The Benefits Of Believing In

QADAR (PREDESTINATION) We have explained above that the belief in qadar (predestination) brought by Islam is free from the weakness, laziness and apathy that have affected a large part of the Muslim ummah down through the ages in the name of belief in qadar. The cause of that has been the deviation of the Muslims from a proper understanding of the concept of qadar (predestination). Whoever ponders the belief in qadar (predestination) as brought by Islam will find that it has many great benefits which led and still lead to the reform of the individual and of the ummah. We will describe below some of these benefits of belief m predestination (qadar) that we have learned from this study: 1 Belief in Qadar (Predestination) is a Means - of Ridding Oneself of Shirk Many philosophers have claimed that good comes from Allah, the All-Glorious, and that evil is the creation of other gods; they said this in order to avoid attributing evil to Allah. 1 The Magians (Zoroastrians) claimed that Light was the creator of good, and Darkness was the creator of evil. Those among this ummah who claimed that Allah does not create the deeds of His slaves, or that He does not create the misguided deeds, are claiming that there are creators other than Allah. 1 Shifaa ' al- 'Alee/, p. 1 4.

Perfect Taw�eed (belief in the Oneness of the only God - Allah) is not attained except by those who affrrm that Allah Alone is the Creator of everything in the universe, and that His will prevails over His creation - what He wills happens and what He does not will does not happen. All of those who do not believe in qadar do not believe truly that their Lord is One and Alone ( Taw�eed) and do not acknowledge Him properly. Belief in predestination (qadar) is what marks the difference between Taw�eed and shirk. The one who believes in qadar affrrms that this universe and everything in it was created by One God; those who do not believe this imply that there are other gods and lords besides Allah. 2 Adhering to the True Path During Both - Times of E ase and Times of Difficulty Because of their shortcomings and weaknesses, people cannot always adhere to the straight path. Allah (�), says: � \�\!)/ � � >./ ��ll t:_; \�Il � 'It&!

'J?. ./"" � k� -:. ". 1t �,/·"]\ �\• $. � � .:f-l, � '¥ 1' ,i. � � �ii � l � � �� -- _h; L\ ""\ ./ / :r-" . �Verily, man [disbeliever] was created very impatient; Irritable [discontented] when evil touches him; And niggardly when good touches him. Except those who are devoted to $alaah [prayers].� (Qur 'an 70: 19-22) Belief in qadar makes a person persist in his adherence to the straight path, so that he is not reckless at times of ease, and does not fall into despair when calamity strikes, for he knows that everything good that happens to him comes from Allah, and is not because of his intelligence or good planning: �And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah .. ) (Qur 'an 1 6: 53) He is not like Qaaroon (Korah) who showed off before his people and arrogantly displayed before them the treasures and wealth that Allah had bestowed upon him. �Verily, Qaaroon [Korah] was of Moosa's [Moses] people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: 'Do not exult [with riches, being ungrateful to Allah].

Verily, Allah likes not those who exult [with riches, being ungrateful to Allah]. 'But seek, with that [wealth] which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidoon [those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters]. ' He said: 'This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess . . .' � (Qur 'an 28: 7678) And when trials and tribulations befall a person, he knows that this is happening by the decree of Allah, as a test from Him, so he does not panic or despair, rather he seeks the reward of Allah and bears it with patience, and this faith brings contentment and tranquillity to the heart of the believer. .- � �I -� ·q ']" .:.-j\ 0 � � .::,\j \:; :i.._"!' � � � i.:f'· ..J � ,. • ,,, ·. · • i.r- .J' / � � . - / • � ,,,. ,,,, ,,,, ;'" i•"t .!('-:;� � � r-- '.r' ill - tfAA, J> ,, ...ti u- %?' -&.. / !fa. uj r..!;-"f' i;: �S ii� t.r·� / I� / . � @ . . . �b�\ � � );:� ']_; �No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees [Al-Lau/; al-Ma/Jfoo!?] before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.

In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you . . . � (Qur 'an 5 7: 22-23) And Allah praised His slaves, IJ � cl.:tl� � � ) ( ,J 1� ��,IJ � u�_; ( ,,.Ji,, �,j,. r�� � 'J" � . A� � >-:.",,..� 1�1 0:'.,, " � Jr :i.."f' • ... • , � e �_,.i::..�j' � �ji) L.;.;.; �1 � �� 1�!1' �Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: 'Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. ' They are those on whom are the Salawaat [i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven] from their Lord, and [they are those who] receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones) (Qur 'an 2: 1 56-157) 3 The One Who Believes in Qadar - is Always Careful Those who believe in qadar are always careful, for: � $ 0�1 r_;ii1 -Ii �' � t;:t � . � . . � . . . None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers) (Qur 'an 7: 99). People's hearts are always turning over and changing, for their hearts are between two of the fingers of A r-Ra/J,maan (Allah, the All­ Merciful), Who turns them over as He wills, and the trials which are sent against people's hearts are many.

The believer is always careful lest there come to him something which will lead him astray, just as he always fears that his final actions may be bad. This does not make him lazy and apathetic, rather it motivates him to strive persistently to follow the straight path, to do many righteous deeds and to avoid sins and punishable deeds. And the believer's heart is always attached to its Creator, calling upon Him, putting its hope in Him, seeking His help and asking Him to make it adhere fmnJy to the straight path, and to be guided aright. 4 Facing Difficulties and D angers - with a Strong Heart When a person believes that everything that happens is decreed, and that provision and lifespans are in the hand of Allah, then he can confront difficulties and ordeals with a strong heart and with his head held high. This belief was one of the greatest motives which spurred the mujaahideen (warriors in the way of Allah) to acts of courage on the battlefield without feeling scared. They would seek death wherever they could find it, throwing themselves into dangerous situations where they thought they would be killed.

Then you would find one of them later on, dying in his own bed (of natural causes); he would weep for not having fallen in battle as a shaheed (martyr) even though he exposed himself to dangers. This belief is one of the greatest sources of strength for the righteous in confronting evildoers and tyrants. For the sake of Allah, they do not fear the blame of any man, because they know that the matter is in the hand ofAllah, and whatever He decreed for them would come to them. They were not afraid to speak the word of truth lest their provision be cut off, for provision is in the hand of Allah. Whatever provision Allah has decreed for His slave cannot be withheld from anyone, and whatever Allah withholds from His slave, none can cause it to reach him.

Al J 'tiqaad Wal Hidayah Ila Sabeel ar-Rishaad: Daar al-Aafaq al Jadeedah, Beirut 1 st ed. 1 40 1 H/1 98 1 . Jaami ' alU$ool; Ibn al-Atheer: edited by: Shu 'aib al-Arnaaoot. Maktabah al-lfalwani and others. 1 392 H/1 972. Sunan Abi Dawood: edited by: Muhammad MuQ.iyuddin 'Abdul I:Iameed, Al Maktabah at-Tijaariyah, Cairo. Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Daar Il;iya 'at Toraath al- 'Arabi, Beirut.

Sharl; U$OOl J 'tiqaad Ahl as-Sunnah wal Jamaa 'ah : 'Abul Qasim Habbatullah ibn al-I:Iusayn at-Tabari al-Lalka'ee, Daar Taiba, Riyadh. Sharl; al- 'Aqeedah, A l-Maktab al-lslami: Beirut 4th ed. 1 39 1 H. Sharl; Al-Nawawi 'Ala $af;eel; Muslim, A l-Ma(baa ' al Mi$riyah wa Maktabaatuha, Cairo. Ash-Sharee 'ah : A l-Aajurri, Daar al Kutub al 'Jlmiyah, Beirut 1 st ed. 1 403 H/ 1 983. Shifa ' al- 'Alee/: Ibn al-Qayyim, Daar al-Kitaab al- 'Arabi, Egypt. $al;eel; Al-Bukhari: Relied on the text of Fat}; al-Baari, Taha 'ah Salafiyah. $al;eel; al-Jaami ' a$-$agheer: edited by: Muhammad Naa�iruddeen al-Albaani, Al Maktabah al lslami, Beirut. $af;eel; Sunan Al-Tirmidhi: edited by Shaykh Naa�iruddin al­ Albaani, Maktab at-Tarbiyah al- 'Arabi, Riyadh. 1 st ed. 1 408 HI 1 988.

Sa!J,ee}J, Muslim: edited by Muhammad Fuwad 'Abdul Baqee, Daar J}J,yah Torath, Beirut 2nd ed. 1 972. Al 'Aqeedah at-Ta}J,aawiyah, Sharl}, wa Ta 'aleeq: Ash-Shaykh Naa�iruddin al-Albaani, A l-Maktab al-Islami, Beirut 1 st ed. 1 398H I 1 978. Fat}J, al-Baari: lbn I:Jajar, Tab 'ah as-Salafia, Cairo. A l-Farq Bayn A l-Firaq: ' Abdul Qaahir ibn Tahir as-Safareenee Daar al-Ma 'arifah, Beirut A l-Qaamoos al-Mu}J,eet: Feerozabadi, A r-Risa/ah Est., Beirut 1 st ed. 1 406 H. Lawamey ' al-Anwar al-Baheeyah, Safareenee, State of Qatar.

A n-Nihaayah fl Ghareeb al-Hadith : lbn al-Atheer, Maktabat al­ Jslamiyah, Beirut. Majmoo ' al-Fataawa Shaikh al-Islam : lbn Taymiyah, Jam'a ibn Qasim, Saudi Arabia. Mishkaat al-Ma�aabee}J,: Khateeb at-Tabraizee, edited by: Shaykh Muhammad Naa�iruddin al-Albaani, Maktab al-Islami, Beirut 1 3 83/ 1 962. Ma 'arij al-Qubool bi Sharl}, Silm al Wu�ool ila 'Jim al-U�ool Fit­ Taw}J,eed: Alµnad H:�afi� I:Jukmee, Ar-Ri'asah al ' Ilmiyah, Jdarat al Bu}J,ooth, Riyadh. Ma 'alim as-Sunan : Khattaabi, 'Ala Mukhtasar Sunan A bi Dawood, Mundhiree, As-Sunnah al Mu}J,ammadiah, Publications 1 369H/ 1 950.

A l-Mufridaat fl Ghareeb al-Qur 'an: Raaghib al Iifahani, edited by: Muhammad Syed Keelani, Shirkah Maktabah wa Matha 'ah Mu�tafa al-Babi al-lfalbi, Egypt 1 3 8 1 H I 1 96 1 C. A l-Mila/ Wan-Na}J,al: Shahrastani, Darul Maa 'rifah, Beirut 2nd ed. 1 395H I l 975C. Al- 'Aalameen �WI : The worlds (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Aayah �T Plural aayaat; verse of the Quran. A}J,aadeeth �.)L>i Sing. lfadeeth, the Prophet's sayings.

Ahl as-Sunnah Li i �i People of Sunnah, group of Muslims adhering strictly to the Sunnah of the Prophet. A l-Muttaqoon* .:,p l Sing. Muttaqui. The pious, the d*iful. Al-Qadeer .r..WI The All-Powerful; An Attributive name of Allah.

AtTaqwa ..s_,A:l l Piety, righteousness. Bid 'ah �.L A reprehensible innovation m religion, heresy. Eemaan .)� : Faith. Fitrah •fa The natural inclination of mankind. Fujjaar .) w .

Sing. Faajir, criminals, disbelievers, the wicked. lfalaal J ')I.>. Lawful, as per Islamic law. lfaneef � Pure monotheist. lfaraam r 1.;> Unlawful (in Shariah). * Subjective case of al-Muttaqeen. Jabr Forcing, compelling. Kaafir Disbeliever.

Kufr Disbelief. Lay/at al-Qadr )...ll l ill . The Night of Decree (in which the Quran was revealed and it is in the month of Ramac;lan, most likely one of the odd last ten nights of it). Masaakeen Sing. Miskeen; poor.

Mufassireen * * Sing. Mufassir; the text of the Quran. Mufsidoon* Sing. Mufsid. Wrongdoers, those who associate partners in worship with Allah and commit crimes.

Mubsinoon* IJ_,:..JSing. Mubsin, Good-doers. Mujrimoon* IJ.Y'ASing. Mujrim, criminals, polytheists and disbelievers. Munaafiqeen * * � l;..

Sing. Munaafiq. Hypocrites. Mushrikeen* * � · . .r° Sing. Mushrik, polytheists.

Mustababb � Recommended, preferred. Qadar ;.U Divine Preordainrnents of all things before their creation as written in the Book of Decrees - Al-Laub al­ MabfC!.o� (The Preserved Tablet). * Subjective case of Mufsideen, Muhsineen, Mujrimeen - respectively ** Objective case of Mufassiroon, Munafiqoon, Mushrikoon - respectively Qudrah i.)..U Power. Rabb '-:'.) Lord. Sustainer, Ruler, Master. Salaam i 'j..,.

Peace. Salaah •')I... Prayer: (obligatory and optional). Shaheed � Martyr, dying for the Cause of Allah. Shayaateen �l:-!- Sing.

Shaytaan; devils. Shirk !.I� Polytheism, associating partner with Allah. Taqdeer J'..I.A; Destiny. Taw�eed .I.> . Y• Oneness of Allah.

Umm al-Kitaab '-:' \.:SJ I i I The Mother of the Book, name of the 1 st chapter of the Quran (surah alFaati�ah); the Preserved Tablet. Waajib � IJ Obligatory. Wa�y �J Revelation. Zakaah i\Sj I •§j Obligatory annual alm. Zina l;j Adultery and fornication.

(�) : Sub"IJ,aanahu wa Ta 'aala - "The Exalted. " (�) : Salla-Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam - "Blessings and Peace be upon him . " (g ) : 'A layhis-Salaam - "May Peace b e upon him ." (. ) : Ra<f.i-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah b e pleased with him ." surah No./Name A ayah No. I Page No. 1 - Al-Faati�ah 2-5/83, 5/84 2 - Al-Baqarah 1 1 7/37, 253/46, 1 36, 1 97/1 06, 286/ 1 1 9, 1 85/ 1 34, 1 56/ 1 1 6, 1 56-1 57/ 142 3 - Aal- 'Jmraan 1 20/89, 1 86/1 1 3, 97/ 1 2 1 4 - An-Nisaa ' 1148, 79/87,90 78-79/88,70, 78/89, 65/ 1 1 8, 26-28/1 34 5 - Al-Maa 'idah 48/ 46, 6/1 34 6 - Al-Ana 'am 1 48/32, 1 38, 28/39. 1 1 1 146, 1 1 2/46, 39/46, 35/ 47, 1 07/47, 1 148, 1 25/ 1 36 7 - Al-A 'raaf 1 78/49, 1 72/53, 1 72-173/54, 1 68/89, 1 28/ 1 07, 99/1 43 8 - Al-Anfaal 42/2 1 , 23/40, 60/1 06 10 - Yunus 99/47, 1 01168, 24/ 1 09 1 1 - Hood 1 23/84, 20/ 1 1 9, 34/ 1 36 1 2 - Yusuf 90/ 1 1 3 1 3 - Ar-Ra 'd 39/84, 85 15 - Al-lfijr 21126, 86/48, 39/ 1 1 7 16 - An-Na�/ 1 25/50, 53/1 40 18 - Al-Kah/ 10111 1 9, 39/ 1 3 6 19 - Maryam 21136, 71137 20 - Ta-ha 12111 1 5 2 1 - Al-Anbiyaa 33/48, 23/62, 1 26, 1 27, 1 30, 1 07/66 22 - Al-lfajj 70/44 23 - Al-Mu 'minoon 1 1 5/66, 55/9 1 25 - Al-Furqaan 2122, 45/47, 2/1 3 1 2 8 - Al-Qa�a� 84/90, 1 5/8 1 , 79/ 1 03 , 76-78/ 1 4 1 32 - As-Sajdah 7/67 33 - Al-A/Jzaab 38/2 1 , 1 3 1 , 33/ 1 35 34 - Saba ' 3/39, 54/1 1 0 35 - Faatir 1 1 /49 36 - Yaa-seen 1 2/44, 82/35, 8 1/36, 1-9/79, 1-7/8 1 , 8-9/82, 91 0/82, 20/1 02, 9/1 20 3 7 - A�-$aaffaat 96/49, 52/37, 1 03/1 03 38 - Saad 27-28/95, 28/ 1 22 39 - Az-Zumar 62/47 40 - Ghaafir/Al-Mu 'min 60/ 1 06, 55/1 1 6, 4 1 - Fu��i/at 1 2/36, 53/68 43 - Az-Zukhraf 4/45, 1 -4/72 44 - Ad-Dukhaan 3-5/57 45 - Al-Jaathiyah 2 1 / 1 22 46 - Al-A!Jqaaf 33/24 47 - Muhammad 24/68 5 1 - Adh-Dhaariyaat 56/65 52 - A tToor 1 -3/45 53 - An-Najm 32/39 54 - Al-Qamar 49/2 1 , 48-49/22, 55/24, 52/49 55 - Ar-Ra!Jmaan 29/57 57 - Al-lfadeed 2 1 / 1 28, 22-23/1 42 58 - Al-Mujadilah 4/1 2 1 59 - Al-lfashr 22/38 62 - Jumu 'ah 1 0/1 05 64 - At-Taghaabun 2/ 1 27 65 - At-Talaaq 1 2/38, 7/1 1 9 67 - Al-Mulk 14/43, 15/ 1 06 68 - Qalam 35-36/1 23 70 - Al-Ma 'aarij 19-22/140 7 1 - Nool). 3-4/85 75 - Al-Qiyaamah 36/65 80 - 'A basa 24-26/68 8 1 - At-Takweer 29/45 85 - Al-Buruj 21-22/44 87 - Al-A 'alaa 1 -3/22, 46 88 - Al-Ghaashiyah 1 7/68 9 1 - Ash-Shams 8-1 0/59, 7-8/76 92 - Al-Lail 1-10/52, 5-1 0/84 1 1 1 - Al-Lahb/Masad 1 12 23 - Alfu 'minoon t\\)\ih\)\� -\h - 8c 1, 1 8 JC r , 1 -1 1 1 · u \.1\. - �o .7 67 \S: I\! t\ut\nt)t\-s\l\ -\}>.. - � ' " 3 - Al-A zaah \)\)\)\n1-. - co 4 - 'aba ' i\\lM-\h - to 3- • aapr mn\tl<.;} - o , , 9t �ooi.1 - I I 37 - A:>- aa '(lat t\n1 \\)W�)Q-\h - C\ - aad 21-2 i o�· - oa 9· - "'-Zumar 2 47 · � mn'i-\ - J8 .. Ghaa. :r/AI t-u u·,ua-\h - c8 4 1 - Fr� ilat .L t-l �\l\n' -\ - \8 43 "' wiuf!.h a( 80\ l t\n\f.i i\1.nn1\o-\l\ - 88 - Ad-Dukhuan 3 { 'f 8-t ,Q?. 01-8 ?,"\\)t\l.-t\?.h - t Q 5 ..

Al-Jaathiyah '"' -\h - s:e - Al-Ahqaaf S:\ l \)\)?.\) ll. (\t\ .l-\ - ll[ 47 - 1u ma 2 6 5 l - Adh hamiyaat S6 '52 - t-11' or 1 -3 . 53 - . n�Mrjm 32/39 ( 54 - /. amar · 4912 l , 4 " 5 - Ar'-Ra�1 nam 2 157 BOOK CHAPTER I BAAB NO.

Muslim Kitaab al-Eemaan 9 2 1 , 29 Kitaab al-Qadar 4799 22 Kitaab al-Qadar 4800 23 Kitaab al-Qadar 4797 43 Kitaab al-Qadar 4788 50 Kitaab al-Qadar 4786 51 Kitaab al-Qadar 479 1 59 Kitaab al-Qadar 4790 75 Kitaab al-Jannah. .. 5 1 09 68 Kitaab al-Qadar 48 1 6 1 14 Kitaab al-Qadar 4795 1 15 Tirmidhi Kitaab al-Qadar 2059 27, 64 Kitaab al-Qadar 2082 43 Kitaab al-Qadar 208 1 43, 56 Kitaab al-Qadar 206 1 38 Kitaab al-Eemaan 2566 55 Kitaab al-Qadar 2067 55, 59 Kitaab al-Qadar 2078 55, 7 1 Kitaab al-Qadar 2079 55, 72 Bukhari Kitaab at-Tibb 5288 28 Kitaab al-Qadar 6 1 08 40 Kitaab al-Qadar 6 1 07 51 Kitaab Bad ' al-Khalq 2969 58 Kitaab al-Qadar 6 1 06 58 Kitaab al-Maghaazi 3885 59 Kitaab al-Qadar 61 17 60 Kitaab al-Adab 5526 84 Kitaab al-Jumu 'ah 1 050 121 Abu Dawood Kitaab as-Sunnah 408 1 53 Kitaab as-Sunnah 407 1 71 Kitaab as-Sunnah 4077 76 AJ:imad Musnad Bani Hashim 2327 54 Musnad al-Qabaa 'ii 262 1 6 55 Musnad al-Mukaththireen . . . 5327 71 Ibn Maajah Kitaab al-Muqaddamah 1 98 57 Note: The above given reference nos. of hadith are from the CD programme "Hadith Encyclopedia " by Har/ Information Technology. . I a LS - T aa '--' b u t 0 h or t (when followed by another Arabic word) ._:., th c J c Q kh c .) d .) dh J r J z � s � � sh � � � <;l .1 t .1 ? ' t gh t w f "-' q .:.\ k J I i m 0 n <\.._ - 0 - __It, h J w J (as vowel) 00 � y � (as vowel) ee ' � (Omitted in initial position) ,,,, Fat]:iah a Kasra 1 ,,,, j. Oammah u ... Shaddah Double letter 0 Sukoon Absence of vowel which is directly relevant to the day-to-day life of