Shenakht Journal of Psychology & Psychiatry

Introduction: The predestination has always been one of the most important topics in the field of Islamic philosophy, mysticism. This issue not only has a special place in the theoretical and abstract space, but also a profound impact on human understanding of existence, destiny, and his relationship with God.
Aim: This study examined the impact of belief in fate and destiny—as manifestations of divine knowledge—and perceived agency on individuals' mental health.
Materials: This systematic review followed established protocols for reviewing scientific literature. Data were collected from scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Study selection adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Results: Findings from the theoretical and empirical literature indicated that coercive interpretations of fate and destiny are often associated with increased learned helplessness, anxiety, and depression. In contrast, beliefs in personal agency and responsibility increase psychological resilience, self-efficacy, and reduce psychological vulnerability. Moreover, an examination of religious teachings—particularly within the Islamic tradition—reveals that the universe operates within a dynamic and fluid system. Within this framework, each being contributes to the course of its own evolution and development through the exercise of free will. However, this free will functions within the broader system of divine destiny and predestination. Importantly, divine destiny does not necessarily negate free will; rather, the two can coexist.
Conclusion: A balanced integration of concepts such as destiny, predestination, and free will is regarded as a constructive framework for understanding, preventing, and intervening in psychological disorders.