Question(26):

What about the pillar of belief in al-Qadar.

Answer:

The belief in al-Qadar is one of the six pillars of Eemaan that the Messenger of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) stated to Jibreel when the latter asked him about Eemaan. This matter is of paramount importance. In fact, people disputed in the issue al- Qadar for a longtime. Even during the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم ), people disputed and argued about it. Likewise until this day  people are still in dispute. All praise is to Allaah; the truth concerning al-Qadar is clear and evident so there is no need for disputing and arguing. And so, the belief in al-Qadar is to believe that Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) gave everything its due and decreed measure as He, The Most High, Says:

This measure which Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) has Pre-decreed is in accordance with His Wisdom and in compliance with that which is necessitated by this Wisdom from noble objectives and beneficial outcomes for the people in their worldly affairs and in the hereafter (Paradise). The belief in al-Qadar centers upon four matters: The First Rank: al-‘Ilm (Knowledge) which means to fully believe that Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) has encompassed everything with His Knowledge including that of the past, present, or the future, whether with regard to His Actions or the actions of His Creation. He has always and eternally Known everything, both the general and the specific details. The proofs for this rank of al-Qadar in the Qur’aan and Sunnah are many. Allaah, The Most Blessed and The Most High, Says:

And also He, The Most High, Says:

And additionally, The Most High, (Allaah) Says:

In addition to other verses proving that the Knowledge of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) encompasses everything in general and in details. Anyone who denies the belief in this rank of al-Qadar then he is an unbeliever because he disbelieves Allaah and His Messenger as well as the general consensus of the Muslims, and because he defames the Perfection of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ). This is because the contrary of knowledge is either ignorance or forgetfulness, and both are imperfection. Indeed Allaah, The Most High, Says about Moosaa,‘alayihis-salaatu was-Salaam, when Fir’awwn (the Pharoah) asked him:

So He is not unaware, meaning He is not ignorant about anything of the future, nor does He forget anything of the past.The Second Rank: Al-Kitaabah, which means that Allaah, The Most High, Wrote the measures of everything until the establishment of the Hour. In fact, as soon as Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) Created the Pen (al-Qalam) He commanded it Saying: “Write!” The Pen said: “What should I write, my Rabb?”
Allaah Said: “Write all that which will occur.” At that time the record of all that which will take place until the Day of Resurrection was written, collectively and comprehensively. So Allaah wrote the measures of everything in the Preserved Tablet. This stage and the one before is proven by the Saying of The Most High:

He said (what means): “It is all in the Book,” meaning that it is something known to Allaah, and “in the Book” refers to the Preserved Tablet. Furthermore, this writing is sometimes detailed as in the case of the embryo in his mother’s womb. After completing four months, Allaah sends an angel to it commanding him to write down four words recording its provisions, life-span, actions and whether it will be wretched or fortunate, as it has been established in the authentic hadeeth reported by ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’oud (رضي الله عنه). In addition, there is the record written in the Night of Decree (Laylatul-Qadr) concerning what will occur over the whole
year, as Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ) Says:

The Third Rank: Al-Mashee’ah, which means that everything in existence, whether it is from those matters pertaining to His Actions or those matters pertaining to the actions of the people, takes place by the Mashee’ah (Will) of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic. Allaah, The Blessed and Most High, Says: 45 The night of Qadr, soorah no. 97, in the month of Ramadaan.
 

These are in addition to many other texts that prove that His Actions takes place in accordance with His Will, as He The Most High, Says:

And this is a clear text that Allaah had Willed the actions of the slave to occur, and that if He had Willed not for him to act, he would not act. The Fourth Rank: The Khalq and that is to believe that Allaah is The Creator of everything, for He is The Creator and everything besides Him is Created. Creatures are a Creation of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic. Anything, of their actions and sayings is a Creation of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى). This is because man’s sayings and actions are from his attributes. Knowing that man is created, then his attributes are a Creation of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى). The proof for this is the Saying of Allaah, The Most High:

proving that man’s deeds are a Creation of Allaah, The Most Mighty and Most Majestic. These are four ranks whereby the belief in Pre-decree cannot be completed except by believing in them. We repeat them saying: To believe that

(i) Allaah, The Most High, knows everything, both the general and the specific details,

(ii) He wrote the decreed measures of everything in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawhul-Mahffooth),

(iii) everything in existence exists by the Will of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى ), and

(iv) Allaah, the Most High, is The Creator of everything.

Then know that the belief in the Pre-decree does not contradict the utilisation of means. In fact, deployment of the means is something commanded by the Law (Shar’a), and it occurs by reason of Pre-decree, since causes bring forth their effects. And for this reason, it is mentioned that when Ammerul- Mu’mineen (the leader of the believers) ‘Umar ibn Al- Khattaab was on his way to ash-Shaam, he was told that the country was inflicted by the Plague; he consulted with the sahaabah (رضي الله عنه) as to whether he should continue the journey or return to al-Madeenah. People disagreed about it. Then a decision was reached to return to al-Madeenah. When ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) made up his mind, Abu ‘Ubayydah ‘Aamir ibn Al-Jarraah, whom ‘Umar used to respect and dignify, approached him and said: “O Ameerul-Mu’mineen! Why should you return to al-
Madeenah! Are you running away from the Pre-decree of Allaah? He (‘Umar) رضي الله عنه replied: “We run away from the Pre-decree of Allaah to the Pre-decree of Allaah.”

Afterwards ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin ‘Awff (رضي الله عنه), who had been away in connection of some of his needs, returned and told them that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said concerning the plague: “If you hear of its presence (an outbreak of plague) in a land, do not go to it.” ⁴⁶

Briefly, the relevant thing is the saying of ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه): “We run away from the Pre-decree of Allaah to the Pre-decree of Allaah.” This proves that taking the appropriate means is from what Allaah has ordained. We know that if a man says: “I will believe in Allaah’s Pre-decree and that Allaah will grant me a son without having a wife,”–if he says this, he would be considered from amongst the insane ones! Similarly, if he says: “I believe in Allaah’s Pre-decree but I will not seek the means of sustenance,” and that he did not take on any means of sustenance, it would be considered foolishness!

The belief in al-Qadar (Pre-decree), therefore, does not contradict the legally approved means or the correct physical means or approaches. As to the illusionary means, considered as means by their claimers–yet they are not, are [really] of no consequence and deserve no attention.

Then know, that an uncertainty respecting the belief in al- Qadar is raised; though in reality, however, it is not. It is for someone to say: If my action is Pre-decreed by Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى), then why should I be punished on committing a sin when it is something already Pre-decreed by Allaah? The response to this is to say: You have no proof in using Allaah’s Pre-decree as an excuse for the sin you committed, because Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى)  did not compel you to commit such sin; and that when you embark on committing it, you do not have the knowledge that it is Pre-ordained upon you, because man does not know of what was Pre-decreed except after it is manifested.

So before committing the sin, why did you not take into consideration that Allaah has Pre-decreed obedience on you and therefore you obey Him? Just as in your worldly affairs you strive to take care of that which you consider good, and you turn away from that which you see as evil, then why do you not treat yourself accordingly in affairs pertaining to the Hereafter? And I believe that there is nobody after being told that there are two roads that lead to Makkah, one is safe and facilitated and the other is dangerous and difficult, would take the dreadful and difficult road and then say that: “this has been Pre-decreed for me”! He will certainly take the safe and easy road. Consequently, there is no difference if you are told that there is a road to Paradise and another to the Fire. So, if you take the road to the Fire, then you are like the one who took the dreadful and rough road to Makkah. Yourself will criticize this man who took such a road. So, why do you accept for yourself to take the road to the Fire of Hell and turn away from the road to bliss? And if man has a proof in Pre-decree for committing sins, then it would not be removed by sending the Messengers.⁴⁷

There remains a brief statement regarding al-Qadar, and it pertains to the fact that belief in Pre-decree produces magnificent fruits affecting the conduct and the heart of man. Because if you believe that everything occurs by the Pre-decree of Allaah, then at times of delight you will give thanks to Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic, and you do not become amazed with your own self. You do not also think that this matter occurred by your own power and strength. You do, however, believe that it is just a cause– in case you have done the necessary mean by which you have attained that which delights you–and that all the good is in the Hand of Allaah. So you will be more thankful for the blessing granted by Allaah, The One free of all imperfection, The Most High. This will motivate you to carry on the obedience to Allaah in accordance with that which He commanded you, and that you do not regard your own self having a favor upon Allaah. Rather, you see that the favor is His, The One free of all imperfection, The Most High. He, The Exalted, says:

They regard as favor upon you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that they have embraced Islaam. Say:

Similarly, if a calamity befalls you, you believe in Allaah and submit without being regretful or afflicted with grief on that. Have you not given thought to the saying of the Prophet ?(صلى الله عليه وسلم):

“A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allaah than a weak believer, and there is good in every one of them. Cherish that which gives you benefit and seek help from Allaah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, do not say: If I had not done that, it would have not happened so and so, but say: Allaah did that which He had Pre-decreed, and He does whatever He Wills, and
that “if” opens the way for the acting of Shaytan [by casting opposition to Allaah’s Pre-decree in the heart].” ⁴⁸

So, in the belief in the Pre-decree there is rest to the soul and heart and absence of grief at that which escaped, and of worry and distress at that which is to come. Allaah, The Most High, Says:

As to the one who does not believe in al-Qadar, there is no doubt that he will grieve and regret at times of calamities, and the Shaytaan will open up for him every new way or possibility [to confuse him and keep him dissatisfied]. And That he will be pleased and become proud and deluded if prosperity befalls him. The Eemaan in the Pre-decree,however, prevents all of this.

 

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⁴⁶ Reported by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh, vol.7, no.625, and in Saheeh Muslim, vol.4, no.5504.

⁴⁷ Since their sinful acts after the sending of the Messengers would still be according to the Pre-decree of Allaah.

⁴⁸ Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh, vol.4, no.644. The statement between the brackets,“[…]”, is the explanation of al-Qaadee ‘Iyaad in Sharh Saheeh Muslim by An-Nawawee.