Whatever the answer, the fact is that we all in some way believe that there is such a thing known as fate, if you are a believer in a religion then that is part of your faith. But the word fate is often used interchangeably with destiny, and the two words actually have very different meanings.
Fate is traditionally seen as a higher power or agency that predetermines and orders the course of events. Fate defines events as ordered or "inevitable" and unavoidable. Classical and European mythology features three goddesses dispensing fate, known as Moirai in Greek mythology, as Parcae in Roman mythology, and as Norns in Norse mythology. They determine the events of the world through the mystic spinning of threads that represent individual human fates. So fate is thought to be out of the hands of man and for a believer in the hands of God.
Destiny is from the word destination and is used with regard to the finality of events as they have worked themselves out; and that same sense of "destination", which is somewhere in the future directly effects the flow of events as they will work themselves out. In other words human beings can alter their destiny because of their God given free will.
So, "fate" relates to chain of events leading to the future of an individual, whereas "destiny" relates to the choice of chain of events reaching their ultimate destination. Fate implies no choice, but with destiny human beings participate in achieving an outcome that is directly related to them.
TaHa Chapter 20 : Verse 52
The Holy Qu'ran only mentions fate once as above and that is a quoted response by Pharaoh, who trys to incite the Israelites against the Holy Prophet Moses (as) by saying if what Moses (as) says is true then surely his own forefathers had no divine guidance and so were deserving of divine punishment. A profound quote that serves as timeless reminder that these ideas and words are still being presented to us today by many atheists. And beautifully the Holy Qu'ran goes on to show the answer as given by the Holy Prophet Moses (as) - a lesson for us all:
He said, ‘The knowledge thereof is with my Lord recorded in a Book. My Lord neither errs nor forgets.’
It is He Who has made the earth for you a cradle, and has caused pathways for you to run through it; and Who sends down rain from the sky, and thereby We bring forth various kinds of vegetation.
Eat ye and pasture your cattle. Verily, in this are Signs for those who are endued with reason.
From it have We created you, and into it shall We cause you to return, and from it shall We bring you forth once more.
And We did show him (Pharaoh) Our Signs, all of them; but he rejected them and refused to believe.
TaHa Chapter 20 : Verse 53 - 57
Contrasting fate with destiny we find the following three verses regarding destiny in the Holy Qu'ran:
Surely, We sent it down on the Night of Destiny.
And what should make thee know what the Night of Destiny is?
The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
Al-Qadr Chapter 97 : Verse 2 - 4
So pondering upon the above verses and quote, it is clear that our fate and its knowledge thereof is with Allah (swt), recorded in a metaphorical book and that Allah (swt) neither errors nor forgets what is past, present or future. But because we have been given the gift of free will, we have been bestowed the power to create our own destination ie destiny - Heaven or Hell. And our choices directly bear upon such rewards that will benefit us on the Day of Judgement.
Therefore going back to the Hollywood lines we are fed - in this case and it is wrong yet again - we cannot make our own fate but we can shape our destiny for ourselves. May Allah (swt) raise us in righteousness and rememberance of Allah (swt) that we may acheive the very best destination in the hereafter. Ameen.
By Ansar Khan Regional Nazim Taleem, if you would like to read more by this or other inspiring authors visit www.tahirregion.weebly.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this article with your friends.