Was Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas afflicted with blindness, and did he refuse to supplicate for the return of his sight, saying: "Allah's decree is more beloved to me than my sight"? And is this considered a station of contentment with Allah's decree that warrants emulation? And what is the correct approach between supplication and patience in the face of decree? And how can one differentiate between divine decree and a poor choice?

The story mentioned about Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) has not been authentically narrated with a sound chain of transmission. Rather, some scholars mentioned it using a صيغة التمريض (a weak or unconfirmed form). There is a difference between patience with divine decree (qada’) and being content with it. There is no contradiction between being patient during tribulation and supplicating for its removal, just as a bad choice does not fall outside of divine decree.