Belief in Qadar (Destiny)
The Sixth Pillar of Iman (Faith)
To believe in Qadar (destiny), that the good of it and the bad of it is all from Allah (S.W.T.).
Allah (S.W.T.), the Exalted, is the Creator, Lord and Sustainer of everything in existence. Neither good nor evil comes into being without His will and knowledge.
Abu Hurairah (R.A.) said: The Prophet (S.A.W.) came out while we were disputing about Qadar. He got so angry that his face became red, as if the pomegranate was squished on his cheeks; and he said:
Is this what you have been ordered with? Indeed those before you perished when they disputed in this matter, I asked that you resolve not to dispute in it. [Hadith Hasan, Related by Tirmidhi]
THE DEFINITION SHOWS QADAR TO CONSIST OF
- The primordial knowledge of Allah (S.W.T.) by which He arbitrated and decided the existence and creation of whatever He willed, all written in al-lawhul mahfooz (The Preserved Tablet). Thus everything that had, has and will happen in this life and in the universe has been explicitly written to the fullest detail.
- The creation (the concept of bringing about or creating) of all things written in exactly the same way and fashion as in al-lawhul mahfooz.
However, the disbelievers will often use Qadar as a reason not to believe. Some pagans claimed that since Allah (S.W.T.) had allowed them to commit disbelief and practice polytheism, He must have approved of it, and thus they attempted to shield their misdeeds behind Qadar. Others may claim that there is no sense in their believing and doing good if Allah (S.W.T.) already knows their outcomes. These and similar arguments are, as we shall see, baseless and false.
Iman Ahmad (R.A.) has narrated that the pagans came to the Prophet (S.A.W.), disputing with him over Qadar. Thereupon, Allah revealed some verses of Surah al-Qamar as a decisive rebuttal to them:
Indeed, the guilty ones are in error and frenzy. The day when they shall be dragged into the Fire on their faces, [it will said to them] "Taste ye the touch of Hell!" Indeed, We have created everything according to a Decree (qadar)." [Surah Qamar (54:47-49)]
PREORDAINMENT
We are required to believe that Allah (S.W.T.) knows everything that happens. "Indeed, Allah (S.W.T.) knows all things." [Surah Al-Anfal (8:75)]
Allah ! There is no god but He, -the Living. The self subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) 'Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High the Supreme (in glory). [Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)]
Before bringing creation into existence, Allah (S.W.T.) wrote on a tablet all things which were to come . The Prophet (S.A.W.) said,
"Allah (S.W.T.) wrote the measures of creation 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and earth" [Related by Muslim]
According to another hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad,
"The first thing that Allah (S.W.T.) created was the pen, and He ordered it to write everything that would occur until the Day of Judgment. " [This information is thus inscribed in in what is called Al-Lawhul Mahfooz, (The Preserved Tablet)]
"And all things have We recorded in a clear record." [Surah Yasiin (36:12)]
"Nay, it is a glorious Qu'ran in a preserved tablet." [Surah Al-Burooj (85:21-22)]
"When Allah (S.W.T.) created creation, He wrote a book, which is with Him above the Throne, (it says), 'My mercy overcomes My wrath! [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Al-Waleed ibn Ubadah entered upon his father, Ubadah while the latter was on his death-bed, and asked him for advice. 'Ubadah said, "help me to sit up." They did so, and then he said,
"My son ! You will never taste faith , nor reach the true reality of knowing Allah (S.W.T.), until you believe in Qadar (destiny), the good of it and the bad of it."
His son said, "O father! How am I to know what is the good of Qadar and (what is) the evil of it?"
Father said, "You should know that whatever missed you could never have befallen you, and whatever befell you could never have missed you....O son! If you die without being [certain] on this, you would enter the Fire." [Recorded by Ahmad]
"Allah (S.W.T.) created the creation according to His knowledge. He appointed measures for them and laid out life spans. Nothing was hidden from Him before He created them, and He knew all of what they would do before He created them.
He commanded them to obey Him and forbade them from disobeying Him. Everything runs according to His Qadar and will, and His will becomes effective.
The servants have no will except that which Allah (S.W.T.) wills them to have, for whatever Allah wills is, and whatever He does not will is not.
Allah (S.W.T.) guides whom He wills and grants him protection and well-being out of His grace. And He leaves to stray whom He wills, and forsakes him and puts him to trial out of justice.
Mankind acts in whatever way he wills, between His grace and justice. Allah (S.W.T.) is exalted above partners and rivals. No one can repel His Qadar, nor postpone His command, nor predominates against His Order. We believe in all of this, and are certain that all are form Him."
Continue to Part 2
