All Occurs By the Will and Decree of Allāh.

All Occurs By the Will and Decree of Allāh.

What could affect the Qadar (what has already been written for us) of Allāh SWT?

Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-'ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.” [Al-Hadid 57, 22-23]

Nothing exists except by the will and decree of Allāh, as Allāh says:

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah  

[Al-Hadid 57:22]

Ibn Kathir (Rahimallāh) in his Tafsir said: Everything that affects Mankind is duly measured and destined.

Allāh reminds of His measuring and deciding the destiny of all things before He created the creation: “No calamity occurs on the earth nor in yourselves” meaning, `there is nothing that touches you or happens in existence,' “but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees before We bring it into existence.” meaning, `before We created the creation and started life.' 

Qatadah commented on this Ayah: “No calamity occurs on the earth” refers to famine, while, “or nor in yourselves” refers to suffering and diseases.'' He also said, "We were told that every person who suffers a prick of a thorn, a twisted ankle, or a bleeding vein, has it occur on account of his sins. What Allāh forgives is even more.'' This great, honorable Ayah provides clear evidence to the misguidance of the cursed Qadariyyah sect, who deny Allāh’s Preordainment and His knowledge of everything before it occurs. 

`Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As narrated , who said, "I heard the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) say, “Allāh ordained the measures (of everything) fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.'' [Muslim, Ahmad] 

Allāh’s statement, “Verily, that is easy for Allāh.” means that He knows all things before they occur, and He records them exactly as they will occur when they occur, and this is easy for Him. Verily, Allāh knows what happened, what will happen and what did not happen, and what shape and form it will take if it were to happen.

Ordering Patience and Gratitude

Allāh said:

“In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.” 

[Al-Hadid 57:23]

The ayat, “In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you.” meaning, `We informed you of Our encompassing knowledge, recording all things before they occur and creating all things in due measure known to Us, so that you may know that what has met you would never have missed you and what has missed you would never have met you. Therefore, do not grieve for what you have missed of fortune, because had it been destined for you, you would have achieved it.' (It is also recited :) “nor rejoice over that which came to you”

 

The phrase ‘came to you” means “which has been given to you.” Both meanings are related. Allāh says here, `do not boast before people about what Allāh has favored you with, because it is not you who earned it by your efforts. Rather, all this came your way because Allāh destined them for you and provided them for you as provisions. Therefore, do not use what Allāh has granted you as a reason to boast and become arrogant with others.' 

Allāh’s statement: “And Allāh likes not prideful boasters.” meaning, who acts arrogantly with other people. `Ikrimah commented by saying, "Every one of us feels happiness and grief. However, make your joy with gratitude and endure your grief with patience.''

[Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

And the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” [Narrated and classified as sahih by At-Tirmidzi (2516), from the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbās.]

Al-Mubarakfuri said: “The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried” means, what has been decreed has been written in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfouz (the Book of Decrees), and nothing else will be written after that is done.

[Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 7/186]

The writing is of two types: firstly a kind which cannot be altered or changed, which is what is in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfouz, and secondly a type which may be altered or changed, which is in the hands of the angels. And the ultimate outcome is what is written in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfouz. This is one of the meanings of the words of Allāh: “Allāh blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfouz)”  [Al-Rad, 13:39]

Hence, we can comprehend what was narrated in the Sunnah, that upholding family ties increases one’s lifespan or increases one’s provision; or that duā’ can alter the divine decree. For Allāh knows whether His servants will uphold the ties of kinship or make duā’, so He writes in Al-Lauh Al-Mahfouz that this person will have more provision or a longer life span.

Ibn Taimiyyah said:

Provision is of two types:

1.That which Allāh knows He will provide, which cannot be changed.

2. That which He has prescribed and told to the angels. This may increase or decrease depending on causes.

If Allāh commands the angels to write provision for a person if he upholds the ties of kinship and because of it Allāh will increase his provision. It was proven in Al-Sahihayn that the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life span to be extended let him uphold the ties of kinship.” Similarly the life span of Dawud ('alaihissalam) was extended by sixty years and Allāh made it one hundred years, after it was originally forty. This is as ‘Umar said: “O Allāh , if you have decreed that I am to be doomed, then erase that and make me one of those who are to be blessed, because You blot out whatever You will and confirm whatever You will.”

Similarly Allāh said of Nuh (‘alaihis-Salam):

“That you should worship Allāh (Alone), fear (be dutiful to) Him, and obey me, He (Allāh) will forgive you of your sins and respite you to an appointed term” 

[Nuh, 71:3-4]

And there is a great deal of corroborating evidence. The means of acquiring provision comes under the heading of that which Allāh has decreed. If it has been decreed that a person will earn his provision by means of his work and efforts, and then Allāh will cause him to work and strive and that which is decreed for him by means of his work it will not come to him without him working to earn it. And what has been decreed for him without his having to earn it, such as an inheritance, will come to him without him working for it.

Work or striving is of two types: striving in work for the sake of earning a living, such as industry, farming and business; and striving in du’a, putting one's trust in Allāh, treating others kindly, and so on. Allāh will help His servants so long as His servants help his brother.

[Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 8/540, 541]

Allāh Almighty Knows Best.

[Adapted from Islam Q&A]