What should we say to those who use destiny as a pretext for committing sins and claim that Allaah The Almighty did not will to guide them?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is easy to refute such people’s assertions by telling them that Allaah The Almighty made the path of truth and the path of falsehood clear to everyone. Moreover, Allaah Has granted people the ability to choose, so that they can make their own choice. Additionally, Allaah instructed them to choose the path of the Truth. Allaah did not merely tell people to do what He already Knows [of their destiny], based on His prior comprehensive knowledge.

There are many proofs for this in the Quran, Sunnah and from common sense. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

      • {We have certainly created man into hardship. Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." Does he think that no one has seen him? Have We not made for him two eyes? And a tongue and two lips? And have shown him the two ways (of the truth and of falsehood)} [Quran 90:4-10]
• {Indeed, this is a reminder, so whoever wills may take to his Lord a way}[Quran 73:19]
• {That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return}[Quran 78:39]
• {It is not except a reminder to the worlds. For whoever wills among you to take a right course}[Quran 81:27-28]

In these verses, and in many others, Allaah Has established that a person has the will to choose and he may opt for the way he wants. There is no doubt that the Will of Allaah The Almighty is predominant; however, using this as an excuse for committing sins, is invalid. Those who use this excuse for sinning would never use this argument in terms of worldly matters. For instance, they would never stop eating, drinking or seeking treatment under the pretext that Allaah did not will that for them.

The logical evidence in support of this is that no one feels an external power pushing him or forcing him to do something that he does not wish to do. On the contrary, a person makes his choice freely in all his matters and affairs.