In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, how is the word "maktub" used?

In Paoulo Coelho's The Alchemist, the
word "maktub" is first introduced to Santiago (the boy) by the crystal merchant. The boy
hears it later spoken around the campfire as he (and the Englishman) journey with the
caravan to the oasis.

Santiago is swindled out of all the
money he has received by selling his sheep. He is stranded, unable to return home or
move on. As much as he dislikes his situation, he gets a job with a crystal merchant.
This is certainly a part of God's greater plan for Santiago, for he learns a great deal
from the crystal merchant, most specifically about pursuing one's Personal Legend. The
crystal merchant missed his opportunity to do so; Santiago finally
decides he will not make the same
mistake.

One evening, as the boy and the merchant speak,
the crystal merchant utters an Arabic word that Santiago does not understand (although
they are both speaking Arabic). The older man explains that in the boy's language,
"maktub" means "it is written." This gives the sense that it presents a truism: it might
be thought to mean, "it is so," or "this is how it should
be."

When the boy presents another suggestion to the
merchant to serve tea to thirsty travelers in the crystal glasses—to refresh them
and to sell crystal, the merchant admits that he is slow to change
because he likes things the way they are. However, he agrees to the change, and says,
"maktub." He is saying "it will be so." And the sense with this word appears to be that
this change is preordained. This is the way it is supposed to
be.

When Santiago and the Englishman begin their trek to
the oasis, a camel driver offers his advice:

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"Once you get into the desert, there's no going
back...And, when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving
forward. The rest is up to Allah, including the
danger."

And he concluded by saying the mysterious word:
"Maktub."

It appears that the
word "maktub" means this is the way it will be and there is no point fighting
it. As far as Santiago is concerned, the universe does,
in fact, conspire to bring about his happiness, and "maktub" is basically saying that
this is the way it is, the way it will be. And as the omens and
nature lead him on, Santiago's path seems certain—perhaps unavoidable—for he is in tune
with the world, and it will show him the way.