💫 IRĀDAH (ارادة‎): Exploring Divine Will and Human Intention in Islam

Comprehensive Definition

Irādah (ارادة‎): Derived from the Arabic root “ر و د” (r-w-d), the term Irādah connotes will, intention, or purpose. Broadly, it encapsulates two fundamental aspects:

1. Human Intention: The personal resolve or aim driving individual actions.
2. Divine Will: The supreme and all-encompassing will of God, governing the cosmos and human existence.

In Sufi mysticism, Irādah is metaphorically described as “a flame of love in the heart which desires God and longs to be united with Him” (ʿAbdu ʾr-Razzāq’s Dictionary of Ṣūfī Terms). This highlights the spiritual yearning to transcend mundane existence and achieve unity with the Divine.

Etymology

The term Irādah stems from the triliteral root (ر و د) which means to desire, request, or seek. The nominal form, Irādah, signifies the act or condition of willing and intending.

Background

Irādah has deep roots within Quranic doctrine and Hadith literature, playing a central role in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and particularly in Sufi literature. This term intricately ties into the broader theological discourse regarding predestination (Qada’ wa Qadar) and human free will.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

Similarities:

• Concept of Will: Many religious traditions hold a concept of divine will (e.g., God’s will in Christianity) and human intention (e.g., Karma and Moksha in Hinduism).
• Spiritual yearning: Sufi interpretation aligns with the mystic traditions of other religions where spiritual longing and divine unity are prevalent themes.

Differences:

• Islamic context: In Islam, Divine will (Irādatu’ Allah) harmoniously co-exists with human free will, each unfolding within the parameters set by God’s knowledge and decree.
• Unique Application in Sufism: Irādah, as a profound spiritual yearning and path, is vividly elaborated in Sufi poetry and philosophical discourse, framing Allah as the ultimate beloved.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

• Niyyah (نية‎): Intention. Often used interchangeably but generally pertains to intention preceding prayers and other rituals.
• Qasd (قصد): Aim or purpose. Indicates a directed intention towards an objective.

Antonyms:

• Takhthīṯ (تخطِیۂ): Abandonment. Suggestive of lacking intention or will.

Related Terms

• Qada’ wa Qadar (قضاء و قدر): The belief in predestination, indicating Divine Will in all life events.
• Tawakkul (توكل): Trust in God’s plan, showing surrender and acceptance of Divine Will.
• Niyyah (نية‎): Especially significant in ritual acts, highlighting the purity of intention.

Exciting Facts

• Rumi’s Poetry: Many verses by the famous Sufi poet, Jalaluddin Rumi, underscore this concept, emphasizing ardent longing and the journey towards the Divine.
• Sufi Orders: Most Sufi orders (Tariqas) start novices on a journey known as “the path of love,” where cultivating Irādah is central to spiritual progress.

Quotations from Notable Writers

1. Jalaluddin Rumi: “The flame of your love is the light of my Irādah, igniting pathways towards the eternity.”
2. Iqbal: “Irādah shapes destiny, the potent will to seek the Beloved transforms the essence of being.”

Suggested Literature and Sources

• “The Eleventh Hour: The Spirituality of the Sufis” by Attilio Gaudio: A pertinent book examining the Sufi perspective on Irādah.
• “Al-Ghazali’s Path to Sufism: His Deliverance from Error” by Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali: Offers insights into the Sufi doctrines of love, longing, and divine will.
• Qurʾānic Exegesis and Literature on Predestination by Divine Will: Foundational for comprehending the theological underpinnings.

References

• ʿAbdu ʾr-Razzāq’s Dictionary of Ṣūfī Terms
• The Quran
• Rumi’s poetic works

Quizzes to Explore

Final Thought

“O heart, harbor within yourself the Irādah, for in it lies the noble journey towards the luminous face of the Divine.”

May your path always shimmer with the light of true intention and divine alignment.

— Layla Al-Hossaini, October 3rd, 2023