Dr. Ayman Abu Omar, Awqaf Undersecretary for Da’wah Affairs, affirmed that du’a can change destiny, especially the contingent destiny restrained from a person due to sins. He cited Allah’s words about Prophet Yunus (Jonah):
{Had he not been of those who glorify, he would have remained in the belly until the Day they are resurrected}, showing that his glorification, seeking forgiveness, and du’a changed his fate—an example of contingent destiny that can be altered by du’a and worship.
Dr. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti and member of the Senior Scholars, explained that du’a does not change Allah’s eternal knowledge but may alter the “written record” observed by angels, where outcomes can change according to the supplication of the servant, while Allah’s knowledge remains perfect and unchanging.
Sheikh Owaida Osman, Director of Verbal Fatwa at Dar Al-Ifta, clarified that there are two types of decree: contingent and fixed. Du’a only affects the contingent decree, while the fixed decree cannot be altered by any means. Contingent decree is written in the angels’ records to be granted if the servant prays, illustrating how du’a can affect certain predestined outcomes.
Thus, du’a is a powerful spiritual tool to seek closeness to Allah and to influence contingent destiny, in accordance with His will.
