In the article titled ‘Success’, we established that true success is achieved by obedience to the divine will. The question then arises, “what is the divine will?” The answer is that “nobody knows” with certainty. In many religious and spiritual traditions, the focus of the divine will is essentially the same and it implies that events and outcomes are ultimately guided or determined by this higher power, and that humans should strive to align themselves with it. Different religions and
belief systems have varying interpretations of divine will and it is up to us to determine which is accurate. Here are some examples of interpretations as per
various religions.
- Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam): These religions have the same premise, divine will is often associated with the will of God. Believers may see divine will as revealed through sacred texts, prophets, or personal experiences of revelation. Therefore, we must accept the divine will as described most accurately in each religion. If we look atJudaism, there are arguments both for and against the corruption of the Hebrew Bible. Regardless of the validity of these arguments, they are sufficient to cast a doubt on its description of the divine will. If we look at Christianity, we find various battles, revolutions, protests, etc. focused on determining the correct interpretation of the Bible and consequently the divine will. This has led to many scholars to abandon faith and accept atheism, most notably Dr. Bart Ehrman. Islam is the only religion that has kept its scripture, the Quran, consistent. Therefore, we must attempt to understand the Quran so we can understand the divine will.
- Hinduism: In Hindu philosophy, the concept of divine will is often expressed through the idea of dharma, which encompasses duty, righteousness, and the cosmic order. The renowned scholar Dr. Ved Prakash Upadhay argues that Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures and he will be truthful. Therefore, following divine will in Hinduism is to follow the divine will as per the Quran.
- Confucianism: This belief system is more focused on ethical and moral principles, social harmony, and the proper ordering of society. Its sacred scripture, the Lunyu, is probably a compilation of his teachings as recalled by his disciples after generations. As such there is no mention of divine will.
- In Shinto, the concept of “divine will” is deeply intertwined with the belief in kami or way of the Gods, which are spirits or deities that inhabit various natural phenomena, objects, and ancestors. There is no scripture or doctrine that defines divine will.
- Buddhism: Buddhist traditions may still speak of a cosmic order or naturallaw that governs existence. Following divine will in Buddhism may involve
- living in accordance with the principles of karma, practicing mindfulness and compassion, and seeking enlightenment. Its sacred scripture, the Tipitaka, is probably a compilation of his teachings as recalled by monks.Here again, there is no mention of divine will.
In Confucianism, Shinto and Buddhism, the divine will must be ‘borrowed’ from other religions that possess a definition of the divine will. Therefore, the most accurate description of the divine will is found in the Quran. There are many critics that will deny this fact so I will attempt to provide evidence that the Quran is indeed the word of God and thus defines the divine will.
The Quran expressly states the divine will as, “doing good and forbidding evil”. This command is found in various verses in the Quran. This is also expressly stated in various other scriptures or there is a similar statement to that effect. All the religions of this world support the premise that doing good is meritorious and doing evil is malicious. Unfortunately, the definition of ‘doing good’ or ‘doing evil’ differs based on perspectives, ideologies, doctrines, etc. Therefore, we must follow the islamic ideology for an accurate description of “doing good” or “doing evil” so we can form a better perspective.