Al Qadr/ Fate in Islam - Divine Decree

 

What is meant by al-Qadar is that Allah has decreed all things from eternity and knows that they will happen at times that are known to Him, and in specific ways, and that He has written that and willed it, and they happen according to what He has decreed. [al-Qada wa’l-Qadar by Dr ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Mahmoud, p. 39] 

Basics of belief in al-Qadar

• Knowledge, i.e., that Allah knows what His creation will do, by virtue of His eternal knowledge. 

• Writing, i.e., that Allah has written the destiny of all creatures in al-Lawh al-Mahfuz. 

• Will, i.e., that what Allah wills happens and what He does not will does not happen. There is no movement in the heavens or on earth but it happens by His will. 

• Creation and formation, i.e., that Allah is the Creator of all things, including the actions of His slaves. They do their actions in a real sense, and He is the Creator of them and of their actions. 

Reference to Al-Qadar in the Quran

• “And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record” [al-An'am 6:59]

• “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah” [al-Hadid 57:22] 

• “And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [al-Takwir 81:29] 

• “Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainment of all things before their creation as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz)” [al-Qamar 54:49]

Belief in al-Qadar is based on four things: 

Whoever believes in these four believes in al-qadar. 

The Quran affirms these things in numerous verses, such as the verses in which He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

Muslim (2653) narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” He said: “And His Throne was upon the water.”

The Prophet was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, do the verses and supplications we recite and the medicine we take to cure ourselves waive the qadar of Allah?” He replied, “They are themselves from the Qadar of Allah.” (Mustadrak al-Hakim)

Hunger, thirst, feeling cold, are seeks to satisfy hunger through eating, thirst through drinking and coldness by keeping warm. A person seeks to fend themselves from what was decreed for them from hunger, thirst and coldness by what was decreed for them from eating, drinking, and seeking warmth. They seek to prevent one qadar with another.

One must fulfill whatever means are possible to achieve his goal, for the means are also a part of qada and qadr. One becomes pleased with the results (whatever they may be), which in turn produces peace of heart and spiritual comfort.

There is no room for stress, worry, or sadness. It is known that stress and unrest of heart leads to many sicknesses. Having belief in this concept prevents and cures many of these sicknesses. Allah says what means:

No evil befalls on the earth nor in your own souls, but it is in a book before We bring it into existence; surely that is easy for Allah: So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you; and Allah does not love any arrogant boaster. (Al-Hadid 57:22-23)

Reference to Al-Qadar in the Quran

The Quran affirms these things in numerous verses, such as the verses in which He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

• “And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record” [al-An’am 6:59]
• “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah” [al-Hadid 57:22] 
• “And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [al-Takwir 81:29] 
• “Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainment of all things before their creation as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz)” [al-Qamar 54:49]

Muslim (2653) narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” He said: “And His Throne was upon the water.”

The Prophet was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, do the verses and supplications we recite and the medicine we take to cure ourselves waive the qadar of Allah?” He replied, “They are themselves from the Qadar of Allah.” (Mustadrak al-Hakim)

Hunger, thirst, feeling cold, are seeks to satisfy hunger through eating, thirst through drinking and coldness by keeping warm. A person seeks to fend themselves from what was decreed for them from hunger, thirst and coldness by what was decreed for them from eating, drinking, and seeking warmth. They seek to prevent one qadar with another.

One must fulfill whatever means are possible to achieve his goal, for the means are also a part of qada and qadr. One becomes pleased with the results (whatever they may be), which in turn produces peace of heart and spiritual comfort.

There is no room for stress, worry, or sadness. It is known that stress and unrest of heart leads to many sicknesses. Having belief in this concept prevents and cures many of these sicknesses. Allah says what means:

No evil befalls on the earth nor in your own souls, but it is in a book before We bring it into existence; surely that is easy for Allah: So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you; and Allah does not love any arrogant boaster. (Al-Hadid 57:22-23)

Belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah about al-Qadar

The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama’ah is that a person has freedom of will (Choice) , and hence he will be rewarded or punished. But his will is subject to the will of Allah, and nothing can take place in the universe that is not willed by Allah. 

What some people say, that we have the choice to follow whatever path we want but at the end of this path you will find what Allah has decreed for you, is a correct view. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful” [al-Insan 76:3] 

“And shown him the two ways (good and evil)?” [al-Balad 90:10] 

“And say: “The truth is from your Lord.” Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve” [al-Kahf 18:29]

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