After the Battle of Siffin, somebody asked Imam Ali whether they had been destined to
fight against the Syrians. Imam Ali replied if by destiny you mean a compulsion (physical or
otherwise) through which we are forced (by nature) to do a thing then it is not so. Had it been
an obligation of that kind there would have been no question of reward for doing it and
punishment for not doing it (when you are physically forced to do a thing, like breathing,
sleeping, eating, drinking etc. then there can be no reward for doing it and no retribution for
not doing it. In such cases nature forces you to do a thing and you cannot but do it), then the
promised blessings and punishments in life after death will have no meaning. The Merciful
Lord has given his creatures (human beings) complete freedom to do as they like, and then
prohibited them from certain actions and warned them of the consequences of such actions
(His Wrath and His Punishments). These orders of Allah carry in them the least trouble and
lead us towards the most convenient ways of life and the rewards which He has promised for
good deeds are many times more than the actions actually deserve. He sees people disobeying
Him and tolerates them not because He can be overruled or be compelled to accept human
supremacy over Him. He did not send His prophets to amuse Himself or provide amuse- ment
for them. He did not reveal His orders without any genuine reason nor has He created the
galaxies and the earth without any purpose. The Universe without plan, purpose and program
is the idea of infidels and the pagans, sorry will be their plight in the leaping fires of Hell.
Hearing this the man asked Imam Ali, "Then what kind of destiny was it that we had?" Imam
Ali replied: "It was an order of Allah to do it like the order He has given in His Holy Book:
You are destined by Allah to worship none but Him, here 'destined' means 'ordered' it does
not mean physical compulsion". Thank you.
best regds
Bahlool
Pakistan