Islam and casualty

Causality is the principle or relationship between causes and effects. It asserts that every event (effect) has a cause or set of causes that precede it and lead to its occurrence. In essence, causality explains how one event or action leads to the occurrence of another, forming a sequence where the cause directly influences the outcome. For long causality has been used to back various pseudosciences and corrupted ideology. From a secular world-view the existence of the universe itself is a product of cause and effect, while it denies the initial cause or have no answers for what caused the cause to cause. In this article we aim to discuss the only logical explanation of causality with respect to sound intellect and objective laws of reality.

Dr. Israr Ahmad on Causality and Its Relationship with Divine Decree

Dr. Israr Ahmad (Rahimahullah) offers a profound explanation of causality and its connection to Qadr, or Divine Decree, in Islamic theology. He emphasizes that nothing in the universe occurs without a reason or cause. The very concept of "randomness," he argues, is merely a simplification—a term we use to cope with our limited understanding of events we can't fully comprehend.

In reality, everything is governed by a cause, whether visible or hidden, and this cause is ultimately decreed by Allah, who is All-Knowing and All-Wise. This concept stands at the heart of Islamic belief, wherein every event, small or large, follows divine wisdom and calculation. There is no room for pure randomness or chaos in this worldview, as everything is meticulously orchestrated by the Creator.

To make this idea more relatable, Let us look at a simple but effective analogy. Imagine holding a bucket full of balls of different colors. If I say, "I will randomly throw one of these balls," it might appear that the action is random. However, several factors—the speed of my hand, the position of the balls in the bucket, and the angle of my throw—will actually determine which ball I throw and where it will land.

When these variables are consciously considered and controlled, the act of throwing is clearly not random. On the other hand, if I do not consciously process these factors, I might label the outcome as random. However, randomness in this case is not an inherent quality of the act; it is merely a title or a reflection of my lack of awareness or control over all the determining factors. This concept highlights the limits of human understanding and our tendency to label things as random when we are unable to account for all influencing factors.

The Creator of the universe does not operate in this way. Allah is always fully aware and conscious of every action, event, and cause. He is free from the limitations of a subconscious mind, which humans possess. This means that nothing in the universe can be truly random because everything falls within the realm of divine consciousness. Every movement, every change, and every event unfolds according to a precise plan and purpose.

This perspective explains why, in Islam, we deny concepts like "random mutation" or the idea of a "random creation" of the universe. These ideas are often put forth by materialistic and atheistic worldviews, suggesting that everything in existence is a product of chance. From an Islamic perspective, this view is flawed because it overlooks the intricacies of divine causality. In reality, there is no randomness in the cosmos—everything occurs for a reason, driven by a calculated cause, even if we are unable to perceive or understand it fully. Randomness, therefore, only exists as a subjective concept, arising from human ignorance of the underlying causes.

Dr. Israr Ahmad sums up this idea in a powerful way:
"Achanak koi shayy nahi hoti yaha par, siwaaye Allah ki ijazat ke patta bhi nahi hilta."

("Nothing happens suddenly here; not even a leaf moves without the permission of Allah.")

In just two statements, Dr. Israr demolishes the atheistic worldview that is grounded in the idea of randomness. By recognizing that every action in the universe happens with divine permission and under divine decree, the Islamic worldview presents a coherent explanation of the universe, one that leaves no room for randomness or chance.

The Concept of "Randomness" in Modern Thought

The discussion around randomness and causality is not just limited to Islamic thought. In fact, it intersects with contemporary debates in philosophy and science, particularly with regard to free will. Modern secular thinkers like Sam Harris have explored similar themes, though from a different angle.

In his book Free Will, Harris questions whether humans have true free will. His argument is rooted in the idea that if the universe itself was created randomly, then nothing in the universe, including human thought, can be entirely free from randomness. Harris challenges the notion that we have full control over our thoughts and actions. He contends that while we may feel we are making conscious choices, we are unaware of the origins of our thoughts.

For example, if I wake up in the morning and decide whether to drink tea or coffee, I might choose tea. But Harris asks: why did I only feel the need to choose between these two options? Where did this original thought of choosing between tea and coffee come from? Was it truly my choice, or was it influenced by subconscious factors beyond my control?

Harris goes further by suggesting that if thought itself is subject to random, external influences, then there is no room for true free will. If our thoughts and actions are dictated by random variables, then we are not responsible for them in any meaningful way. This has profound implications for ethics and morality. Without free will, moral responsibility disappears. A thief, for instance, could not be held accountable for their actions if those actions were the product of random processes rather than conscious choices. Similarly, someone with harmful tendencies could claim that they were "forced" into those actions by factors beyond their control, absolving them of responsibility.

This line of thinking ultimately leads to a nihilistic conclusion: if everything is random, then nothing has real meaning or purpose. Morality, ethics, justice—all of these concepts would lose their relevance if human beings lack true agency. The Islamic perspective, however, provides a strong counterargument to this deterministic view.

Divine Decree, Free Will, and Human Responsibility

In Islamic thought, the balance between Qadr (divine decree) and human free will is crucial. While Allah has full knowledge and control over all events, humans are still endowed with the ability to make choices within the framework of divine will. This means that while nothing happens without Allah's permission, human beings are still responsible for their actions.

The idea of causality in Islam is thus not opposed to free will. Rather, it emphasizes that while Allah has predetermined the general course of events, humans are responsible for their individual actions and intentions. Each person is judged based on their choices, which are made within the scope of divine knowledge. This balance between divine predestination and human responsibility ensures that morality and justice remain central to Islamic thought.

Dr. Israr Ahmad's explanation reinforces this balance. By rejecting the idea of randomness and affirming the concept of divine causality, he upholds the view that the universe is not a chaotic, purposeless system. Instead, it is a finely tuned creation, where every action has a cause, and every cause is rooted in divine wisdom.

Conclusion

Dr. Israr Ahmad’s insights on causality and divine decree offer a powerful rebuttal to secular and atheistic worldviews that rely on the concept of randomness. In his teachings, he emphasizes that the universe operates under the full control and knowledge of Allah. Nothing happens without reason, and nothing is truly random. This understanding is central to Islamic theology, which provides a coherent and purposeful view of existence.

The debates around free will, causality, and randomness are not merely abstract discussions. They have real-world implications for how we view morality, justice, and responsibility. By understanding the divine nature of causality, we can navigate these complex issues with a sense of clarity and purpose.

Fahad Salim Mom

Pursuing honors in philosophy and major in English, student of islamic psychology, Youtuber, social worker.

"Knowledge is the key to understanding the world."