The two surahs included (in-part) in Juz' 10 refer substantially to conflict and retribution for disbelievers. Among the fire and brimstone I found an ayah of inspiration and respite.
That is because God never changes a blessing by which He blesses a people until they change what is in themselves, and because God is Hearing, Knowing (8:53).
Among surahs which discuss Allah's retribution, is an oasis which communicates to the believer, that earning Allah's blessings is exercised through their autonomy. The commentators say in response to this ayah, "God gives human beings intelligence, strength, free will, and good things in life, so that they can worship God and do good, but when they turn away from the blessings in favor of sin and lack of faith, they have changed what is in themselves" (p.496).
For me, someone who is seldom convinced of notions of destiny, particularly in cases of perceived misfortune, this autonomy is very encouraging. And yet, there are countless places in the Quran where God declares that things happen because He wills it. How do we reconcile this?
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