THE BENEFITS AND EFFECTS OF BADA'

[Taqavi]

What are the Benefits and Effects of the Belief in Bada’?

 

To understand the benefits and effects of Bada’, one must first define its meaning: Bada’ occurs when Allah manifests a matter that was inscribed in the "Tablet of Erasure and Affirmation" (Lauh al-Mahw wa al-Ithbat). This may be something that even certain near-stationed angels or Prophets were aware of—where an angel informed a Prophet, and the Prophet informed his Ummah—but subsequently, the reality unfolds differently from that prediction. This is because Allah erased that previous decree and brought another matter into external existence.

All of this was within His absolute and perfect knowledge. However, it was within His 'Hidden and Guarded Knowledge' (Al-'Ilm al-Makhzun al-Masun), which neither a near-stationed angel, nor a Messenger-Prophet, nor a tested servant (Wali) has been granted access to. This station of knowledge is what the Holy Quran refers to as the 'Mother of the Book' (Umm al-Kitab). Allah refers to both this and the first station (the Tablet of Erasure and Affirmation) in the verse: "Allah erases what He wills and affirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book".[1]-[2]

Bada’ is, in truth, a manifestation of Allah’s continuous interaction with humanity, opening new paths for guidance and forgiveness; this very meaning is considered a sign of His infinite Mercy.

Important benefits lie within the belief in Bada’; faith in it reminds us that Allah is managing and organizing the universe at every moment. Such a perspective manifests the station of Allah’s Lordship (Rububiyyah). For instance, regarding the verse: "And there will appear to them from Allah that which they had not taken into account", [3] it is narrated that when Allah observes a servant practicing "silat al-rahim" (maintaining family ties), He increases their lifespan; when He sees them severing family ties, He shortens it. When it becomes manifest to Allah that a servant has committed adultery, He reduces their sustenance and lifespan, and when chastity and restraint are manifested, He increases both. [4] This view challenges the belief of Jewish, who consider Allah to be "hand-tied" or withdrawn from the administration of affairs. [5]

 

The Late Ayatollah Al-Khoei regarding the significance and benefits of Bada’ states:

"This perspective is, in fact, a clear emphasis on the meaning that the universe—in both its origin and its continuity—is under the absolute dominance and power of the Divine. Allah’s Will flows through all beings from eternity to eternity. Belief in Bada’ points to this reality and clarifies the distinction between Divine Knowledge and the knowledge of creatures. For the knowledge of a creature—even at the rank of Prophethood or Wasayah (Successorship)—never reaches the breadth and encompassment of Allah’s knowledge. Even if some of them, through Divine teaching, become aware of all the realms of possibility, they still lack encompassment of that portion of knowledge which Allah has reserved for Himself. They only become aware of the realization or non-realization of Divine Will regarding the emergence of something if Allah informs them of it with certainty."

Belief in Bada’ directs a human toward greater reliance on and attention to Allah; meaning the servant seeks the fulfillment of prayers, the meeting of needs, the tawfiq (success) for obedience, and the avoidance of sin from Allah. In contrast, denying Bada’ and believing that whatever the Pen of Decree has written will happen without exception leads to human despair regarding the efficacy of prayer. If what the servant seeks is already fixed in the decree, its realization is certain and prayer plays no role; if the opposite is decreed, prayer will not change it. Such an outlook discourages the servant from prayer and supplication, viewing them as fruitless.

This same meaning applies to other acts of worship and charity (Sadaqah), which are introduced in the narrations of the Ma’sumeen (AS) as causes for increasing lifespan, expanding sustenance, and fulfilling human needs. It is for this reason that the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) emphasized the importance and status of Bada’ in numerous narrations. [6]

 

Allameh Al-Majlisi mentions four fundamental benefits and wisdoms for Bada’:

1.    Increase in Knowledge for Angels: Bada’ allows the scribing angels and those aware of the Tablet of Erasure and Affirmation to witness Allah's grace toward His servants and their attainment of what they deserve in this world. This leads to an increase in the angels' recognition and gnosis (Ma'rifah) of their Lord.

2.    Invitation to Good and Deterrence from Evil (The Impact of Deeds): When people hear through the Prophets and Divine Proofs (Hujjahs) that their good and bad deeds have a direct impact on their destiny (within the Tablet of Erasure and Affirmation), this awareness becomes a motivation to hasten toward good deeds and avoid sins.

3.    Divine Trial and Examination for the Awliya: Sometimes Prophets or Awsiya (Successors) are informed of the contents of the Tablet of Erasure and Affirmation, but later the opposite occurs. In this state, they are required to surrender and submit to Allah's new Will. This is a difficult task and a great trial that increases their reward and distinguishes believers with firm certainty from those whose footing in religion is weak.

4.    Providing Hope and Comfort to Believers (Expectation of Relief): Bada’ is a way to keep hope alive in the hearts of believers awaiting the victory of truth and the relief (Faraj) of the Awliya of Allah. Allameh Majlisi points to two examples:

The Story of Prophet Nuh (AS): The news of the destruction of his people was delayed several times (to sift out the true companions).

The Relief of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS): If the Shia, at the beginning of their trials and the severity of their afflictions, knew that their relief would not come for another thousand years, they might have despaired and turned away from religion. However, they were informed of the "closeness" of the relief so they would remain steadfast in religion and be rewarded for their "Expectation of Relief". [7]

Conclusion:

In religious thought, Bada’ refers to Allah manifesting a matter to His servants that was previously hidden from them. This belief demonstrates the absolute sovereignty and dynamic will of Allah in governing the universe, challenging the notion that "Allah’s hand is tied." Its most significant educational benefit is instilling hope and vitality in life; the servant realizes that through prayer (Dua), charity (Sadaqah), and righteous deeds, they can alter non-absolute decrees and escape despair. Furthermore, Bada’ serves as a tool to test the submission of Allah’s Awliya (Prophets and Imams) to His new Will and serves to increase the knowledge of the angels. This doctrine, by promising the possibility of change during hardships, calls believers to patience and the "Expectation of Relief" (Intizar al-Faraj), preventing them from turning away from religion during prolonged trials. In essence, Bada’ is a manifestation of Mercy and the continuous interaction between the Creator and humanity for guidance and forgiveness at every moment.

 

 

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[1] . Ar-Ra’d: 39. «يَمْحُوا اللهُ ما يَشاءُ وَيُثْبِتْ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الكِتابِ»

[2] . Asl al-Shi'a wa Usuluha, Al-Sheikh Muhammad Husayn Kashif al-Ghita, p. 313. For further reading, refer to the question: "What is the concept and nature of Bada'?"

[3] . Az-Zumar: 47. «وَبَدَا لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَحْتَسِبُونَ»

[4] . Al-Tawhid, Al-Sheikh al-Saduq, p. 336.

[5] . Bihar al-Anwar (Dar al-Ihya al-Turath edition), Al-Allamah al-Majlisi, Vol. 4, p. 109.

[6] . Al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Al-Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei, p. 391.

[7] . Bihar al-Anwar, Al-Allamah al-Majlisi, Vol. 4, p. 131.