Al Qadaa wal Qadr
It is well known and accepted that the Divine Will (al-Qadaa) and Decree (al Qadr) of Allahﷻ forms a fundamental part of a Muslim's iman (i.e. belief in Islam).
Al-Qadaa, the Divine Will
The Muslim believes that for all that has happened, all outcomes were indeed the Divine Will and were not ever meant to have been any other way. The Arabic word ‘Qadaa’ can be translated as perfection and completion. Al-Qadaa is the Will of Allahﷻ , which means that everything that surrounds us, happenings, one’s current state and condition, all fall under the decree, the Will of Allahﷻ . We have a choice to accept and be at peace with one’s state or condition, or the alternative is to try and resist one’s circumstances, that is to resist Allah's ﷻ Decree, to resist the Irresistible!
Our family, friends, current wealth, outcomes and results, all events whether these be joyful or involve bereavement, all of one’s circumstances, are Al-Qadaa. Acceptance of one’s circumstances then is not just to tolerate them but to truly accept al-Qadaa is to truly accept that one’s circumstances are perfect and complete. Every circumstance is perfect and complete. With this understanding and acceptance one can see that it is entirely futile to fight or resist the inevitable for this was exactly how it was meant to be for us.
Al-Qadr
Al-Qadr is the decree of the Allahﷻ . Al-Qadr is the Muslim's belief that all that will happen has already been decreed by the Almighty – that is, one believes all that will happen is predestined, already determined.
Four parts of belief in Al-Qada and Al-Qadr:
1
Allahﷻ knows all things, in general terms and in detail. Not a single particle is unknown to him in the heavens or on earth.
2
Allahﷻ has decreed all things in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz (the Book of Decrees) before Heﷻ created the heavens and the earth.
Surah 33 Al-Ahzaab Ayat 38
wakanaamru Allahi qadaran maqdoora
and the command of Allah is a decree determined
3
Allahﷻ is the Irresistible and Hisﷻ Decree is comprehensive, so nothing happens in this universe, good or bad, but by Hisﷻ Will.
Surat 23 Al-Kahf Ayat 23-24
Wala taqoolanna lishay-in innee faAAilunthalika ghada
And never say of anything, “I shall do such-and-such thing tomorrow.”
Illa an yashaa Allahuwathkur rabbaka itha naseeta waqul AAasaan yahdiyani rabbee li-aqraba min hatha rashada
Except (with the saying), “If Allah Will!” And remember your Lord when you forget and say: “It may be that my Lord guides me unto a nearer way of truth than this.”
4
All things that exist are created by Allahﷻ . Heﷻ is the Creator of their attributes and actions.
Surah 54 Al Qamar Ayat 49
Inna kulla shay-in khalaqnahubiqadar
Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)
Al-Qadaa forms a key belief of a Muslim and belief in this gives one peace of mind and tranquillity. One is freed from being consumed with sorrow, regret, sadness, distress or self-pity in the knowledge that certain outcomes were simply not within one’s sphere of control. One is released from the ‘if only' mentality. It is how it is and that’s that!
One is freed from comparing and making judgements of others, particularly one’s nearest and dearest! Family, friends, work colleagues and associates are all al- Qadaa; they are perfect and complete and we can accept them just as they are.