039  Divine Destiny


Dear readers,

It is not possible to reach an eternal happiness without becoming a mature human being. And becoming “a mature human being” is only possible with “a perfect faith”. And one of the conditions for a complete faith is to believe free of any doubt and hesitation that everything that happens in this divine order which we call the universe happens according to a divine judgment and fate. This is shortly called as "Qadar" (Predestination). Believing in predestination, that is, believing that all goodness and badness is based on the judgment of Allah is one of the six pillars of faith. Our Master the Prophet explained:

“Faith is to believe in Allah, angels, holy books, prophets, the judgment day, death, resurrection, the paradise, the hell, reckoning, the scale, predestination, and that all goodness and badness are from Allah.” [Nasai]

“Allah first created the Pen and commanded it, Write whatever will happen until eternity.” [Tirmidhi]

“Everything was written in pre-eternity. The pen dried.” [Tirmidhi]

“One who denies predestination is really unfortunate from Islam.” [Bukhari]

“Believing in predestination is one of the principles of faith.” [Tirmidhi]

“On the last days, those who deny predestination will emerge.” [Tirmidhi]

“One who denies predestination will be perished.” [Tabarani]

“No one may be considered to have faith unless they believe in predestination, that what will happen will certainly happen and that what will not happen will never happen.” [Tirmidhi]

“It is certain that Allah (swt) has created each soul and predestined their life, death, sustenance and troubles.” [Tirmidhi]


# Believing in predestination is one of the main principles of faith

As is seen, believing in "predestination" is one of the main principles of faith. The fact that the Quran contains very clear statements on this subject actually makes it a requirement to also believe His divine destiny, for anyone who believes in Allah (swt). Our almighty Rab ordered that:

“It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.” [Furqan, 2]

“Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure.” [Qamar, 49]

“No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a Book before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah.” [Hadid, 22]

“from Whom is not hidden the least little atom in the heavens or on earth: nor is there anything less than that, or greater, but is in the Record Perspicuous.” [Saba, 3]

“Knowest thou not that Allah knows all that is in heaven and on earth? Indeed it is all in a Record.” [Hajj, 70]

“He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a Record clear (to those who can read).” [Anaam, 59]


# Predestination and Its Occurrence (Qadar and Qada)

As can be clearly understood from the above verses, Allah (swt) created everything in the visible and invisible realms in a certain measurement and order, as stipulated in the Lahw-i Mahfoos (Preserved Tablet), and ascertained, in a specific program, all the events that will happen as long as realms will exist. This divine schedule is called “Qadar” (Predestina- tion) and happening of the each predestined event is called “Qada” (Occurrence).

Dear readers, the divine fate does not change.

“To every People is a term appointed: when their term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).” [Araf, 34]

“for when the Term given by Allah is accomplished, it cannot be put forward.” [Nuh, 4]

But it is understood from the following verses and hadiths that lifetime of people can increase or decrease according to some good and bad behaviors and that some troubles can be prevented with prayers:

“Nor is a man long- lived granted length of days, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Book (ordained).” [Fatir, 11]

“Predestination cannot be changed with precautions or avoidance. But a prayer which is accepted will protect against a trouble when it comes.” [Tabarani]

“Visiting one’s relatives will lengthen one’s life.” [Tabarani]

“Nothing can change the unknown fate. Only prayer may change it and only beneficence and goodness will increase one’s life.” [Hakim]

Undoubtedly, these also happen based on Allah’s judgment.


# The divine program gives people the right to choose

As we also clearly observe in the events of our daily lives, that part of the divine program which relates to human behaviors has been arranged so as to offer an intelligent human being a preference.

“By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it; And its inspiration as to its wrong and its right; Truly he succeeds that purifies it, And he fails that corrupts it!” [Shams 7-10]

“Say, "The Truth is from your Lord": Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it) [Kahf, 29]

So, there is a choice for human beings between goodness and badness. In other saying, if an individual prefers goodness (faith), that part of the program which relates to goodness will begin to operate or, if they prefer badness (disbelief), the opposite part will begin to function. The responsibility of an individual arises from this preference anyway.

Even if our ego will find it difficult, we should always prefer goodness and try to gain the consent of our Rab.

Our Master the Prophet said:

“Worship so that you will find it easier to do what is already predestined for everyone.” [Muslim]

Be entrusted to Allah.

Dr. Ismail Ulukus