Al-Qadaa wal Qadr ( Fate and Destiny)

When mentioned separately either one means the other, but when stated together these two terms differ in their meanings, hence when generalised Al-Qadr encompasses both Al-Qadr and Al-Qadaa in meaning and vice versa. But when it is stated Al-Qadr wa Al-qadaa (or Al Qadaa wal Qadr) then Al-Qadaa refers to the decision of Allah concerning a specific matter, the knowledge of which is revealed to the angels, whereas al-Qadr refers to the predestined decree of Allah as recorded in the Preserved Tablet, and the knowledge of this is only with Allah.

Put another way, when mentioned together as Al-Qadaa wal Qadr, al-Qadaa is subject to change at Allah’s discretion whereas al-Qadar is that which is maintained in the Preserved Tablets written before the Creation and will never change. The matters of al-qadaa are recorded with their respective changes in the Preserved Tablets.

To give an example let us review the hadith of the Prophet wherein he states,

"A man might be deprived of a provision (that was written for him) because of a sin that he commits; only supplication changes Al-Qadar (Predestination); and only Birr (righteousness) can increase the life span." An-Nasai and ibn Majah collected this Hadith.

Here the Messenger of Allah states that du’a (supplication) can change the Qadr, whereas above we stated that al-Qadr can in no way change as this is what Allah has written in the Lawh al-Mahfooth (Preserved Tablet). But if we look closer we will notice that al-Qadr is here mentioned separate from al-Qadaa and thus the ruling is: when mentioned separately either one means the other.

So in this case we understand that the word qadr in this hadith takes on the meaning/understanding of qadaa, and this is why supplication, sinning, and righteousness all may effect the Divine decision, but nothing can affect what Allah has already written and decreed.

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

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried." Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi (2516), from the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbaas.

Al-Mubaarakfoori said:

"The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried" means, What has been decreed has been written in al-Lawh al-Mahfooth (the Book of Decrees), and nothing else will be written after that is finished. " Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 7/186

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) explained that

"Allah had written the ordained measures (and due proportions) of the creation, fifty thousand years before the creation of the heavens and the earth and His Throne was on the water" (saheeh Muslim v4 pg. 1397)

Allah ordered The Pen (Al-qalam) to write the records of all preordained measures and qualities until the hour would be established.

Narrated Abee Hafsah: Ubaadah bin Saamit said to his son:

"Oh son! You shall not get the true sense of Imaan (faith) until you know that what has befallen you was not going to miss you and what missed you was not going to befall upon you.

I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saying:

"As soon as Allah created the pen, he commanded it saying: “Write!” It said: "what should I write my Lord?" Allah said: "Write the record of all things to happen till the establishment of the Hour". Oh my son I have heard Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saying: "He who dies believing other than this is not from me"(i.e. is not upon the Prophet’s belief) (Abu Dawud).

Understanding these points, we must further know that the writing is of two types: one kind which cannot be altered or changed, and that is what is contained in al-Lawh al-Mahfooth (Preserved Tablets); and another type which may be altered or changed, which is in the hands of the angels (al-Qadaa). And the ultimate outcome is what is written in al-Lawh al-Mahfooth. This is one of the meanings of the words of Allah when He says:

"Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al Lawh Al Mahfooth)" [al-Ra’d 13:39]

Hence we can understand what was narrated in the Sunnah, that upholding family ties increases one’s lifespan or increases one’s provision; or that du’a (supplication) can alter the divine decree (as explained above). For Allah knows whether His slave will uphold the ties of kinship or make du’a, so He writes in al-Lawh al-Mahfooth that this person will have more provision or a longer life span.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked:
Can provision increase or decrease? Is provision what a person eats or possesses?

He replied: Provision is of two types:

1 – That which Allah knows He will provide, which cannot be changed.

2 – That which He has prescribed and told to the angels. This may increase or decrease depending on causes. If Allah commands the angels to write provision for a person if he upholds the ties of kinship, Allah will increase his provision because of that. It was proven in the authentic hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life span to be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship."

Similarly the life span of Dawood was extended by sixty years and Allah made it one hundred years, after it was originally forty. This is as ‘Umar said:

"O Allah, if you have decreed that I am to be doomed, then erase that and make me one of those who are to be blessed, because You blot out whatever You will and confirm whatever You will."

And there is a great deal of corroborating evidence. The means of acquiring provision comes under the heading of that which Allah has decreed. If it has been decreed that a person will earn his provision by means of his work and efforts, then Allah will cause him to work and strive, and that which is decreed for him by means of his work will not come to him without him working to earn it. And what has been decreed for him without his having to earn it, such as an inheritance, will come to him without him working for it.

Work or striving is of two types:

striving in work for the sake of earning a living, such as industry, farming and business; and striving in du’a, putting one's trust in Allah, treating others kindly, and so on. Allah will help His slave so long as His slave helps his brother.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 8/540, 541.

Moreover, it is part of the Sunnah to ask from Allah when supplicating to Him that he be Merciful to us concerning the Divine decision (al-Qadaa) and to change it if it is not so.

Hence Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him) entitled a chapter in his Saheeh "Whoever seeks refuge with Allah from having an evil end to this worldly life and from having a bad decree, and the verse:

"Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He has created" [al-Falaq 113:12]."

Then he quoted the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):

"Seek refuge with Allah from the difficulties of severe calamities, from having a bad end and bad decree." (al-Bukhaari, 7/215, Kitaab al-Qadar).

Free Will and the Decree of Allah

The next matter we shall turn to is the understanding of the Decree as it relates to Allah’s Foreknowledge of all matters. Many people believe that there is no such thing as free will (Jabriya) due to their lack of a correct understanding of this point. How can it be that Allah knows what we shall do and has written it, and yet we still have free will?

It is beneficial to remind ourselves of a very similar example in our own lives that can help us better understand this point. Undoubtedly anyone who reads this article now has at some point studied in a classroom of some sort, under the instruction of a teacher or a professor. Many of you also probably have attended a course along the years where on the first day of the class the teacher stated during the introduction to the course that routinely a certain percentage of the course will get an A, another relatively specific portion will get a B, and so on and so forth until he informs you – or rather threatens you – with the portion of people who fail the course.

Now do you think it would be fair, or that it would get you anywhere, to argue with this instructor at the end of the semester if you turned out to be among those that failed? Could you tell him that it was indeed his fault that you failed because he said a certain percentage would fail at the beginning of the term?

This teacher knows by his experience that there are those who take the class seriously and thus they routinely do well. Whereas others procrastinate and lack the necessary motivation and thus they fail. At the end of the day it was you that decided to either do what was necessary to pass or you that lazily procrastinated until it was too late and thus failed. You have the freedom to choose your path.
Another example illustrates the same point, but in a different way. Those of you that have younger siblings or those of you that are parents develop a unique and intimate knowledge of your siblings or children over time. It may even sometimes appear that you know them better than they know their own selves. Many of you can actually predict with an amazingly high degree of accuracy what they would do in any given situation.
Is it not then so difficult to understand that Allah, the All-knowing and Aware who knows what is in your hearts and minds; that He knows what you will do in the situations he places you in even before you do them – even before you are created? Is not the One who fashioned you and created you and then guided you unable to know what you shall do from His infinite knowledge and ability?

If you yourself can predict the behavior of students, or your siblings, or your own children that you raise through difficulty upon difficulty; is not then Allah, to whom belongs al-Mathal al-‘Alaa (the Most Supreme Example) able to predict your behavior through His knowledge even though there are no factors driving you beyond your own self to do whatever you choose to do? And moreover, He in His great and infinite Mercy does not bestow upon you a burden greater than that which you are capable of handling as he states,

“Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear” 2:286

as truly he knows you and your ability better than you know yourself.

Lastly, we do not know what has been decreed until after the fact. Allah has given us free will and freedom of choice, but we do not move beyond the framework of the will and decree of Allah.

To sum it up, there is no contradiction between freedom of our will and the idea that Allah decrees all things, which we do not know until after they happen. And Allah knows best, and to Allah belongs all the Praise.

References:
The Four Levels of the Belief in al-Qadr, Dr. Saleh as-Saleh
Tafseer ibn Kathir

Why are we Intimidated?

Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “A man should not let intimidation by people prevent him from speaking the truth if he sees or witnesses a situation where he should do so. Speaking the truth or mentioning something important will not shorten his life or delay his provision.”

Today we as Muslims have become a nation who is easily intimated. We are intimidated by Western society, by our rulers, by our friends, by our husband or wife, by our own culture. There is a constant pressure to keep reforming our Islamic views to conform to today’s idea of liberalization & freedom.

When it comes to standing up and speaking the truth to our corrupt rulers or politicians. OR speaking out about the un-islamic system being implemented in our Muslim lands OR our resources being funnelled out to big corporations while the people are going hungry OR inadequate education system OR lack of healthcare (the list goes on)…... our biggest fear is that of death or if some thing were to happen to me who will support my family.

This concept is not with true teaching of Islam. Because as the Hadeeth mentions, the Prophet is promising us that these matters are in Allah’s hands and no one can take away our sustenance or of our families' from what Allah has appointed nor can death touch us except at the appointed time.

Prophet (PBUH) mentions:

"Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried."

Although these days we as Muslims have no shortage of excuses to stay quite and let the injustices continue it does come at a price. The Prophet mentions:

“If the people witness an oppressor and they do not take him by his hands (to prevent him) then it is near that Allah will cover them all with punishment.”

Isn’t this our reality? Our inaction has become our own demise. We think that by staying silent and ignoring the torment of the Muslims we are protecting our selves and close ones. But the reality is that day by day we are loosing our own identity, our kids, peace of mind, and our dignity. We think by just making supplication our situation will change, but on the contrary Allah says:

“Truly, God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11)

But even the biggest mystery these days is that we are staying quite on matters that don’t even concern our lively hood or is a matter of life or death. We are intimidated by our friends, relatives or spouses.

• We are intimidated and choose to stay quite at the wedding ceremonies. We ignore the fact that men and women are mixing together. We choose to turn a blind eye when our women adorn in a un-islamic way drawing attention from other men. What would generally be described an atmosphere in the western clubs with every one dancing and loud music is happily accommodated and tolerated

• Similarly mix gatherings are becoming a norm for men and women in colleges, with the common thought being that it is innocent friendship and if commingling is accepted by our society then so is the case in our religion

• We are intimated to buy new car or a house on interest payments because our friends are doing so or we are expected to do so after graduation or marriage, even though it is beyond our means

• Our Muslim women are intimidated to dress other than the Islamic attire or some version of western clothing with the illusion of Islamic dress code. In countries a jilbab and khimar is even looked upon as being extremist or back ward.

• We continue to sit in the company where back biting is common or the atmosphere is un-islamic. Although we know this is a sin, yet we are intimidate to go along with this idol gossip

Every one of us can come up with plenty more examples. But how long will we stay quiet and choose to ignore the fact that our return is to Allah and will be questioned about the time given to us up here. How long will we stay defiantly disobedient?

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient. (Quran 3:110)

Fear and intimidation are tools of Shaitan. Ibn al-Qayyim said in his book ‘Ighathat al-Lahfan’:

“From the plots of the enemy of Allah (i.e. Satan) is that he makes the believers afraid of his soldiers and allies. So, they do not strive against them; they do not enjoin what is good, and do not forbid what is bad. This is from his greatest plots for the believers, as Allah has informed us:

“It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So, do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.” (Quran 2:175).”

The meaning according to the scholars of Tafsir is that Satan makes you afraid of his allies. Qatadah explained this by saying: “He makes them great and powerful in your heart.” This is why Allah (swt) said: “…So, do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.” So, the stronger your faith becomes, the weaker the fear in your heart will be of Satan’s allies, and the weaker your faith becomes, the stronger the fear in your heart will be of them.”

When the fear of Allah fills the person’s heart, there will be no room left in the heart for fear of anyone else. If the person realizes the greatness of Allah and that He possesses Great Power, Overwhelming, Mighty, Dominating, Supreme, is the One who controls everyone and that person realizes His presence, then everything else will appear insignificant and all of the powers on Earth will be of no significance to him. So, if all of the powers on Earth do end up gathering against him, this will not push him off the path he has chosen or cause him to turn away from his correct belief. This will only increase him in faith and submission:

“…Those who convey the message of Allah and fear Him, and fear none except Allah, Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner.” (Quran 33: 39)

“Those to whom the people said: “Verily, the people have gathered against you a great army. So, fear them.” But it only increased them in faith, and they said: “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” So, they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them, and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah, and Allah has great bounty. It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So, do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.” (TMQ 2: 173-175).

“That is because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, but those who reject Allah have no protector.” (TMQ 47:11)

Islamic Perception of Death

“Say: The Death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then will you be sent back to the Knower of all things secret and open: and He will tell (the truth of) the things that you did!” (Al-Jumu’a: 8)

The idea of Death is certainly nothing new or mysterious. We as Muslims believe in it, and understand it is a beginning of an ever lasting journey. If any one asked me as to how long would I live, my response will be I don’t know….may be tomorrow or may be till I am 90. So the in-evitability of death is definite, but it is clear from our actions that this idea has yet to be crystallized in our minds. Because if each and every one was to reflect their daily actions, it will be evident that they not being conducted as if we were prepared to meet our Lord soon. We carry out our life affairs expecting to see tomorrow and as if knowing that we have been given an extension on life.

Prophet said: “If you awoke in the morning, do not speak to yourself of the evening, and if you reach the evening, do not speak to your self of morning. Take from your life for your death, and from your health for your illness, as you, oh Abdullah, do not know what your name will be tomorrow” (Bukhari)

The common notion that plagues our ummah is that there is always time to ask for forgiveness. To turn over a new leaf, and to stop committing Haraam.There is time to perform Hajj or start learning our religion. We always have an excuse to postpone our obligations towards Allah…let me just get establish career wise, or let me dress islamically when I get married or what can I do when evil is every where. Although this is the very concept that Allah (swt) warns us in the Quran

“And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says ‘Now I repent’ nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them have we prepared a painful torment” (An-Nisa: 18)

And in another place the Prophet said:

“The clever one is he who disciplined himself and worked for what is after death, and the feeble one is he who followed his desires, then made (vain) prayers to Allah”

This among many other verses and sayings of the Prophet; remind us of our return to Allah. To worship him in each and every aspect of our lives not just the five pillars of Islam. To be great full of His bounties and to repent of our sins.

Due to the absence of an Islamic ruling system, and living under Capitalistic system that promotes separation of church and state; this has also affected our thinking. Unlike them we as Muslims believe that every action we perform is directly tied to hereafter. Because either we are doing it in accordance to Allah’s commandments that gain His pleasure or are disobeying Him.



Uthman bin Affan (RA), in the last Sermon he gave in his life, said: “Allah (swt) gave you this world to request the Akhirah (Hereafter), and did not give it to you for you to rely upon, for this World ends and Akhirah is ever lasting. So let not that which ends make you disregardful, nor keep you busy from that which lasts. Choose to seek that which lasts over that which ends; for this world will be cut off and our return is to Allah”

So the question is do we fear death due to love of this materialistic life or because we will be brought infront of our Lord. If I really understand this concept then:

• Am I fulfilling all the obligations of Allah (swt)
• When I invest or save my money is it done in Halal means
• When I buy a property/house or a vehicle is it attained through Halal contract
• Do I understand the concept of mixing with opposite gender whether through email, facebook or in person. Even if is harmless chat.
• Do I understand the effect of company that I surround my self with
• Do understand proper Islamic attire
• How is my relation ship with my parents and relatives

These are just a few of the examples from our daily lives that most of us probably face every day. Remembrance is not crying and wailing and blaming one’s self when one is on the brink of death, or attending a funeral or visiting graves alone. Rather, remembrance of death is when a believer imagines that he will meet his Lord at any moment, and his actions will be cut off, as will his ability for repentance. So he will be aware of himself, careful to obey Allah (swt), wary of his Lord ever second of his or her life.

So how would I know if I am truly ready to meet my Lord….

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If the Nur (light) enters into the breast, it widens. Then someone asked: is there a visible sign of that, Oh Messenger of Allah? He said: Yes, increased renunciation of the dwelling of vanities, and the desire for the everlasting dwelling, and preparation for death before its time”

The purpose of this post is to be a reminder for each and every one of us to understand the importance and the temporary state of this life. To know that death is a gateway to the real life which is dependent on our actions from this given time on earth. To really ponder this concept of Death so that our affairs are in accordance with Allah's commandments.

I will end with the following verse to be a reminder for all of us.

“Know that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. It is as the likeness of vegetation after rain thereof the growth is pleasing to the tillers; soon it withers; then you will see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a severe torment (for evil doers). And forgiveness from Allah and (His) good pleasure (for good doers). And what is the life of this world, but a deceiving enjoyment? Race one another (in seeking) Forgiveness from you Lord, and a Garden of bliss, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers: that is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He pleases: and Allah is the Lord of the Grace abounding. (Al-Hadid: 20-21)

Abu Yusuf