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Destiny, If You Will!
In Arabic, destiny is referred to as “المصير” (Al-Maseer), and it is one of the fundamental beliefs that shape the lives of individuals and societies. People, to varying degrees, believe that destiny guides their lives and determines everything that happens to them. But the recurring question is:
Does destiny truly exist? What is it? Can it be changed? And if so, how?
Like everyone else, I have asked these questions and sought answers that would satisfy me and benefit those around me. Through my experiences, I have come to believe in what is called destiny—I cannot deny its existence because I see it unfolding in my daily life.
Is Nothing Truly Random?
I do not believe that things happen randomly; in my view, randomness is merely a sequence of events unfolding across time and space. In reality, we only recognize destiny after some time has passed—when we start to comprehend how certain circumstances have led us to either good or bad fortune.
I do not believe in pure chance; I do not believe that things begin without prior causes—except for “nothingness”, which my mind cannot fathom. To me, nothingness does not exist, because my knowledge and reasoning are confined to the realm of tangible, existing things.
If something surrounds and influences existing entities, then it is illogical to assume that it appeared out of nowhere.
So if I were to die today, it would not be due to “destiny” as it is commonly believed, but rather because of the specific circumstances that led to my death today rather than another day.
Destiny is Not a Divine Force—It is You
Destiny exists, but it is neither God nor an external supernatural force controlling us. Instead, destiny originates from within us; we are what we deserve to be and what we choose to become.
In truth, there is no single source of destiny, but rather an infinite web of interconnected factors that shape our lives:
🔹 Destiny may lead me to meet a certain person, but in reality, I might not meet them because my mental state or personality prevents it.
🔹 I may be on the verge of achieving something great, but fear or unpreparedness might hold me back.
We are co-creators of our destiny—either by fulfilling it or by preventing it.
Can We Influence Our Destiny?
Today, we can only understand our destiny by analyzing what happens to us deeply.
We should reflect on our lives from time to time, to anticipate what may come and what destiny has in store for us. If we put enough effort into it beforehand, we might:
✔ Avoid the worst by making the right decisions at the right time.
✔ Accelerate the best outcomes if we know how to seize the opportunities before us.
But… is there truly such a thing as “the best”? Or is destiny merely a series of events to which we later assign meaning?
Reflections on Destiny
“A man with a sense of humor never takes a direct hit, because he never shows his full face; he remains somewhat reserved, making him almost invisible on destiny’s path.”
— Jean Dutourd, “Happiness and Other Thoughts” (1980)
Jean Dutourd, in an attempt to simplify the concept of destiny, compared it to the narrative style of the Gossip Girl character, stating:
“We are the ones who summon what happens to us and then call it destiny. What could be easier than choosing a slippery path and claiming we were meant to be on it?”
Conclusion
Destiny is not an inescapable fate that cannot be altered; rather, it is the direct result of our choices and actions. While we may not control all circumstances, we do control how we respond to them.
If we become more aware of our decisions and life’s trajectories, we can reshape our destiny in alignment with our aspirations.
So, do you truly want to know your destiny?
Look at the decisions you make today, and you will find your answer tomorrow.
You can also read:Definition of the Term Ex-Muslim
