. J ; ; ;J; : ,;I•; (cont.)

Therefore, instead of becoming full of himself and arrogant upon reaching his goal, the person who truly believes in al-Qadar becomes very thankful to Allah for bringing about that blessing. 2 ( 4) The proper belief in al-Qadar brings about tranquillity and peace of mind. The person realizes that everything that occurs is according to Allah's Divine Decree. Furthermore, there is a wisdom behind everything Allah does. Hence, if the person loses a beloved or something of this world, he does not go insane, despair or give up hope. Instead, he realizes that such was the will of Allah that he must accept. He must also realize that such has occurred for a purpose. It did not occur haphazardly or accidentally, without any reason behind it. Allah has said, l"/• . _::. .__ •/mb J I " (' 'd -j -.;Jj . _c,j,-\ J व . ... सt..:,f l: ঳ U,,.. ,,1 ,,,. ,,,. "' r-'জ '-!),.. U' ,,,. ,,.. U ,,.. ,,. / / / ,,.. / J .... ,,,. .... T ,,,. ,,,, / ,,,. ,,,. (. ,,,. ;:;:; ,,,. -.;Jj " ('/n\j d ' Io lALl श m p qI Io l.!)J·¦ $1 'Gii};J J r--"-' M / > / / M / [ J J J ,.. ,,,, .i - ., ֱ Ӿ@ ष B -.;J Clj µ1; D lyE "No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book [of Decrees] 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 achieve, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters" (al-Hadeed 22-23).3 ( 5) Belief in al-Qadar gives a person strength and courage. He knows that Allah has recorded his life and his sustenance for him. Such comes only from Allah and is already decreed. Hence, he need not fear struggling and fighting for the sake of Allah as the time of his death is already recorded. He need not fear anyone when it comes to his sustenance and provision as such come only from Allah and have been already recorded for him. No human can cut off his sustenance and livelihood if Allah has decreed that he shall continue to receive provisions and sustenance from some source.4 1 Cf., ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Usool al-Imaan, p. 58. 2 Cf., ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Usool al-Imaan, p. 58. 3 Cf., ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Usool al-Imaan, p. 58. 4 Cf., Salaam, p. 1 73. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi ( 6) When a person does not believe that there is a wise being controlling this universe and that everything just happens by chance, then there is no real need to work and strive for any goal. This striving does not really increase the chance of achieving one's goal, if everything is truly by chance or the merciless, impersonal works of nature. However, when one realizes that everything happens according to Allah's decree and wisdom and that Allah has designed natural and moral laws for this creation, he knows that ifhe abides by what Allah has guided him to, Allah will help him and he will be able to achieve his goals by the help and will of Allah. Some Conclusions about the Islamic Beliefs In the preceding pages, many of the basic aspects of Islamic beliefs have been discussed. Before moving on to the next topic mentioned in this hadith of Jibreel, some important conclusions should be stated about these beliefs.' First, they are the beliefs that are pleasing to Allah and they are part of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon the believers. Allah has stated, describing this deen that the Angel Jibreel came to teach the Muslims in this hadith, ,. °('l J -" ,,.. -" .- J. ,.. J. ,,,. J. J ,.. J ,, ,.. .,. r--"' ळJ) ऴ y z::{;ij |:; } Ǻi r_;;J\ "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as a religion" (al-Maaidah 3). No other creed or way of life can make such a claim because every other ideology has either been completely invented by man (such as existentialism) or have been distorted from the pure teachings originally revealed by God (such as Judaism and Christianity). The only ideology that can realistically, logically and historically make a claim for itself that it is truly pleasing to God is the ideology or creed of Islam. Second, it is the foundation of the correct worship of Allah. Therefore, it is the foundation for the proper way of life in this world, such that a person lives his life according to the purpose for which he was created. Allah says, ,,,. ,,,J ,, ,J J. ,,.. . ȍ ')\ ' ')(  -1\ ..:..lGd,. w . - ..r ) (.);"' '.) .... ,,,. ; ; ,,.. "I created not jinn and mankind except for them to worship Me alone" (al­ Dhaariyaat 56).