Q / A On Taqdeer

[ummtaalib]

Do not delve too deep in the subject of Taqdeer

 

By Mufti Shafiq Jakhura
 

 

Q.My question is regarding taqdeer (fate): if Allah has
written the taqdeer for every individual, then why does He punish accordingly,
since it is He that has prescribed this . For example the uncle of the Prophet
, (Abu Talib) was not able to
accept Islam as Allah did not appoint him with hidayat (guidance). If that was
the way Allah had prescribed his life, then why should he be punished?

 

A. The subject of taqdeer is one that is
very delicate and intricate. Delving too deep into this subject is discouraged
and has caused many to go astray. However, in order to clarify your concern one
should understand that Taqdeer does not refer to the command of Allah. Allah has
not forced nor commanded any person to commit wrong. Rather it refers to the
knowledge of Allah. Allah has blessed every person with the ability to choose
between right and wrong. One does right or wrong of his/her own prerogative.
Hence, if a person does evil or commits a sin, he does not do so because he was
forced into it. Rather, he does so out of his own choice. Yes, Allah out of His
infinite knowledge knew that this person would choose the wrong path.

 

Perhaps a simple example would assist in understanding this concept further.
If a newspaper announces that the head of State is to travel to South Africa,
and thereafter he does indeed travel, he does so out of his own choice and not
because the newspaper had knowledge thereof or had announced his plans.

 

Nevertheless, my sincere advice is that you do not delve too deep into this
subject and accept the concept as mentioned above. Remember, every person has a
choice. No person is forced to do good or evil.

 

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

http://www.albalagh.net/qa/0123.shtml

[ummtaalib]

A question regaeding Taqdeer

 

Question

Is it correct to say Allah SWT has destined our good and bad deeds for us in accordance with his knowledge because he knew what we would choose?

 

Answer

Firstly, one should bear in mind that the Mas’ala of Taqdeer (Fate) is not a Mas’ala that one should indulge into and try to understand through logic.

Imam Zurqani R.A quotes Ibnul Sam’aani in his Sharh of Muwatta.

 

قَالَ ابْنُ السَّمْعَانِيِّ: سَبِيلُ مَعْرِفَةِ هَذَا الْبَابِ التَّوْقِيفُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَالسُّنَّةِ دُونَ مَحْضِ الْقِيَاسِ وَالْعَقْلِ، فَمَنْ عَدَلَ عَنِ التَّوْقِيفِ ضَلَّ وَتَاهَ فِي بِحَارِ الْحَيْرَةِ وَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ شِفَاءً وَلَا يَطْمَئِنُّ بِهِ الْقَلْبُ ; لِأَنَّ الْقَدَرَ سِرٌّ منْ أَسْرَارِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى اخْتُصَّ بِهِ الْخَبِيرُ الْعَلِيمُ وَضَرَبَ دُونَهُ الْأَسْتَارَ، وَحَجَبَهُ عَنْ عُقُولِ الْخَلْقِ وَمَعَارِفِهِمْ لِمَا عَلِمَهُ مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ، فَلَمْ يَعْلَمْهُ نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ وَلَا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ، وَقِيلَ: الْقَدَرُ يَنْكَشِفُ لَهُمْ إِذَا دَخَلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يَنْكَشِفُ قَبْلَ دُخُولِهَا. (شرح الزرقاني 4/382)

 

He says, “The path to understand the concept of Taqdeer is to use Quran and Sunnah and not to use ones intellect and ration. Whosoever moves away from the Quran and Sunnah in this matter has gone astray and is wandering in the oceans of confusion. He will never reach a conclusion and his heart will never be content. Because Taqdeer is a secret from the secrets of Allah Ta’ala which He has kept to Himself and has placed a curtain over it. He has hidden it from the understanding of his creation, because of some wisdom which only He knows. No Prophet or Angel has been let on this secret. Some Ulema have said that the secret of Taqdeer will be uncovered when the believers enter Jannah.

 

The Sahabah were once engaged in a conversation regarding Taqdeer. When the Prophet of Allah Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam heard it, his face became red with anger, and he forbid them from talking about Taqdeer.

 

To understand, this much is enough that whatever action a human does, he does not do it because Allah forced him to do it. Rather he was going to do it, and Allah knew that this was what he will be doing out of his own choice and will.

 

Besides that, whenever these thoughts come to you, recite Laa hawla wa Laa Quwwata Illa Billah, and think about something else. Shaytan places these thoughts in ones mind to stop him from doing Amal.

 

And Allah is All Knowing

http://www.tafseer-raheemi.com/q796-a-question-regading-taqdeer/

[ummtaalib]

Nothing can alter Taqdeer but Dua

 

Question

I have read a hadith thats says some thing to the effect ""Nothing can alter taqdeer but dua." please could you provide me a reference for this hadith if it is authentic.

 

Answer

 

This Hadith is found in Jaami Tirmidhi (pg.35), Babu laylatul qadr ilaa duaa

 

Fate is something which is predestined. In this Hadith ‘That nothing repels fate but du’aa (supplication)’. This Hadith mentions du’aa, to show its importance that if anything could stop fate, it would be du’aa. Du’aa is a very important tool for the believer. The Sahaaba had their needs fulfilled through du’aa. May Allah bless us so that we turn to Him in every condition – good or bad.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/13902.html

[ummtaalib]

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT FAILURE WAS BECAUSE OF LAZINESS OR TAQDEER?

 

Question:

How can we determine that behind our failure in a specific task, whether our laziness is culpable or Allah's will is responsible?

 

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

 

We are living in the world of means. [Asbaab]. We are required to adopt means to fulfil our needs. If one sits back and does not adopt means, then the failure is definitely attributed to one’s negligence. When one adopts means, he should not trust in his means, as the means are not effective in themselves. Our belief is Allah is muassire haqeeqi [the real causer of effects]. To place ones trust in ones means is against our belief. Once a person adopts all the necessary means in achieving anything, he should place his trust in Allah and Taqdeer. Whatever happens after that, whether ones objective is fulfilled or not, it is the decision of Allah. If one’s objective is not fulfilled, he will still be rewarded for adopting means and submitting to Allah and Taqdeer. The greatest act of worship is to submit to Taqdeer and be happy with the decree of Allah. If this attitude is entrenched in an individual, he will have no grief and regrets for anything.

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

 

Ridwaan Ibn Khalid Esmail [Kasak]

Student Darul Iftaa

Katete, Zambia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.