Question
In Verse 13:38,39 Allah talks about decree and says that He blots what He wills and confirms what He wills. Does this mean Allah will change His will as and when He likes?
Thank you.
Answer
The referred verses have refuted two of the rejecters’ objections. One of these objections was that if God had really wanted to deliver His message to man, He should have delivered it through His angels rather than selecting an ordinary man for this assignment. The second objection related to the warning of the Messenger (pbuh) that if the polytheists of Arabia did not accept and submit to this message of God, a severe punishment would afflict them, in the life of this world as well as in the hereafter. As a response to this warning, the people of Makkah would mockingly demand from the Prophet (pbuh) to give them a sign of this approaching punishment.
It is with these two objections in the background that the referred verses say:
We have sent [normal human beings as] messengers before you and have made for them wives and children. And it is not in the hands of a messenger that he brings a sign, except with God’s will. [The punishment that you are warned against will come at its appointed time, because] each happening has an appointed time. God eliminates whatever He pleases and He establishes whatever He pleases and with Him is the grand book [prescribing the time for each thing]. –Al-Ra`d 13: 38-39
If you take a look at this verse, it is actually not a reference to any changes that God makes in His will. It only refers to the fact that God is not bound by anyone’s preferences in His decisions of elimination and establishment, in the life of this world.
I hope this helps.
Moiz Amjad
April 6, 2006