Qadar (قدر)

The sixth article of faith, Qadar (قدر) is, within Islamic reasoning, refering to the concept of predestination. What does that truly mean? How much free will is free will? Are we the masters of our own fate? You will get countless of different opinions on this. In the end, we can only make sense of the world from how we understand it…

سورة الإسراء ٨٥
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

Surah Al-Israa 17:85
They ask thee concerning the Spirit (of inspiration). Say: “The Spirit (cometh) by command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)”

I decided to share my own thoughts on this… make yourself comfortable, the way I understand it is…

In life, we go through certain things, experiences, positive and negative, which, as I tend to say, guides us to the person we are meant to be. Events motivates us to act. And every act has consequences. Those consequences motivate us to take the next step. Each step teaches us new things. We act on inspiration…

سورة الشورى ٥١
وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا

سورة ابراهيم ٣٤
وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا

Surah Ash-Shura 42:51
It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration

Surah Ibrahim 14:34
And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them.

The granting of a wish or a hope, or the rejection and absence of it, further motivates our actions. This also determines the steps we take. Since our lives are somehow mapped out, certain events need to occur to guide our steps…

سورة الحديد ٢٣-٢٢
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

سورة آل عمران ١٤٥
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ

Surah Al-Hadid 57:22-23
No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah:
In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For Allah loveth not any vainglorious boaster,-

Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:145
Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve us with) gratitude.

This shows us that dreams and hopes are granted… most muslims know this but may not actively think about it… so, what we dream or wish for, as I see it, is either granted or destined… or both. Every event is followed either by humble gratitude, or self centered arrogance. The free choice you stand in front of, is what inspirational voice you should listen to. The voice of vanity… or the voice of reason.

سورة النساء ١٢٠
يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ ۖ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا

سورة الأعراف ١٨٦
مَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ ۚ وَيَذَرُهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

Surah An-Nisaa 4:120
Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but satan’s promises are nothing but deception.

Surah Al-A’raaf 7:186
To such as Allah rejects from His guidance, there can be no guide: He will leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.

With these choices just mentioned in mind… we can sum it all up with one single statement…

سورة طه ١٥
إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ

Surah Taa-Haa 20:15
“Verily the Hour is coming – My design is to keep it hidden – for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour.

Some of my thoughts on Qadar… I hope you found this an interesting input and that it brought something to consider.

The best of times to you all inshallah.
Peace, happiness, and stay faithful.