What Is Qadr (Destiny) in Islam? Simple Explanation – Muslim and Quran
Qadr, sometimes also written as “Qadar”, is a highly significant element of faith in Islam. It is one of the six pillars or essentials of faith. Generally, the term Qadr is translated as “Destiny”, but it covers a broader concept in Islamic theology. It should not be confused with Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree described in Surah Al-Qadr.
Islam, being the ultimate and complete religion, provides all the necessary spiritual guidance, in addition to guidance for living a righteous worldly life. The concept of Qadr provides spiritual guidance for humanity. Belief in Qadr (destiny) includes complete and unwavering belief that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is “All-Knowing”, which further means that He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen, and that nothing can happen or occur in the universe without His knowledge and decree. That’s where the concept of Qadr is often misunderstood, especially by non-Muslims. A general question is often raised: if everything happens with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, what choice is left for humans, or, in that case, do humans have the option of free will? That’s why understanding the concept of Qadr and its implications for human life is very important.
Qadr (Destiny) In Islam – The Four Levels
Linguistically, the Arabic word Qadr (القدر) translates to destiny, predestination, or decree. In Islamic terminology, it refers to the decree of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, which includes His knowledge of all things, His recording of them, His will, and His creation of them. It is closely linked to His attribute “All-Knowing”, which translates to “Al-Aleem” (العليم). According to Islamic belief, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ knows everything, past, present, and future. It also implies that nothing in this universe can happen without the knowledge and decree of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
According to Islamic belief, Qadr or divine decree covers four important matters, as follows:
- Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰknows everything in complete detail, including His actions and the actions of humans, as mentioned in the 70th verse of Surah Al-Hajj (quoted under point 2). The Quran also tells us, in the 49th verse of Surah Al-Qamar, that everything is created according to a decree.
Translation – We have created everything in a determined measure (according to a decree).
- Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰhas recorded all these details in Lauh-e-Mehfooz (the Book of Divine Decree), as mentioned in the 70th verse of Surah Al-Hajj.
Translation – Are you not aware that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and the earth? Surely it is all preserved in a Book. Indeed that is easy with Allah.
As narrated in Hadith 2653b of Sahih Muslim, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ had recorded the decree of creation fifty thousand years before creating the earth and heavens.
Translation – Allah ordained the measures (of quality) of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, as His Throne was upon water.
- Whatever happens in the universe can only happen with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, including Hisactions and the actions of His creations, as mentioned in the 68th verse of Surah Al-Qasas.
Translation – Your Lord creates what He will and chooses (for His tasks) whomsoever He will.
The 29th verse of Surah At-Takwir also makes clear that human will works within the will of Allah:
Translation (Sahih International) – And you do not will except that Allah wills – Lord of the worlds.
- Everything that happens in the universe is created by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, in their essence, attributes, and movements. It is mentioned in the 62ndverse of Surah Az-Zumar.
Translation – Allah is the Creator of everything; He is the Guardian over everything.
Believing in Qadr means that Allah knows everything, including what we will choose and do, while also realizing that we have the option of choices for which we are accountable. For example, when one chooses honesty and remains consistent in prayer, he does it by his own choice. Likewise, if the same person adopts corrupt practices and does not maintain Salah, he is doing so by his own choice. So, Qadr cannot be presented as an excuse for wrongdoings, which we commit by our own choice.
The Importance Of Believing In Qadr In Islam
Belief in Qadr is the 6th of the six essentials of Islamic faith, which, in the order mentioned in the hadith, are:
- Belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ
- Belief in Angels
- Belief in Divine Books
- Belief in Prophets and Messengers of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ
- Belief in the Day of Judgment
- Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree), both good and evil
Firmly believing in all six elements of faith is also mentioned in Hadith 8a of Sahih Muslim. So, being one of the essential elements of faith, believing in Divine Decree (Qadr) holds great spiritual significance in Islam.
Qadr And Free Will
A very important question about Qadr in Islam is: if everything happens with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, does an individual have free will, or does he not have a choice of adopting one way or another?
Islamic teachings are quite clear on this sensitive issue. Islam teaches us that although Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has knowledge of everything happening, and He has also recorded it in the Book of Decree (Lauh-e-Mehfooz), choice is still with humans. Islam has provided the required guidance for humankind about right and wrong. Islam also teaches us what is permissible and what is not permissible for an individual. But the choice is left with humans; they have free will to either follow the right way or the wrong way. This human will still works within the will of Allah, as explained under point 3 above. For example, Islam teaches us to establish prayer, give zakat, and fast in the month of Ramadan, but following these practices is left to the choice of the individual.
On the other hand, Islam teaches us not to commit an action or deed that is declared a sin in Islamic teachings. Again, it is up to the choice of the individual whether to refrain from such practices or indulge in such sinful activities.
Believing in Qadr does not mean that one should sit idle and leave everything to Divine Decree. The spirit of the concept of Qadr is that a believer should follow the right way and refrain from wrong, believing that He knows what we are doing. Although Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ knows what way an individual would follow, the choice is with that individual, as He has provided all the guidance to His servants.
The concept is described in the 39th verse of Surah An-Najm:
Translation – and that man shall have nothing but what he has striven for.
Qadr Does Not Stop Us From Working Hard To Live a Righteous Life
In the 286th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, it is mentioned that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ does not burden an individual beyond his abilities.
Translation – Allah does not burden any human being with a responsibility heavier than he can bear.
It means that while Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ wants humans to strive for the righteous life, the magnitude of their struggle always remains achievable. It also implies that the righteous way is well within the capacity of humans, and that they have the free will to adopt it or to follow the wrong ways of life.
The concept is further made clear in Hadith 2664 of Sahih Muslim, as follows:
Translation – A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that which He had ordained to do and your “if” opens the (gate) for the Satan.
Conclusion
Qadr, the destiny or the Divine Decree, is one of the core beliefs of Islamic faith. It requires a believer to have complete faith in the concept that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is All-Knowing, and He has recorded everything that would happen, and what every individual would commit in their lives in this world. But the essence of believing in Qadr is that humans have been guided about good and bad, right and wrong, and that the option of choosing between good and bad, or between right and wrong, is left up to the choice of humankind. The destiny of an individual, although recorded in the Book of Decree by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, does not force that individual; each person still makes real choices and is accountable for them. We can also rely on supplication so Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ may bless us with the ability to choose the right way.
FAQs
1. What does the term Qadr refer to in Islam?
Qadr means Divine Decree or destiny in Islamic teachings. It includes believing in Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ absolute knowledge of everything, the recording of His decree in the Book of Decree, His will, and His creation of all things.
2. Is believing in Qadr one of the pillars of Islamic faith?
Yes, belief in Qadr is the sixth article of faith (Iman), as mentioned in Hadith 8a of Sahih Muslim.
3. Does Qadr mean humans have no free will?
No. Islam teaches that Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ knowledge and decree encompass everything, while human beings have the option to choose their preferred path based on their will.
4. Can Dua change destiny?
Dua is a powerful tool of seeking Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ help and protection. Scholars explain that supplication and its effects are themselves encompassed by Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ decree, so there is no contradiction between dua and destiny. Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah explains that supplication can be a cause that prevents harm, just as a shield stops an arrow.
5. How should we react when something bad happens?
We need to practice patience, seek Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ help, make sincere Dua, continue making physical efforts to resolve the problem, and leave the outcome to Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Will and Command.
