned our failures in the sense of compulsion and deprivation of free will. Rather, with His infinite knowledge, He knows all possibilities and outcomes of our actions, while simultaneously granting us the power of choice. Failures are often the result of our own choices, negligence, or mistakes, or they are divine trials for our growth and elevation. The important thing is that after every failure, instead of despairing and blaming destiny, we should re-examine our actions, learn from our mistakes, and with reliance on Allah and renewed effort, strive towards success and divine pleasure. This perspective imbues humanity with hope and responsibility, propelling them towards effort and progress.