Why Do Good Since Allāh Knows Our Ultimate End?
Once I was at a conference; a young woman pulled me to the side and said she needed to ask me a troubling question: ”Why do good if Allāh creates all actions, controls all and knows our ultimate end?”
After letting her know that I appreciated her asking, and that what she asked was important, I asked,
”Do you believe that Allāh knows all things?” She said she did. I continued, ”If you believe He knows all then do you trust his commands?” She nodded yes.
I continued, ”If you affirm His absolute knowledge, and you trust his commands, then you must act because He commands you, ’Do good!’ You can’t affirm His perfect knowledge while questioning His advice and commands!”
She said, ”That’s it? I didn’t think it was that simple. Thanks!”
A Remedy For Perplexing Questions
Often, if you trace the questions that haunt you about faith to the qualities and names of God, you will find simple, yet powerful responses to difficult questions. So knowing Allāh helps you establish a framework for understanding your faith and the world around you. One of the most important beliefs is affirming Allah’s perfect knowledge. It spawns security in knowing His commands, apprehension knowing that He alone knows the final results of your life and the desire to constantly improve because, again, your fate solely rests with Him.
Suhaib Webb