The commandments of faith in destiny and contentment with divine decree

This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Hussain bin Mubarak Al-Mawsili's Arabic book Al-Awamer wal-Nawahi, whose Urdu translation has been done by Muhammad Sarwar Gohar Sahib under the title Ahkamat o Mamnoaat.

Faith in Qadr (Divine Decree) and Its Related Commands​

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There is a difference of opinion between the Ash'aris and the Maturidis regarding Qada and Qadar. According to the Ash'aris, Qadar is accidental (new) and Qada is eternal. Whereas according to the Maturidis, Qadar is eternal and Qada is accidental.

Reference: (See Jawharat al-Tawhid p. 113)

① Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه states, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
لا يؤمن عبد حتى يؤمن بالقدر خيره وشره، وحتى يعلم أن ما أصابه لم يكن ليخطئه، وأن ما أخطأه لم يكن ليصيبه
"Until a person believes in the good and bad of Qadar, he cannot be a believer, and also know that whatever has reached him could not have missed him, and whatever has missed him could not have reached him."

Reference: (Al-Tirmidhi, Book of Faith in Qadar, Hadith 2144)

This narration is very weak because it contains Abdullah bin Maymun, who is a denier of hadith.

Reference: (See Mukhtasar al-Kamil by al-Maqrizi 990)

This hadith is authentic with its supporting narrations. For details see:

Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah (2439).

② Tawus رحمه الله states, I heard some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم saying:
كل شيء بقدر حتى العجز والكسل
"Everything, even weakness and laziness, is according to Qadar."

Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Al-Qadar, Hadith 2655/18, Al-Muwatta, Al-Qadar, Hadith 4, Musnad Ahmad, 110/2.)

Being Content with Divine Decree​

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① Sayyiduna Saad bin Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
من سعادة ابن آدم رضاه بما قضى الله، ومن شقاوة ابن آدم تركه استخارة الله، ومن شقاوة ابن آدم سخطه بما قضى الله
"The happiness of the son of Adam is that he remains content with the decisions of Allah; the misery and misfortune of the son of Adam is that he stops seeking Istikhara (seeking good) from Allah; and the misfortune of the son of Adam is that he dislikes the decisions of Allah."

Reference: Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Qadr (2151). The narration is weak. In its chain, Muhammad bin Abi Hamid is weak in hadith.

② Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates from the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم that he said:
إن عظم الجزاء مع عظم البلاء، وإن الله تعالى إذا أحب قوما ابتلاهم، فمن رضي فله الرضا، ومن سخط فله السخط
"The greater the trial, the greater the reward. That is why when Allah loves a people, He tests them with trials. So whoever expresses contentment, he attains (Allah’s) pleasure, and whoever expresses displeasure, (Allah’s) displeasure befalls him."

Reference: Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Zuhd (2396); Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Fitan (4031). The narration is Hasan.

③ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إذا نظر أحدكم إلى من فضل عليه فى المال والخلق، فلينظر إلى من هو أسفل منه ممن فضل عليه
"When any of you sees a person who is superior to him in wealth and beauty, he should also look at those who are less than him in these matters and who have been given preference over him."

Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Riqaq (6490); Muslim, Kitab al-Zuhd wal-Riqaq (2963).