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Could you explain to me the Islamic view of the Divine Will and Decree (al-qada wal qadar)? What should I believe with regard to this topic?
Praise be to Allah.
We could talk at length about the Islamic view of the Divine will and decree but to make the subject easier to understand, we will start with an overview of this topic, then explain as much as space permits, asking Allah to benefit us thereby and to accept our efforts.
Belief in al-qada (the Divine will) means certain belief that everything that happens in this universe happens by the will and decree of Allah.
Belief in al-qadar (the Divine decree) is the sixth pillar of faith, and no one’s faith is complete without it. In Sahهh Muslim (8) it is narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) heard that some people were denying al-qadar. He said: “If I meet these people I will tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. By the One by Whom ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar swore, if one of them had gold equivalent to Mount Uhud and he spent it, Allah would not accept it from him unless he believed in al-qadar.”
You should also note that belief in al-qadar is not valid unless you believe in the four aspects of al-qadar, which are as follows:
“Such is Allah, your Lord! La Ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things” [Al-An’am 6:102]
Correct belief in al-qadar also involves believing in the following:
“To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight” [At-Takwir 81:28]
“Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope” [Al-Baqarah 2:286]
“And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allah wills the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [At-Takwir 81:29]
This is a summary of the belief of the first generations concerning this important topic. We will discuss some of this in more detail below, asking Allah to help us to say the right thing:
In Arabic, the word qada means perfection and completion, and the word qadar means evaluating and planning.
In Islamic terminology, qadar means Allah’s decree of all things from eternity, and His knowledge that they will come to pass at the times that are known to Him and in the specific manner that He has decreed and willed . They will happen the way they are meant to and the way they are created.
Some of the scholars said that there was a difference between them, but perhaps the most correct view is that there is no difference in meaning between al-qada and al-qadar, and that each of them points to the meaning of the other.
There is no clear evidence in the Quran or Sunnah to indicate that there is a difference between them. The scholars agreed that the one may be applied to the other, but it should be noted that the word qadar is most usually used in the texts of the Quran and Sunnah, which indicates that we must believe in this pillar. And Allah knows best.
Belief in al-qadar is one of the six pillars of faith which were mentioned in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when Jibril (peace be upon him) asked him about faith (Iman). He said: “(It is) to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in the Divine will and decree (al-qadar) both good and bad.” Narrated by Muslim, 8. Al-qadar is also mentioned in the Quran, where Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“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]
“And the Command of Allah is a decree determined [qadran maqduran].” [Al-Ahzab 33:38]
Belief in al-qadar cannot be complete until you believe in the following four aspects of this doctrine:
“He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” [Al-Hashr 59:22]
“and that Allah surrounds all things in (His) Knowledge.” [Al-Talaq 65:12]
“Know you not that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz). Verily, that is easy for Allah” [Al-Hajj 22:70]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah wrote the decrees concerning all created beings fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2653)
“And never say of anything, ‘I shall do such and such thing tomorrow.’ Except (with the saying), ‘If Allah wills!’” [Al-Kahf 18:23, 24]
“And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).” [At-Takwir 81:29]
“Allah is the Creator of all things.” [Al-Zumar 39:62]
“While Allah has created you and what you make.” [Al-Saffat 37:96]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has made every doer and what he does.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari in Khalq Af’al al-‘Ibad (25) and by Ibn Abi ‘Asim in al-Sunnah (257 and 358); classed as sahih by al-Albani in al-Sahihah, 1637)
Shaykh Ibn Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Just as Allah is the One Who created them – meaning people – He has also created that by means of which they act, namely their abilities and will, then they do various actions of obedience and sin, by the abilities and will which Allah has created.” (Al-Durrah al-Bahiyyah Sharh al-Qasidah al-Taiyyah, p. 18)
Belief in al-qadar is the real test of the extent of a person’s belief in Allah. It is the true test of how much a person really knows about his Lord and what results from this knowledge of certain and sincere faith in Allah, and His attributes of majesty and perfection. That is because al-qadar raises many questions for the one who gives free rein to his reasoning to try to fully comprehend it.
There have been many disputes concerning the issue of al-qadar and many people have engaged in debates and misinterpreted the verses of the Quran that mention it. Indeed, the enemies of Islam in all eras have provoked confusion in the Muslims’ beliefs by discussing the issue of al-qadar and stirring up doubts about it. So no one can have true and certain faith except the one who knows Allah by His beautiful names and sublime attributes, submitting to His commands with peace of mind and trusting in his Lord. In that case no doubts or specious arguments can find a way into his heart.
Undoubtedly this is the greatest proof that belief in al-qadar is more important than belief in the other pillars of faith, and that the human mind cannot independently come to understand al-qadar, because al-qadar is one of the mysteries of Allah in His creation; whatever Allah has disclosed to us in His Book or on the lips of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) we know, accept and believe in, and whatever our Lord has not told us, we believe in and we believe in His perfect justice and wisdom, and that He is not to be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.
And Allah knows best. May Allah send blessings and peace upon His slave and Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.
References:
For more, please see this category: Belief in the Divine Will and Decree
And Allah knows best.