Understanding Divine Decree (Qadar)
Learn about Qadar — Allah's divine decree and predestination.
Belief in Qadar (Divine Decree) is the sixth article of faith in Islam. It means believing that everything that happens — good or bad — is by Allah's knowledge, will, and decree. Allah knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. He recorded everything in the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz) before creation. Allah wills everything that occurs, and He creates everything. However, humans have free will — we make choices, but Allah knows what we will choose. The four levels of Qadar are: 1. Knowledge (Allah knows everything), 2. Writing (Allah wrote everything in the Preserved Tablet), 3. Will (Allah wills everything that happens), 4. Creation (Allah creates everything). Believing in Qadar brings peace — we don't worry about what we can't control, and we trust Allah's wisdom. The Prophet ﷺ said: If something befalls you, don't say: If only I had done such and such. Rather say: Qadarallahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala — Allah decreed and He does what He wills. The Prophet ﷺ also said: Seek what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and don't lose heart.
Qur'an Verses
إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ
Inna kulla shay'in khalaqnahu bi-qadar
Translation: Indeed, all things We created with predestination.
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said: If something befalls you, don't say: If only I had done such and such. Rather say: Qadarallahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala (Allah decreed and He does what He wills). He also said: Seek what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and don't lose heart.
Explanation
This hadith teaches the balance between Qadar and human effort. We should seek what benefits us and work hard, but accept what Allah has decreed without saying 'if only.'
Belief in Qadar (Divine Decree) is the sixth article of faith. Everything happens by Allah's knowledge and will, but we still have free will to make choices. Trusting Allah's decree brings peace and contentment.
- 1.What is Qadar?
- 2.What are the four levels of Qadar?
- 3.What should we say when something bad happens?
1. Should we lose heart?
2. What does Qadarallahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala mean?
3. Is there wisdom in what Allah decrees?
4. Is belief in Qadar an article of faith?
5. What is the fourth level of Qadar?
6. Did Allah write everything before creation?
7. Does Allah know everything?
8. What is Qadar?
9. Should we say 'if only I had done differently'?
10. What is the first level of Qadar?
11. Should we seek help from Allah?
12. If something bad happens, what should we say?
13. What is the second level of Qadar?
14. Should we accept Allah's decree?
15. What is the Preserved Tablet called?
16. Can we change Allah's decree?
17. Did Allah create everything with Qadar?
18. Does Qadar bring peace?
19. What does Mashi'ah mean?
20. What do we learn from Qadar?
21. Should we seek what benefits us?
22. Should we worry about what we can't control?
23. What does Ilm mean in relation to Qadar?
24. Do humans have free will?
25. What is the third level of Qadar?
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