❀ Is Everything Linked to Divine Decree? — In Light of the Qur’an and Hadith ❀
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
Taqdīr refers to the belief that Allah has already determined everything, and His knowledge encompasses what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. However, this does not imply that humans are completely compelled. Rather, Islam establishes a balanced view between predestination and human free will.
Sūrah al-Ḥadīd (57:22)
"مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ"
Translation:
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a Register before We bring it into being. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.”
Point:
This verse proves that everything is prewritten and recorded in Allah’s knowledge before it comes into existence.
Sūrah al-Furqān (25:2)
"وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ تَقْدِيرًۭا"
Translation:
“He created everything and measured it with precise determination.”
Point:
Everything—be it life, provision, or time—is already predetermined in its amount, timing, and method by Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Allah wrote the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2653
Point:
This ḥadīth affirms that everything was written long before existence, and Allah has complete knowledge of all affairs.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Every child is born upon the fitrah (natural state), but his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1358, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2658
Point:
This ḥadīth shows that while human actions are within the scope of divine decree, humans are granted free will to choose between good and evil.
Sūrah al-Dahr (76:3)
"إِنَّا هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًۭا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًۭا"
Translation:
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful.”
Point:
Allah has shown man the path of right and wrong; it is up to the individual to choose which path to take.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Duʿā changes destiny, and righteousness increases lifespan."
Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī: 2139, Ibn Mājah: 90
Point:
This ḥadīth teaches that supplication and righteous actions can affect aspects of fate, though such changes are already within Allah’s infinite knowledge.
This is based on Allah’s eternal knowledge and never changes.
Examples:
◈ The Day of Judgement
◈ The system of Paradise and Hell
◈ Universal laws of creation
This can be influenced by human actions, prayers, and efforts.
Examples:
◈ A sick person who prays and seeks treatment may recover
◈ Calamities may be averted through charity and good deeds
① Everything is within Allah’s knowledge, and destiny is already written.
② Allah has determined everything, but humans have been granted limited free will.
③ Through supplication, righteous deeds, and effort, some aspects of fate may change.
④ Humans are accountable for their actions, and will be judged accordingly.
Indeed, everything is linked to Taqdīr, but within that framework, human beings are not compelled. They have been granted the choice between good and evil. Therefore, we must strive for good deeds, make sincere duʿā, and live with the belief that both Taqdīr and human responsibility coexist in perfect balance.
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Understanding the Concept of Taqdīr (Divine Decree)
Taqdīr refers to the belief that Allah has already determined everything, and His knowledge encompasses what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. However, this does not imply that humans are completely compelled. Rather, Islam establishes a balanced view between predestination and human free will.
❖ Taqdīr in the Light of the Qur’an
➊ Everything Is Already Written by Allah
Sūrah al-Ḥadīd (57:22)"مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ"
Translation:
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a Register before We bring it into being. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.”
Point:
This verse proves that everything is prewritten and recorded in Allah’s knowledge before it comes into existence.
➋ All Things Happen by Allah’s Command
Sūrah al-Furqān (25:2)"وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ تَقْدِيرًۭا"
Translation:
“He created everything and measured it with precise determination.”
Point:
Everything—be it life, provision, or time—is already predetermined in its amount, timing, and method by Allah.
❖ Taqdīr in the Light of the Hadith
➊ Divine Decree Was Written Before Creation
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Allah wrote the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2653Point:
This ḥadīth affirms that everything was written long before existence, and Allah has complete knowledge of all affairs.
➋ Human Actions Are Also Part of Taqdīr
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Every child is born upon the fitrah (natural state), but his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1358, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2658Point:
This ḥadīth shows that while human actions are within the scope of divine decree, humans are granted free will to choose between good and evil.
❖ Are Humans Compelled or Free?
➊ A Balance Between Taqdīr and Free Will
Sūrah al-Dahr (76:3)"إِنَّا هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًۭا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًۭا"
Translation:
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful.”
Point:
Allah has shown man the path of right and wrong; it is up to the individual to choose which path to take.
➋ Supplication, Good Deeds, and Effort Can Influence Fate
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Duʿā changes destiny, and righteousness increases lifespan."
Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī: 2139, Ibn Mājah: 90Point:
This ḥadīth teaches that supplication and righteous actions can affect aspects of fate, though such changes are already within Allah’s infinite knowledge.
❖ Types of Taqdīr According to Scholars
➊ Permanent Decree (al-Qadar al-ʿIlmī):
This is based on Allah’s eternal knowledge and never changes.
Examples:
◈ The Day of Judgement
◈ The system of Paradise and Hell
◈ Universal laws of creation
➋ Conditional Decree (al-Qadar al-ʿAmalī):
This can be influenced by human actions, prayers, and efforts.
Examples:
◈ A sick person who prays and seeks treatment may recover
◈ Calamities may be averted through charity and good deeds
✿ Summary of Key Points:
① Everything is within Allah’s knowledge, and destiny is already written.
② Allah has determined everything, but humans have been granted limited free will.
③ Through supplication, righteous deeds, and effort, some aspects of fate may change.
④ Humans are accountable for their actions, and will be judged accordingly.
✦ Conclusion:
Indeed, everything is linked to Taqdīr, but within that framework, human beings are not compelled. They have been granted the choice between good and evil. Therefore, we must strive for good deeds, make sincere duʿā, and live with the belief that both Taqdīr and human responsibility coexist in perfect balance.
