BELIEF IN AL-QADAR & THE GOALS OF ISLAMIC BELIEF –(AQEEDAH)
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA
ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
https://web.facebook.com/abba.abana
Bismillah Walhamdulillah
Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi
Wa-Barakatuhu. Amma ba’d.
Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek
refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds.
Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves
astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear
witness that Muhammad (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is His slave and Messenger.
BELIEF IN AL-QADAR
From the
Book Explaining the Fundamentals of faith – by Shaykh al Uthaymeen
Al-Qadar is Allah’s predestination of measurements and
sustenance of everything and everyone, according to His Knowledge and Wisdom.
Aspects Of Belief
In Al-Qadar
1. Knowledge – The belief that Allah’s Knowledge encompasses
everything, every matter, major or minor, and time frames of everything that
happens in this universe. Allah’s Knowledge encompasses all of His Actions and
actions taken by His slaves.
2. Writing – The belief that Allah recorded everything in a
Book that He kept with Him, called “A1-Lawh’ Al-Mah’foodh” (The Preserved
Book). He said, what translated means, “Know you not that Allah knows all that
is in heaven and on earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book (Al-Lawh’
Al-Mah’footh). Verily, that is easy for Allah.” [Holy Quran Chapter 22:70].
Abdullah-ibn-Amr-ibn-al-Aas (radiyallaahu anhuma) said that
he heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) say, what
translated means, “Allah recorded the measurement of all matters pertaining to
Creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earth.” [Saheeh
Muslim].
3. The belief that nothing, whether related to Allah’s
Actions or actions taken by His slaves, can happen without His Permission. He
said, what translated means, “And your Lord Creates whatsoever He wills and
chooses.” [Holy Quran Chapter 28: 68], “ And Allah does what He will.” [Holy
Quran Chapter 14: 27] and, “He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He
pleases.” [Holy Quran Chapter 3: 6]. As for actions taken by His creation,
Allah said, “Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over you,
and they would have fought you.” [Holy Quran Chapter 4:90] and, “And if Allah
had willed, they would not have done so. So leave them alone with their fabrications.”
[Holy Quran Chapter 6:137].
4. The belief that Allah created all creation, all what they
possess of attributes and all their actions, “Allah is the Creator of all
things, and He is the Guardian over all things.” [Holy Quran Chapter 39:62]
and, “He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its
due measurements.” [Holy Quran Chapter 25: 2]. Also, Abraham said to his
people, as was mentioned in the Qur’aan, “While Allah has created you and what
you make.” [Holy Quran Chapter 37:96].
Believing in the Al-Qadar, as described above, does not mean
that people have no power over the actions they chose to take. Islamic Shari’ah
and Reality confirm that the person has a will of his own:
As for the Shari’ah, Allah said about one’s own will, what
translated means, “So, whosoever wills, let him take a Return to his Lord (by
obeying His Commandments).” [Holy Quran Chapter 78:39] and, “So go to your tilt
(have sexual relations with your wives) when and how you will (not in the
anus).” [Holy Quran Chapter 2:223]. As for one’s own power over his actions,
“So keep your duty to Allah as much as you can; listen and obey.” [Holy Quran
Chapter 64:16] and, “Allah 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.” [Holy Quran Chapter 2:286].
As for the Reality of things, every human knows that he has
a power and a will of his own. He uses his power and will to indulge in or
avoid actions of his choice. Mankind distinguish between what they do by their
own power and between what they have no power over, like shivering due to
illness or extreme cool. However, the power and will of mankind is under the
control of Allah’s Will and Power, “To whomsoever among you who wills to walk
straight. And you will not, unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of the
worlds.” [Holy Quran Chapter 8 1:28-29]. The universe is Allah’s property and
nothing happens in His Kingdom without His Knowledge and Permission.
Belief in Al-Qadar, as explained above, does not provide an
excuse for mankind to sin or abandon what they are obligated to do. This excuse
can be rejected using the following arguments:
1. Allah said, what translated means, “Those who took
partners (in worship) with Allah will say: “If Allah had Willed, we would not
have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would
not have forbidden anything (against His Will). “Likewise bellied those who
were before them, till they tasted of Our Wrath. Say: “Have you any knowledge
(proof) that you can produce before us? Verily, you follow nothing but guess
and you do nothing but lie” [Holy Quran Chapter 6:148]. The disbelievers did
not have a valid excuse when they said that what they did was according to
A1-Qadar. If this excuse was valid, then why will Allah punish them for their
sins?
2. Allah said, what translated means, “Messengers as bearers
of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea
against Allah after the Messengers And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.” [Holy
Quran Chapter 4:165]. Sending down the Messengers took place according to
A1-Qadar, also. This is why the disbelievers cannot use Al-Qadar as an excuse
for not believing, because Al-Qadar provided them with the means to escape
Allah’s punishment by following His Messengers.
3. Ali-ibn-Abi Talib (radiyallaahu anhu) said that the
Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, what translated means, “One’s
final destination, in Hell or Paradise, is already determined for each one of
you.” A man said, “Should we depend (on this fact), O Messenger of Allah
(meaning to abandon working deeds)?” He said, “No. Perform deeds, because
everyone will be helped (to go on the path that he chooses and reach his
destiny).” Then he read the Ayah. “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps
his duty to Allah and fears Him…” [Holy Quran Chapter 92:5].” [Saheeh aL-Bukhari & Saheeh Muslim (the wordings
are by Al-Bukhari)]. Muslim’s narration of this Hadith reads, “All will be
helped to satisfy what they were created for.” The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi
wa-sallam) ordered the companions to perform righteous, good deeds and not to
depend on Al-Qadar.]
4. Allah conveyed His Commandments to His slaves and did not
require them to do what is beyond their capacity. “So keep your duty to Allah
(and fear Him) as much as you can.” [Holy Quran Chapter 64:16], and “Allah
burdens not a person beyond his scope.” [Holy Quran Chapter 2:286]. If the
slave is forced to do whatever deeds he performs, then Allah would have
required from him what is beyond his capacity, and this is a false belief. For
this reason, Allah forgives sins that take place because of ignorance or
forgetfulness.
5. Al-Qadar is a matter of Allah’s Knowledge. No one can
uncover his own Qadar but after it happens. One’s intention to perform a deed
precedes the action itself. He does not know what Al-Qadar holds for him.
Therefore, Al-Qadar is not a valid excuse for sinning and abandoning the
Commandments.
6. One always seeks what is convenient for him. No one of
sane mind would abandon what brings material benefit to him, saying that
Al-Qadar forced him to take this course of action. Therefore, why would one use
Al-Qadar as an excuse for abandoning what brings benefit to him in matters of
religion and not do the same for matters of life?
If a man has to choose between two countries to move to, one
of them is chaotic, full of incidents of murder, looting, rape, insecurity and
hunger. Would he choose to go to this country or would he go to another
country, which is safe for him and secure, with abundance in material joys,
where one’s honor, possessions and human rights are preserved? There is no
doubt that this man would choose the second country, where he will be safe and
secure. No one of sane mind would choose to go to the first country, claiming
that this is his Qadar. Therefore, why would one choose what ends him up in
Hell, rather than Paradise, in the Last Life, claiming that this is his Qadar?
When one is sick and is given a medicine to take, he will
take the medicine even though he does not like its taste. When one is told to
go on a diet, he would not eat the food that he likes, in order to satisfy this
diet and to stay fit. No one of sane mind would refuse to take medicines or go
on medical diets, claiming that this is his Qadar. Therefore, why would one
abandon implementing Allah’s and His Messenger’s Commandments, thus bringing
Allah’s Wrath on him, claiming that this is his Qadar?
7. If one of those, who abandon the Commandments and indulge
in sinning, comes under attack on his honor or possessions, would he accept the
excuse of the attacker, if he says that he attacked him because it was his
Qadar to attack him, and therefore he is not to be blamed? Indeed No!
Therefore, why does this person refuse Al-Qadar as an excuse for whoever
attacked him, while he depends on Al-Qadar as an excuse for abandoning Allah’s
rights on him?
It was reported that Omar ibn Al-Khattab (radiyallaahu anhu)
was brought a man who was caught stealing. Omar ordered that this man’s hand be
cut off. The man said, “Wait, O leader of the believers. I only stole because
this was in the Qadar of Allah.” Omar said, “And we are cutting your hand
because it is in the Qadar of Allah.”
BENEFITS OF BELIEF
IN AL-QADAR
1. Depending on Allah alone when one indulges in any action. Taking the necessary precautions is not the cause of one’s success in the intended actions. All matters are under the full control of the Qadar of Allah.
1. Depending on Allah alone when one indulges in any action. Taking the necessary precautions is not the cause of one’s success in the intended actions. All matters are under the full control of the Qadar of Allah.
2. When one succeeds in performing an action, he must not be
proud of himself. All good deeds are successfully performed because of Allah’s
bounty, because He ordained that this matter to be successful. To be proud will
make one forget to thank Allah for permitting him to successfully perform this
deed.
3. Believing in Al-Qadar leads one to feel satisfied, safe
and secure. All incidents that happen to a person are a result of Allah’s
Qadar. One should not feel miserable for losing or not gaining what he likes.
All this happens according to the Qadar of Allah. Allah is the King and Lord of
the heavens and earth and His Qadar will happen exactly as He Will, “No
calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of
Decrees (Al-Lawh’ Al-Mah’footh), before We bring it into existence. Verily,
that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not be sad over matters that you
fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allah
likes not prideful boasters.” [Holy Quran Chapter 57:22-23]. The Prophet
(sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, what translated means, “Pleasing is the
attitude of the believer. All of his matters are righteous. This is only for
the believer. If a joy is brought to him, he thanks (Allah for it). This is
better for him. If a calamity befalls him, he is patient. This is also good for
him.” [Saheeh Muslim]
Two groups fell into misguidance with regard to Al-Qadar:
1. Al-Jabriyyah – This group claimed that the person is
forced to do whatever he does and that he has no power or will of his own.
2. Al-Qadariyyah – They claimed that the person has a will
and power independent of Allah’s Will and Power.
The Shari’ah and Real Life are used to refute the first
group, Al-Jabriyyah.
As for the Shari’ah, Allah confirmed that humans have a will
and power of their own, ‘Among you are some that desire this world and some
that desire the Hereafter. [Holy Quran Chapter 3:152], “And say: “The Truth is
from your Lord.” Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills,
let him disbelieve. Verily, We have prepared for the unjust, a Fire whose walls
will be surrounding them.” [18:29] and. “Whosoever does righteous, good deeds,
it is for (the benefit of) his own-self and whosoever does evil, it is against
his own-self, and your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves.” [Holy Quran
Chapter 41:46].
As for Real Life, everyone knows the difference between his
actions, like eating, drinking, selling and buying, and between what is beyond
his power, like shivering and accidentally falling off a roof, for example. The
first type of actions are his. He chooses them on his own will using his own
power. The second type of actions are beyond his control.
The Shari’ah and The Mind are also used to refute the second
group, Al-Qadariyyah.
As for the Shari’ah, Allah created everything and nothing
happens without His permission. He said that all actions taken by His slave
happen by His Will, “Allah had willed, succeeding generations would not have
fought against each other, after clear Verses of Allah had come to them, but
they differed, some of them believed and others disbelieved, If Allah had
willed, they would not have fought against one another, but Allah does what He
likes.” [Holy Quran Chapter 2:253] and, “And if We had willed, surely! We would
have given every person his guidance, but the Word from Me took effect (about
evildoers), that I will fill Hell with Jinn and mankind together.” [Holy Quran
Chapter 32:13].
As for The Mind, the universe is Allah’s Kingdom and mankind
are a part of this Kingdom. Therefore, all mankind are owned by Allah. The
slave cannot do anything in this Kingdom unless its Lord, Allah, gives him
permission.
A person’s goals are the destination that he wishes to reach
by taking certain actions. The Islamic ‘Aqeedah (belief) has goals and values
that are the destination of whoever preserves it:
1 – Seeking the Pleasure of Allah and worshipping Him alone.
Allah is the Creator who has no partners. Therefore, He alone must be
worshipped and His Pleasure must be intended by every action one takes.
2 – Freeing the mind from the confusion caused by not
following this ‘Aqeedah. Whoever does not believe in this ‘Aqeedah is either an
atheist who is worshipping material means or is a follower of misguidance and
darkness caused by false beliefs.
3 – Gaining psychological and intellectual satisfaction. The
ones who believe in this ‘Aqeedah do not fall victim to psychological complexes
or confusion. This ‘Aqeedah builds a direct and strong relationship between the
Lord and His salve. The believer accepts Allah as the Lord, the Legislator and
The King. He is satisfied with this belief. His heart is pleased with the
following of Islam and he would not exchange this pleasure for anything else.
4 – Purifying one’s intentions and deeds. This ‘Aqeedah
protects one from falling into misguidance in acts of Worship or in dealings
with others. It requires its followers to follow the path set by the
Messengers. This path leads to Safety and Purity in the hearts and actions.
5 – Being serious with regards to all matters. One does not
pass the chance to do righteous, good deeds, but he takes any chance to gain
Allah’s rewards. One is always on his guard against any path that leads to sin,
fearing Allah’s punishment. This ‘Aqeedah requires its followers to believe in
the Resurrection and the Day of Reckoning, “(For all there will be degrees (or
ranks) according to what they did. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do
” [Holy Quran Chapter 6:132].
The Prophet also encouraged this attitude, “The strong
believer is better and more liked by Allah than the weak believer. However, each
one of them has (a certain degree of) goodness. Seek what brings benefit to you
and depend on Allah. Do not be weak if any calamity befalls you, do not say:
‘Had I done that, then this would not have happened.’ Only say: ‘Allah has
ordained (this matter) and whatever He will He does.’ “Had I,” opens the door
wide for the Devil to do his work” [Saheeh Muslim]
6 – Establishing a strong nation that strives to preserve
its religion and solidify its gains. This nation disregards the losses it
concurs while striving to preserve the religion. Allah said, what translated
means, “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His
Messenger, and afterwards doubt not but strive with their wealth and their
lives for the cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful” [Holy Quran Chapter
49:15].
7 – Reaching happiness in this life and in the Last Life, by
leading individuals and groups to guidance and gaining their Lord’s bounties
and good rewards, “Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while
he (or she) is a true believer (in Allah) verily, to him We will give a good
ljfe (in this world), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to
the best of what they used to do (Paradise in the Hereafter).” [Holy Quran
Chapter 16:97].
These are some of the goals that Islam seeks for its
followers to reach. We pray that Allah helps us and the rest of Muslims to
reach them.
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