QADR

A fundamental requirement for the validity of Imaan is belief in Qadr or predestination.

The doctrine of Qadr is among the mysteries of Allah . It is not fully comprehensible to the human mind not can it be fully explained. Qadr is related toe the Eternity of Allah . Allah is the ONE and only uncreated, infinite Being. Hence, the conception of Qadr falls within the scope of Divine Eternity. Man and all creation are created, hence finite beings. Thus man's intellect and understanding are also finite and limited. A finite entity will necessarily be subjected to limitations. Therefore, the finite and limited mind of man cannot encompass or comprehend fully and in entirety a concept which in infinite and limitless.

It is because of the inability of the finite mind and intellect to grasp in totality the infinite, unlimited, uncreated and eternal realities and truths that Rasoolullah (SAW) forbade probing into the concept of Qadr. The following hadith will indicate the Shar'i attitude in relation to Qadr.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates; “Once while we were disputing about the concept of Qadr, Rasoolullah (SAW) came upon us. (Seeing us debating the subject of Qadr) he became so much filled with anger that his face became red. His face reddened (with anger) to such an extent that it seemed that the seeds of a pomegranate were squeezed out on his cheeks. He exclaimed: ‘What! Have you been commanded with this?' , or he said: ‘What! Have I been sent to you for this? Verily, those before you were destroyed when they disputed in this question. I give you an oath! I give you an oath! (i.e. I command you) Do not dispute in it'.”

[Tirmidhi]

It is, therefore, not permissible to dispute about the mas`alah of Qadr which is a fundamental article of Imaan . The Mu'min should accept that Rasoolullah (SAW) formed the Ummah of the fundamental importance of Qadr for the validity of Imaan . Hence, irrespective of our failure to comprehend it, we believe in it. Qadr is related to the Eternal Attributes (sifaat) of Allah . It is, therefore, only logical that it will not be fully comprehensible to our minds.

The absolute essentiality of belief in Qadr for the validity of Imaan will be borne out by the following statement of the Sahaabi, Hadhrat Ubayy Bin Ka'b (RA):

“If you spend gold to the extent of Mount Uhad in the path of Allah, Allah will not accept it from you unless you believe in Qadr, and you know that whatever has befallen you could not have missed you, and that whatever has missed you could not have befallen you. If you die while holding a contrary belief to this, you will most assuredly enter the Fire.”

[Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah]

Many Sahaabah have narrated similar statements of Rasoolullah (SAW).