Qadar often called the divine predestination, fate, destiny, and divine decree is the "ability of Allaah" that He had full knowledge of everything before their existence, commanded the Pen to write them in the Preserved tablet (AIlauhul- Mahfuz), willed and created all things in their due proportion and according to a precise measure. He says: "Verily, We have created all things with Qadar." (Q54:49)
Alongside Qadar, there is a term used in the Shareeah, it is called Qadaa. When Qadaa and Qadar are mentioned separately, they have the same meaning, however when mentioned together Qadaa is the predestination of events while Qadar is the perfect precise execution and fulfilment of all things pre-destined to occur according to Allaahs Knowledge, what He has Written and what He has willed. Indeed, you cannot do anything except by Allaah Will and by His Permission. He says: "And you cannot will, unless (it be) that Allaah wills, the Lord of all creation." (Q81:29)
Qadar is an article of faith: Whoever disbelieves in al-Qadar has lost his faith and Islaam and hes by that a disbeliever. Jibril (AS) asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing be upon him) about Eemaan. He replied: "That you affirm faith in Allaah, in His angels, His books, His Messengers, in the Last Day and that you affirm your faith in the divine decree, the good of it and the evil of it ..." (Muslim)
At another time, the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) also said: "No slave will (truly) believe until he believes in Qadar, its good and bad from Allaah and until he knows that what has befallen him was not going to pass him by, and what has passed him by was not going to befall him. " (Tirmidhi)
Qadar encourages work and action: Since everything has been ordained, do we need to work? Yes! Belief in al- Qadar does not negate the fact that the servant has freewill and ability in those actions in which he has a choice. Allaah has not burdened anyone beyond his ability. He says: "Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned." (Q2:286)
You should continue to work and that which is destined for you will be made easy. Ali (RA) related that Allaahs Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) said: "There is none among you, and not a created soul, but has a place either in Paradise or Hell assigned for him and it is also determined for him whether he will be among the blessed or wretched. A man said: "O Allaah Messenger! Should we not then depend on what has been written for us and leave (doing) deeds as whoever amongst us is blessed will do the deeds of the blessed person and who amongst us will be wretched, will do the deeds of a wretched person?" The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: "The good deeds are made easy for the blessed, and bad deeds are made easy for the wretched. "Then he (peace and blessing be upon him) recited the verse: "As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allaah and fears Him, And believes in AI-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self sufficient. And belies AI-Husna, We will make smooth for him the path forevil" (Q92:5-9)
Benefits of Belief in Qadar: The belief in Qadar bears very great fruits for the believers. It increases our dependence upon Allaah in whatever we have done after having carried out the necessary means to an end. Umar (RA) related that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing be upon him) said: "If you really put your trust in Allaah as you should, you would be given provision as the birds are; they go out hungry and come back full." (Tirmidhi)
It grants us peace of mind and being at ease with whatever happens to us of what we consider as evil and it makes us not be amazed and proud with our abilities when that which we want is attained. Allaah says: "No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (AI-Lauh AIMahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah. (We have informed you of this) so that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice (and exult yourselves) because of that which has been given to you. And Allaah likes not prideful boasters. (Q57:22-23)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited