Guidance from Allaah is given with mercy and withheld with wisdom
Fatwa No: 7002

Question

In what aspect can the Saying of Allaah The Almighty (which means): {[Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path.} [Quran 7:16], contradict the fact that Aadam (Adam), may Allaah exalt his mention, told Moosa (Moses), may Allaah exalt his mention, that Allaah The Almighty had predetermined that he would get out of Paradise?

Answer

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

 

Sunnis believe that: "Because You have put me in error,” means that Allaah The Almighty made Satan go astray and created disbelief in him. This is why Satan said that Allaah The Almighty put error in him. This is true as everything that is created in the universe is subject to the will of Allaah The Almighty. He The Almighty guides whomever He wills and sends astray whomever He Wills. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

{And my advice will not benefit you - although I wished to advise you - If Allaah should intend to put you in error. He is your Lord, and to Him you will be returned."} [Quran 11:34]

Allaah The Almighty destined straying for Satan because He had prior knowledge of his corrupt intentions.

As for the debate that took place between Aadam and Moosa, may Allaah exalt their mention, it was narrated within the relevant Hadeeth and ended up with Aadam overpowering Moosa by saying that he had been destined to be expelled from Paradise. In fact Aadam did not mean to justify his sin on the pretext that it was predestined; rather, he was talking about the calamity. This is the belief of Sunnis, as they think that destiny can be a pretext for a calamity, but not sins or defects. Please see Fatwa numbers: ">5617 and 4733 on the same subject.

Allaah Knows best.

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