The belief of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah with regard to Qadar and

QaDaa’Abu AbdirRahman Muhammad

Humble

An introduction to Qadar and QaDaa

• Ibn ul Qayyim said: “It is a sea with no end to it, and there is no way out of it for any of Allah’s creation; Islamic legislation is the ship of safety, whoever climbs aboard it is saved, and whoever leaves it is drowned”

• We understand from this that the topic is a dangerous one, and one which many have been misguided in

• We also understand that the only way to be saved is to follow the Qur’aan and the Sunnah

Why learn about this at all?• If the subject is so dangerous and difficult, why learn about it at all?

– Allah has made it a pillar of our imaan, and we cannot have true imaan in something without understanding what we are being asked to believe in

– Learning about Qadar and QaDaa, is of two types:• Sticking strictly to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. This is praiseworthy,

otherwise what is the benefit in these ayaat and ahadeeth?• Any other method. This is blameworthy and takes many forms. From this is

asking: “Why did Allah guide this person and not guide this one?” and from this is understanding Qadar according to intellect and desire

– Sometimes not speaking about something leads people to harbour doubts and mistakes in their belief, which can easily be removed, if Allah wills

– Allah has praised knowledge, and never praises ignorance– Atheism thrives on misguidance in Qadar: “How can Allah exist when

we see so much suffering in the world?”– We sometimes say things that deny Qadar: “You don’t deserve this!”– The salaf set an excellent example for us. They talked about the

correct belief in Qadar and QaDaa, and they warned about the mistakes of the misguided

Qadar and QaDaa in the Arabic language

• QaDaa: It has many meanings, all of them centre around finishing or completing something

• Qadar: The verbal noun of Qadara Yaqduru meaning to know the quantity of something and its other attributes

Qadar and QaDaa in Islam• It is said that they both mean the same thing• It is said that they are from those words which “when they

are separate come together, and when they come together separate”– When they are separate both mean the same thing– When they are together, the scholars who hold this opinion

differed about the difference between them:• It is said that Qadar is the previous knowledge according to which

Allah created all things and ruled by it from eternity, and that QaDaa refers to the creation of those things – i.e. when Allah brings them into being. (For example, if someone died – the fact that Allah always knew that they would die at that time and had decreed that they would die at that time, would be called Qadar, and when Allah causes that death to happen, it would be called QaDaa)

• The second opinion is the opposite of the first• In reality, all of these opinions are simply ijtihaad from the

scholars, and there is no text to support one opinion over the other

• When you look at the Qur’aan and the Sunnah you find that the word Qadar occurs more often than QaDaa

The ruling of believing in Qadar

• Belief in Qadar is waajib• Qadar is a pillar of imaan, without which

imaan does not exist• This tells us how important it is for us to

believe in Qadar properly• The texts which we find in the Qur’aan and

Sunnah about Qadar are of two types:– Proof of the existence of Qadar– Proof that we have to believe in Qadar

A few proofs of Qadar from the Qur’aan

• “Indeed, all things We created with predestination” [Al Qamar 54:59]

• “...And ever is the command of Allah a destiny decreed” [Al-Ahzaab 33:38]

• “Did We not create you from a liquid disdained? * And We placed it in a firm lodging * For a known extent * And We determined [it], and excellent [are We] to determine” [Al-Mursalaat 77:20-23]

• “And who destined and [then] guided” [Al-’Alaa 87:3]• “... But [it was] so that Allah might accomplish a matter

already destined...” [Al-Anfaal 8:42]• “When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it

is” [Aal-’Imraan 3:47]

A few proofs of Qadar from the Sunnah

• The hadith of Jibreel (see notes for Hadith class)• Taawoos said: “I met some people from among the companions of

the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), they said: “Everything happens by Qadar,” and I heard Abdullah bin ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Everything [happens] by Qadar, even helplessness and resourcefulness – or he said: resourcefulness and helplessness”” [Muslim]

• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, and good is in both of them. Stick to that which will benefit you, seek help from Allah, and do not feel helpless; and if something [bad] happens to you, don’t say: ‘If only I did this or that,’ but say: ‘Qadar-ullahi [or: Qaddar-allahu] wa maa shaa’a fa’al’ ‘[It is] Allah’s decree [or: Allah has decreed] and He does what He wants,’ for indeed ‘If’ opens [a door] for the shaytaan’s work” [Muslim]

The Aqeedah of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah with regard to Qadar and

QaDaa

• The aqeedah of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah with regard to Qadar and QaDaa, can be summarised in three core principles

• These principles should be memorised word for word

• Whoever understands these three principles and acts upon them has completed their imaan in Qadar

Principle 1

• “Ahl-us-Sunnah believe that everything that exists in this universe, whether objects or actions, do not escape Allah’s knowledge, writing, will, and creation”

The four stages of Qadar (1)• This principle explains to us the four stages of Qadar:1. Knowledge

– Ahl-us-Sunnah believe that Allah knows everything, both general and specific. His knowledge has no beginning and no end. Nothing is ever outside of his knowledge. Nobody can encompass the smallest amount of His knowledge without His permission. His knowledge encompasses what exists and what doesn’t exist, what is possible, and what is impossible. He knows what has happened and what will happen, and what something would be like if it did happen – whether that thing is possible or impossible:

– “Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion, and they would have been active among you, seeking [to cause] you fitnah” [At-Tawbah 9:47]

– “Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah , they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah , Lord of the Throne, above what they describe” [Al-Anbiyaa’ 21:22]

The four stages of Qadar (2)

2. Writing– Ahl-us-Sunnah believe that Allah wrote in al-lawh

al-mahfooDh (the Preserved Tablet), everything that will happen until the Day of Judgement.

– Abu Haazim Salamah bin Deenaar (a Taabi’ee) said: “Allah knew before He wrote, and He wrote before He created. So creation happened according to His knowledge and His writing”

Other types of decree• There are some other types of decree, which are a part

of general Qadar. All of these are written in the Preserved Tablet:– The decree that happens once in a person’s lifetime. This is

when Allah commands the angel to go to the unborn child and write its provision, lifespan, deeds, and whether it will be from the people of paradise or the people of hellfire

– The decree that happens once a year. This is on laylat-ul-Qadar when it is written the provision of the year, and who will die during it

– The decree that happens every day. This is mentioned in Surah Ar-Rahman: “Whoever is within the heavens and earth asks Him; every day He is bringing about a matter” [Ar-Rahman 55:29]

The four stages of Qadar (3)3. Will

– Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah believe that everything that happens in this universe, happens by the will of Allah, and that He wants it to happen.

– Ash-Shaafi’ee wrote a poem: “ma shi’ta kaana, wa in lam ash’a wa maa shi’tu in lam tasha’ lam yakun. Khalaqtal-ibaada alaa maa ‘alimta, wa fil ‘ilm yajree al fataa wal musinu, alaa dhaa mananta wa hadhaa khaldhata, wa hadhaa ‘a’anta wa dhaa lam tu’in, fa minhum shaqee’un wa minhum sa’eedun wa minhum qabeehun wa min hum hasan”• What you willed has happened, even if I didn’t will it, and what I willed if you

didn’t will it, didn’t happen• You created your slaves upon what you know, and in your knowledge are the

young and the old• This one you favoured, And this one you forsook, and this one you helped and

that one you didn’t• From them are the wretched and from them are those who are happy, and

from them are the ugly and from them are the beautiful

Important points with regard to the will of Allah

• Whatever happens, happens by the will of Allah. Therefore, whatever doesn’t happen is because Allah does not want it to

• Allah’s will is of two types:– That which Allah wills to happen – whether He loves it or He doesn’t

love it– That which Allah loves to happen – whether it happens or not

• The two come together when a good deed happens, because Allah willed it to happen, and Allah loves it to happen

• The two are not present when a bad deed doesn’t happen, because Allah didn’t will it to happen, and Allah doesn’t love it to happen

• The first type is present on its own when a sin, or something permissible happens, or something exists that we have no proof that Allah loves it, because Allah willed it to happen but He doesn’t love it to happen

• The second type is present on its own when a good deed doesn’t happen, because Allah didn’t will it to happen, but Allah loves it to happen

Questions about Allah’s will

• For each example, explain which – if any - of the two types of Allah’s will are present:– The Imaan of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (may Allah be

pleased with him)– The Kufr of Abu Jahl– The Imaan of Abu Jahl– The Kufr of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with

him)– The existence of a car

Some important observations• We can see from this that just because something

happens, doesn’t mean that Allah loves it to happen• Whatever Allah wills to happen must happen, but

whatever Allah loves to happen, may happen and may not happen

• If something happens that Allah hates, Allah does not want it to happen for the sake of it, but wants other benefits that happen as a result of it (The example of amputating a leg)

• If Allah loves something to happen, this means that the thing is obligatory or recommended. If Allah wills something to happen, it does not carry any ruling

Why does Allah decree bad things to happen?

• The answer: Out of His perfect wisdom• Allah does not create pure evil• Allah wants the things that happen as a result• Ibn-ul-Qayyim mentiones more than 30 benefits that

occur as a result of the existence of sin, from them:– Tawbah– Knowing that Allah is All-forgiving, and this necessitates

that there will be sins– The slave knows his constant need of Allah– Because a slave sins and wants to be forgiven, he acts

towards others in a forgiving manner

The four stages of Qadar (4)

4. Creation– Ahl-us-Sunnah believe that Allah is the creator of

everything. Everything that exists in this universe was created by Allah, whether objects, characteristics, or actions.• I emphasise that the Qur’aan is the speech of Allah,

and is totally uncreated in every aspect

Principle 2

• “There is no contradiction between affirming Allah’s will and that Allah has created our actions, and between affirming that our actions belong to us and that we have a will”

Our actions are created

• Our actions are created. However, they are still our actions. How can we reconcile these two principles?– Sometimes Allah creates directly, and sometimes

Allah creates indirectly. For example, we all know and believe that Allah created us, and yet we know that we come from our mother and father. Allah created us using our mother and father. Thus the way that Allah created Adam (peace be upon him) was different from the way that we are created, but all are from Allah’s creation.

Some important points about our actions

• Our actions are our own, and are attributed to us. For that reason we are rewarded and punished because of them.

• The servants of Allah have an ability to do things, that Allah has given them. However, the servants own ability is not enough for something to happen. Rather, it can only happen with Allah’s help and by removing the things which prevent it (and this is also from Allah).

• The servants of Allah have a will. However, their will cannot escape the will of Allah.

Principle 3

• “Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah believe that guidance and misguidance are in the hands of Allah; He guides whoever He wills as a blessing from Him and a favour, and He misguides whoever He wills from His perfect wisdom and justice”

Guidance• Guidance is from Allah, He guides whoever He wills

from His slaves• This guidance is a pure favour from Him, the servants

of Allah do not deserve anything from Him• The granting of this blessing and favour returns to

Allah’s knowledge and wisdom. So whoever Allah guides, He does so because of His knowledge and wisdom

• Allah grants guidance in two ways:– The initial guidance which Allah gives to His slaves– When the slave is guided and does good deeds, they

increase him in guidance

Misguidance• Misguidance is pure justice from Allah– Allah has shown the way to the truth and established His

proof upon His creation– Those who have been misguided have preferred

misguidance over being guided• Misguidance is pure wisdom from Allah.– This is because wisdom involves putting something in its

correct place– If the disbelievers were to be returned to the earth after

the hellfire, they would still disbelieve• Misguidance is a punishment from Allah and has two

aspects:– Punishment for not believing in the first place– Punishment for following falsehood

Why did Allah guide some and not guide others?

• Allah is not asked about what He does but the servants are asked about what they do

• Allah knows best who is deserving of His favour

• Withholding a favour is not oppression, especially if the person didn’t deserve the favour in the first place

If we know everything is pre-decreed, should we act?

• This should make us act not make us lazy• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Act, for that which you have been

created for will be made easy for you”• Some of the sahaabah said after hearing the explanation of Qadar: “I have

never worked so hard as I do now”• The harder you work to achieve your goal, the easier Allah will make it for

you to achieve – if you work hard you will be nearer in description to those who Allah loves

• You don’t know what has been written for you, you can only act• Allah has created things which cause other things to happen. Imagine a

person who sat on his own in his house saying ‘If Allah wills me to have a child it will happen’. Everybody would laugh at his stupidity and say: ‘go and get married!’ Even more stupid than him is the person who doesn’t worship Allah to the best of his ability saying: ‘If Allah has written that I will go to Jannah – I will go.’

• The one who does the actions of the people of paradise then goes to hell will not have been sincere in his actions

• Never say “Why”!!

The Benefits of believing in Qadar (1)

• Perfecting your tawheed – because belief in qadar is a part of the Oneness of Allah in His Lordship – that He has complete control of the world and everything that is in it, and everything depends completely upon him.

• 2. Increasing your imaan – As Allah says: “No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah . And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” Alqamah – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “The aayah is referring to a person who is struck by a disaster but he knows it is from Allah so he accepts it and ispleased with it” – and so Allah guides his heart.

• 3. Achieving true ikhlaas (sincerity) – because you realise that Allah controls everything and therefore there is no reason to show off in front of anyone else

• 4. Achieving complete trust in Allah – because when you know that everything comes from Allah you rely on him completely.

• 5. Fear of Allah – because when you really believe in qadar you accept that you don’t know what is written for you at the end of your life.

The Benefits of believing in Qadar (2)• 6. Achieving true patience – because everything that happens is from Allah and you can’t change it,

so it makes you practice being patient upon every single thing that happens to you. And patience is from the attributes of the believers. Allah said: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return.’ Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.” And patience is the way of the Prophets and the pious. As Luqmaan the wise advised his son: “O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.” And patience is of three general types: patience upon doing good deeds, patience upon keeping away from sins, and patience upon what happens to you from the qadar of Allah. And when you achieve this – being patient upon what happens to you and thanking Allah for what He has given you – you become from those people who the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said about them: “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything. If he is prosperous, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him".

• 7. There is a level of belief in qadar which is even higher than being patient; to be content with what happens to you as a result of qadar. There is a level even higher than that when you are actually happy with what happens to you because you know that Allah is the one who decreed it for you. And that is the highest level of belief in qadar.

• 8. It allows you to be satisfied with what you have and to be far away from jealousy, because you could not have got what the other person had and they could not have got what you have, and you know that every single form of good is from Allah and He gives it to whoever He wills. Allah said: “And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.”