Q:

Many people even muslims use these words. Do they lead to shirk?

Many people nowadays say something happened by coincidence or chance. Like saying things like “by coincidence the bus was late so he did not miss it” or “by chance he looked exactly like the boy on the bus even though they were not related” obviously as Muslims we know nothing is a coincidence as it is all a part of the Divine decree. But i have seen many people use these words casually and I am very concerned. Also can we say things like “so and so was punished for what they did” or not? So if we say a man yelled at a innocent child then fell over can we say “he was punished for his sin” or is that not allowed because only Allah knows these things is guessing that people are punished disrespectful?

A:

Wa alaykum assalamu wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

The usage of words like “coincidence” or “chance” depends on the belief and intention of the user. Such words may be used to express human perspective on events that take place without prior human arrangement, as in the examples you mentioned. Thus, a Muslim who believes in qadar (divine decree and preordainment) may use them in this sense. But one may not use these words to indicate the absence of divine preordainment.  Belief in qadar is an essential constituent of faith.

Allah knows best.