Pakistan International School Jeddah English Section

Academic Year: 2021–2022

Islamiyat 0493
Notes and Guidelines

Student Name/ID

Class/ Section

Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam

Chapter 8

Topic Belief in Predestination/Divine Decree

Reference Note - 6

Divine Decree
 Chapter 8 Belief in Al-Qadr - Predestination

Generic Guidelines
 These notes are consisted of outlines NOT the complete answer.
 Outlines are based on the IGCSE requirements with the reference of past paper
question and guidelines with examiner report for the relevant topics.
 These notes will serve the students as a mind map, in order to form a well-
developed answer.
 Students are required to use the given key points to develop the response in their
own words.
 For some topics notes are given in complete paragraph form to give idea how to
develop the answer.
 References are also included within the notes to help students memorize.

Following is the pattern to answer the questions related to the ‘Predestination’

Define the concept of pre destination and Muslim’s belief related to it. It is the sixth article of
faith. Elaborate the thoughts related to predestination. Candidate can mention that how
Muslims can live a moderate life by believing in Divine Decree and putting their best efforts.

General Outline:

o Introduction with reference.

o Al-Qadar comprises four components:
o Allah (SWT)’s knowledge
o Allah (SWT)’s Pre-recording - Lawh Al- Mahfooz’
o Allah (SWT)’s will
o Allah (SWT)’s creation
o Predestination and human’s free will
o Conclusion

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 Chapter 8 Belief in Al-Qadr - Predestination

Past Paper Questions and Marking Scheme

‘Predestination/Divine Decree’
Part ‘A’ (10 marks Question)

Students are required to recall, select and present relevant facts from the main elements of
the faith and history of Islam in part ‘A’.
Part (a)
(i) Write an account about the relationship between belief in God’s divine decree
andhuman responsibility. [10] Oct/ Nov 2017
(ii) What does the statement “there is no ability or power except through Allah”
tell youabout Muslim’s belief in Allah’s predestination and decree?
[10] May/ June 2011

Marking Scheme:

The sixth article of Islamic faith is belief in divine decree which means that everything good
or bad, all moments of happiness or sorrow, pleasure or pain, come from God. Firstly, it
could be said that God’s foreknowledge is infallible. God is not indifferent to this world or
its people. He is Wise and Loving, but this should not make us fatalists, throwing up our
hands and saying, ‘what’s the point of making any effort?’ God’s foreknowledge does not
compromise human responsibility. God holds us accountable for what we can do, what is
within our capability, but He does not hold us accountable for things we cannot do. He is
Just and, as He has given us only limited responsibility, judges us accordingly. God knows
what the creatures will do, encompassing everything by His knowledge. Whoever refuses,
this denies God’s perfection because the opposite of knowledge is either ignorance or
forgetfulness. Both are deficiencies which God is free of. Second, God has recorded
everything that will occur until the Day of Judgment in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lauh al-
Mahfuz). The life spans of all human beings are written and the amount of their sustenance
apportioned. Third, whatever God wills to happen happens, and whatever God does not
will does not happen. Nothing occurs in the heavens or on earth without the will of God.
Fourth, God is the Creator of everything. "He has created everything, and has ordained
for it a measure." (Quran 25:2) In Islamic doctrine every human act both in material and
spiritual life is predestined, yet it is incorrect to believe the action of fate is blind, arbitrary,
and relentless. Without denying divine interference in human affairs, human liberty is kept
intact. It does not discount the principle of man’s moral freedom and responsibility. All is
known, but freedom is also granted. Man is not a helpless creature borne along by destiny.
Rather, each person is responsible for his acts. Man is bound to obey the moral law; and
he will receive merited punishment or reward as he violates or observes that law. However,
if such is so, man must have within his power the ability to break or keep the law. God
would not hold us responsible for something unless we were capable of doing it:
"God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear’’. (Quran
2:286)
The above is a very detailed response to the question asked written for the guidance of
examiners. Candidates are not expected to write in this much detail but must cover the
points made in the given answer, the mark will depend on the depth of the answer.

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 Chapter 8 Belief in Al-Qadr - Predestination

Answer must begin with the general introduction and details about each aspect as
mentioned in the outline
Belief in Predestination/Divine Decree

Introduction:
o The last pillar of the Islamic faith in which every Muslim must believe is the concept of Al-
Qadr, which means to pre-ordainment or predestination (Divine Decree, destiny, fate).
o There are two types of decree
o When one believes in the theory of Al-Qadr, ‘Divine Decree,’ they affirm that everything
good or bad that happens in their life comes from Allah the Almighty; something He willed
to happen.
o Al-Qadr in Arabic linguistically means to measure, to determine, to assess, to decide, to
judge.
o In Islamic terminology, Al-Qadr refers to ‘Divine determined measurements and
sustenance for everyone and everything, in accordance with His ‘Wisdom and Power.’
Allah (SWT) states in his Book: “Indeed, all things We created with predestination
(Quran 54:49).”
o Allah the Almighty, being All-Knowing and All-Wise, knows of past, present and future.
Whereas mankind has the free will to make their own choices in life, everything that occurs
in life occurs only with the Will and Power of God.

Al-Qadar is comprised of four components:

1- Allah (SWT)’s knowledge:

o The first component is the belief that Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything, every
matter, major or minor, and the time frame of everything that happens in this universe.
Allah’s Knowledge encompasses all of His actions and actions taken by His slaves.

2- Allah (SWT)’s Pre-recording - Lawh Al- Mahfooz’

o The second component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah recorded everything in a
Tablet that He kept with Himself, called 'Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooth' (The Preserved Tablet).
Allah Says (what means): “Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the heaven and
earth? Indeed, that is in a Record [ Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooth]. Indeed that, for Allah, is
easy.” [22:70]
o Abdullaah bin 'Amr bin Al-'Aas (RA) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (SWT) say:
“Allah recorded the measurement of all matters pertaining to creation fifty thousand
years before He created the heavens and earth.” [Muslim]
o Each person’s lifespan, amount of substance, deeds, happiness, sorrow, and more is
written and recorded in this Tablet.

3- Allah (SWT)’s will

o The third component of Divine Decree is the belief that nothing can occur without the Will
and Power of Allah, whether the event stems from the action of the Almighty or actions of
humanity. Nothing occurs haphazardly; the Almighty has planned everything.
o Allah (SWT) says “And your Lord creates what He Wills and Chooses…” (Quran
28:68) The universe is Allah’s property and nothing happens in His Kingdom without His
Knowledge and Permission.
o A Muslim acknowledges that whatever has touched or afflicted him, was meant to afflict
him, and could not have been avoided or prevented. And whatever has not reached or
afflicted him, was not meant to touch or afflict him, and he can avoid nothing unless God
has willed it. Our Prophet peace be upon him narrated, ‘Know if all of humanity gathered
to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah had decreed. The Pen has been lifted,
and the pages have dried.’

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 Chapter 8 Belief in Al-Qadr - Predestination

4- Allah (SWT)’s creation:

o The fourth and last component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah is the Creator and
Originator of all things.
o “…and has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination “(25:2)
o “ Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.”
[39:62]

Predestination and human’s free will

o Believing in Al-Qadr, as described above does not mean that people have no power over
the actions they choose to take. Holy Quran says, “Man can have nothing but what he
strives for”. (Al-Najm 53:39)
o Human beings are the superior creatures (Ashraf-ul-Makhlookat). This is because they
have given the choice to decide between right and wrong. Using our free will, it is up to us
to obey or disobey Allah, whether we obey or disobey Allah, it is known to Him.
o The fact that everything is known to Him that whatever we do, and whatever we are going
to do, it doesn't affect our freedom of will.

o We can do anything and choose any way using our free will but on the basis of our actions
our timely destiny that is yearly or daily decree is decided. This is called Qadar which
relates to the decree of one decided on daily and yearly basis. According to our belief,
these timely destinies can only be altered, by invocations and the performance of good or
bad deeds.

o The Prophet said, "A humble prayer (Du'a) can even alter your destinies.” The change
happens in a way that it is possible that Allah sends daily/yearly decree dictating the person
will die this year. However, due to that person's dua Allah might change decree extending
that person's life. As, (Prophet PBUH) said, “Nothing can change the Divine decree
except dua.”

o It’s also important to note that God will hold no one accountable for things out of their
control, or for things they cannot do. Allah is All-Just, All-Wise, and He tests humanity
according to their strength and what their soul can bear. A Muslim acknowledges the fact
that whatever difficulty they are facing will be made easy for them and that they will have a
way to resolve it.
o “God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear”
(Quran 2:286)

Conclusion:

A Muslim acknowledges that whatever befalls him or her, is in accordance with God’s Will
and Plan, whether or not they understand and accept this fact. A Muslim place his trust and
reliance in God, as God brims with Wisdom in all matters. A Muslim affirms that God is All-
Loving and loves His servants over one’s parents do and a Muslim affirms that whatever God
does must have a good motive, so a believer always assumes good and does not lose.

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 Sixth Article of Faith – Predestination/Divine Decree
Part ‘B’ (4 Marks Question)
Students are required to demonstrate understanding of its significance in the teachings of
Islam and in the lives of Muslims in part ‘B’.
Part (b):
Q. How does this belief in God’s divine decree affect the day-to-day life of Muslims?
[4] Oct/Nov 2017
Q. To what extent this belief affects the daily living of Muslim? [4]
Marking Scheme:
Belief in divine decree strengthens one’s belief in God. A person realizes that God
alone controls everything, so he trusts and relies on Him. Even though a person tries his
best, at the same time he relies on God for the final outcome. His hard work or
intelligence does not make him arrogant, for God is the source of all that comes his
way. Finally, a person attains peace of mind in the realization that God is them Wise and
His actions are dictated by wisdom. Things don’t happen without a purpose. If
something reached him, he realizes it could never have escaped him. If something
misses him, he realizes it was never meant to be. A person achieves an inner peace,
and is inwardly at rest with this realization.
Key Points
Belief in God’s predestination directly influences the conduct of Muslims in number of
ways:
 Muslim will develop true faith in God
 A person realizes that Allah alone control everything, so he trusts and relies on Him
 A person tries his best, at the same time he relies on Allah for the final outcome
 He will consider his achievements as a sign of God’s blessing and will adopt
humble attitude
 In case of failure or setback he will associate the results with God’s will
 Allah says in The Quran, “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear,
and hunger, some loss in goods or lives the fruits of your toil”. (Al-Baqarah
2:155)
 As a Muslim such an attitude will help him live normal life without developing
criminal and negative thoughts. Quran says “God is never unjust in the least
degree” (al Nisa).
 In case of Success, for example in studies or in sports, the achiever will link the
success with Allah Almighty and adopt a humble attitude
 We should pray to Allah all the time because constant praying is the only thing that
can change our destinies, as the Prophet SAW said, ‘a humble supplication can
alter destinies.”
 By knowing that destiny is decided on the basis of our actions we always remain
conscious of deeds & struggle to follow the righteous path. We pray before God and
perform good deeds to have better decisions decided for us in future.
 It further strengthens belief in the attributes and unique powers of Allah.
 It also makes us to believe that it is only Allah who knows everyone's destinies where
as individuals have no idea about their future unless they see it, thus destroying the
trust on false fortune tellers and other such claimants.
 It also develops patience in us when calamities affect us, rather than getting
hopeless we pray to Allah and hope for better future.
 Muslims use the term ‘In sha’Allah’ frequently in conversation to express belief in
al-Qadr. Insha’Allah means ‘if God is willing’ or ‘if God wills it to be so’.

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