If everything is predestined, then why work and supplicate, and what is their value in changing destinies? And is man completely coerced with no choice, especially in light of the Prophet’s (PBUH) sayings: "Work, for everyone is facilitated for what he was created for," and "The people of Paradise are facilitated for the deeds of the people of Paradise, and the people of Hellfire are facilitated for the deeds of the people of Hellfire"?

There is no contradiction between preordainment (qadar) and taking means (asbab). Just as a person eats and drinks and does not rely on destiny, so too must he act in obedience to Allah and supplicate to Him, and not say, "If it were destined for me, it would have happened." Ja'far al-Sadiq said: "Allah willed things for us, and He willed things from us. What He willed from us, He made apparent to us, and what He willed for us, He concealed from us. So why should we be preoccupied with what He willed for us over what He willed from us?" Therefore, a person should occupy himself with what is willed from him, not with what is willed for him.