Faith in the Predestination (Qadar)

“Indeed, all things We created with predestination.” ¹⁴
(The Holy Qur’an)

Allah (swt), who created everything out of nothing, aimed to create everything of all times in the universe according to a cause-effect relation so that the human, equipped with outstanding qualities such as mind, will understand the wisdom and truth behind the creation more easily. In this respect, if a person carefully observes and contemplates on the universe, they will see that a perfect balance and order, in other words the predestination, rules the universe rather than chaos. This situation indicates the existence of an Almighty Creator.

Faith in predestination (qadar) is one of the six articles of faith in Islam. It means believing that whatever happens in the universe whether good or bad, right or wrong, alive or dead, beneficial or in vain happens within the knowledge, and by the wish, power, appreciation and creation of Allah.

There are situations in life that go beyond humans and cannot be interfered. For example, one does not have the chance to choose their family, ethnicity, color, or sex. These are determined in a divine way, and it is called “qadar.”

On the other hand, people have a role on the occurrence of some events whether good or bad. Allah gave people a place to live and right to choose a certain degree from His limitless property. Human has the will that enables them to make a good or evil deed. In such cases, what Allah grants with them changes according to the effort and decision of the human. Therefore, the precautions and choices that humans make are also a part of their qadar.

Whatever will happen in the universe is known and recorded by Allah from all eternity. Allah knows what we will live and what we will choose even before we were created with His eternal and everlasting wisdom. However, it does not mean that Allah forces humans, and wafts them just like a dried leaf caught up in the wind. The fact that Allah knows what is going to happen beforehand does not eliminate the responsibility of people. For instance, when a person steals something, they do it deliberately and willingly not because Allah knew that they would steal but because they chose the evil option. Therefore, people bear the consequences of their choices and bad deeds.

What makes humans happy or miserable in this world and the Hereafter is their personal acts and behaviors. The important thing for humans is to lead their will in the right path and not do evil deeds. Because everyone bears the consequences of their choices, and no one can be freed of responsibilities by attributing everything to qadar.

A human believing in qadar accepts that the true actor is Allah. The prophet Muhammad (saw) outlines it as follows: “And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. In this matter, the pens were lifted (do not write new things), the pages dried (do not change).” ¹⁵

A person with faith in qadar knows that rain falls only under certain physical conditions. However, raining is not limited to the occurrence of some natural causes. Going beyond the visible reasons, the Muslim believes that rain comes through the means created by Allah. The last decision, command, will and creation belongs to Allah without a shadow of a doubt.

Islam does not have such an understanding of qadar as being successful without making any efforts, waiting things to be realized by Allah only, and thus, appointing Allah as an agent for their works. The Muslim believing in qadar fulfills their responsibilities properly. They act in a decisive, compassionate and patient way. After referring to every material and non-material reason and taking every precaution required, they trust Allah (swt) for the rest.