Luck In Islam

What does Islam say about luck?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Brother in Islam,

Linguistically, ‘luck’ means, apparent success brought about by chance. According to the oxford dictionary, the word luck means the force that causes good or bad things to happen. In Islam, we believe all good and bad is from Allah Ta’ala and everything happens exclusively by the command of Allah Ta’ala. In today’s context, the word ‘luck’ is commonly used to wish someone well, or to acknowledge a gift a person has been bestowed with. However, if a person uses the word luck and believes it to mean as defined by linguists, then it will be impermissible.

We, as Muslims believe that all things in this World are destined by Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala knows what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. Outwardly, certain things seem to be a cause of luck or coincidence. But a Muslim believes that his time of death, sustenance and means of livelihood were pre-determined by Allah Ta’ala when he was still a foetus in his mother’s womb. 

Hence, in the life of a Muslim there is no scope for luck or coincidence. Rather, he is to act according to the commands of Allah Ta’ala and his messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam) and he is to believe that this is a form of taking necessary worldly measures and the results are up to Allah Ta’ala.

With regards to the word حظ, there are different definitions given by linguists of the Arabic language, including; fortunate, lucky and portion. The word appears seven times in the Quran. In some verses, the word is translated as fortunate, whilst in other it is translated as portion.

You have made reference to the following verse:

وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ (فصلت: 35)

Translation: ‘None is granted it except one having a great portion (of good).’

Exegetes have mentioned that the interpretation of حظ عظيم could mean those who will earn most rewards, whilst others say it could mean Jannah. Therefore, using this verse to prove that Muslims believe in luck, is incorrect. Yes, indeed, a person will be lucky if he is granted the qualities mentioned in this verse because, in our custom, the word luck also refers to someone who has been blessed with a bounty from Allah Ta’ala. Hence, using the word luck in its common usage today and believing in its original concept are two different things.

Another verse of the Quran wherein the word حظ is used:

فَخَرَجَ عَلَى قَوْمِهِ فِي زِينَتِهِ قَالَ الَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا يَا لَيْتَ لَنَا مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ قَارُونُ إِنَّهُ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ (قصص: 79)

Translation: ‘So he emerged among his people in pomp and splendour. Those who desired the world gaped, “if only we also possessed what Qaroon has! Undoubtedly, he is the owner of great fortune”.’

In this verse, Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu Anhu) and many other exegetes have mentioned that the words, حظ عظيم, refer to the vast portion of the Dunya that was given to Qaroon.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.