Difference between the will (mashee’ah) and want (iraadah) of Allah مشيئة و إرادة -Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin
Difference between the will (mashee’ah) and want (iraadah) of Allah مشيئة و إرادة
By Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al-Abbaad al-Badr May Allah preserve him
The shaykh mentions this point of benefit in his book “Qatful Janaa ad-Daani” which was an explanation of the great Imaam Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaani’s 386 AH introduction. He says under the statement, “Also included is belief in the Decree both the good of it and the evil of it, the sweet of it and the bitter of it…”:
1. Allah’s will (mashee’ah) is His universal decree. As for His want (iraadah) it is His religious and legislative decree.
Allah said in surah Hud: 34 concerning His universal decree:
“And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you good counsel, if Allah’s Will is to keep you astray…”
And surah An’aam: 125,
“And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted…”
As for His legislative or religious decree He stated in Baqarah: 185,
“…Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you…”
Also in surah Maaidah: 6,
“…Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favor on you that you may be thankful.”
2. The universal decree is general in regards to what Allah loves and hates. The religious or legislative decree is only what Allah loves and likes.
3. It is a must for the universal decree to occur. The religious or legislative decree can only happen to those who Allah gives success.
Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain
ALLAH’S MASHEE’AH-THE WILL OF ALLAH
Is the belief that Allah has willed everything that goes on in the universe. His will and His preordaining power effectively covers everything. Whatever He willed will occur and whatever He did not will not occur,
“If Allah willed He would have made you one nation, but that He may test you in what He has given you.” (5:48)
Had Allah wished for us to follow one book, one legislation and one messenger, at all times and all places, He would have done that. What has passed is what Allah wished:
tests, trials in the different judicial legislation’s which He has brought down; thereupon these who will comply will be distinguished from those who disobey or reject. He is All Just and All Wise in His Masheeah (will)
The Mashee’ah and the Iradah (what Allah wants)
Allahs Mashee’ah (Will) is of 2 type:
1.Mashee ah pertinent to His creation and command. It is not necessary that what is being carried out by His creation is liked by Him. He however willed it to pass.
Allah created Satan, yet He hates him. He also created many things He loves. Whatever He permitted to exist, from kufr, belief, obedience or disobedience is pertinent to His Mashheeah, whether He loves it or not. This is also known as Iradah Kawniyyah (universal will) in this will Allah may decree to pass things which He does not command His slaves to follow. Eg: kuffar or disobedience. No one can escape this universal will of Allah or go against it.
2.-Iradah Ash shareeyyah pertinent to Allahs legislation. It is related to what Allah loves and likes whether it takes place or not. The acts of obedience taking place by Allahs creation are loved by Allah and are passed by His universal will. Under His judicial will it is not necessary that His commands are carried out. Some people rebel against his commands. So Allah loves obedience or that we obey our parents etc. but not everyone is obedient to Allah, so even though Allah loves for those to take place, it does not necessarily take place. The linkage between Al Iradah Al kawniyyah and the Iradah Shareeyyah is clear in the following ayah:
“and He likes not kufr for His slaves.” (40:7)
Allah does not like or love kuffar, yet it exists
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=AQD09&articleID=AQD090001&pfriend=
