Belief in Fate and Foreordination

The sixth pillar of faith in Islam is to believe in Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) fate and foreordination, and to believe that whatever happens in this universe, good or bad, is happening by the foreordination of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), and that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) ordained it long before creation.

The Muslim’s belief in fate and foreordination concludes three aspects.

The first, that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is Omni-science, knows everything, and that He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) knows whatever happens, good or bad, eternally. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command: that ye may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends all things in (His) Knowledge.” (Holy Quran, Surah At-Talaaq, 65: 12).

The second is that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) foreordained what He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) Knows fifty thousand years before creation. “Knowest thou not that Allah knows all that is in heaven and on earth? Indeed it is all in a Record, and that is easy for Allah.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Hajj, 22: 70).

“And of all things have We taken account in a clear Book (of evidence).” (Holy Quran, Surah Ya-Sin, 36: 12).

Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) foreordained the fate of all creations fifty thousand years before He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) creates the earth and the skies.”  [1]

He (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also said, “Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) foreordained everything, then created the skies and the earth.”  [2]

The third is that what Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) foreordains must happen, and no one can prevent this. “And the command of Allah is a decree determined.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33: 38)

Whatever people do, good or bad, happens with Allah’s Knowledge and awareness. “But ye shall not will except as Allah wills, the Cherisher of the Worlds.” (Holy Quran, Surah At-Takwir, 81: 29).

Human deeds do not happen by compulsion, for humans are Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) noblest creations, they have the ability to choose between good and evil. “Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? And a tongue, and a pair of lips? And shown him the two highways?” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Balad, 90: 8-10).

If a person chooses the better of the two paths, following Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) guidance, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will increase the rewards to him/her in this life and in the hereafter. “But to those who receive Guidance, He increases the (light of) Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and Restraint (from evil).” (Holy Quran, Surah Muhammad, 47: 17).

If a person chooses the worse of the two paths, neglecting Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) guidance, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will increase the punishments to him/her in this life and in the hereafter. “In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease: And grievous is the penalty they (incur), because they are false (to themselves).” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 10).

Thus, the person performs his/her deeds by his/her choice.

“And whatever ye do that is good, - Allah knows it well.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 215). The person’s choice is not coercively against Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), but it is with the will of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), Who makes the person able to do so. “But Allah has created you and your handwork!” (Holy Quran, Surah As-Saffaat, 37: 96).

The Muslim’s belief in fate and foreordination includes believing in other matters that were foreordained by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala):

1- Whatever happens to the person good or bad, Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “No one will be considered as a true faithful believer until he/she believes in foreordination, the good, and the bad, and until he/she knows and believe, that whatsoever happens to him/her cannot be avoided and whatsoever does not happen to him/her would never happen to him/her.” [3]

Thus, the person’s heart will be connected with his/her Lord (Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and not with the cause of the problem, which Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) made as a means to execute His (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) foreordination. This will instill comfort and peace of mind in the believer when he/she faces adversity, and instill the love for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he/she faces wealth and happiness.

“No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah. In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For Allah loves not any vainglorious boaster,” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Hadid, 57: 22-23).

2- The amount of creation’s subsistence, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “And there is not a thing but its (sources and) treasures (inexhaustible) are with Us; but We only send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Hijr, 15: 21).

This will increase the Muslim’s confidence by knowing that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) alone controls everything he/she earns or gains. “Say: "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector": and on Allah let the Believers put their trust.” (Holy Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 51).

The Muslim also knows that, “If all the people gathered in order to benefit him/her, will never benefit him/her of anything except what Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) already foreordains, and if all the people gathered in order to harm him/her, will never harm him/her of anything except what Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) already foreordains.”[4]

This understanding will lead the Muslim to earn his living and needs in lawful ways. Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Do not feel that your subsistence is slow, (do not worry) no servant will die before he/she gets all what Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) foreordains for him/her.” [5]

In another narration, he (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “The trustee Spirit (Gabriel (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)) told me that, “no soul shall die before taking all its subsistence,” so fear Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and ask Him.” [6]

3– The age and the time of death of creations, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed” (Holy Quran, Surah Az-Zumar, 39: 42).

This will remind the Muslim of his/her weakness, and the need for his/her Lord (Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala). Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “If Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) tortures the people of the heavens and the people of the earth, He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will do so without being wrongdoer. If He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) give them mercy, His Mercy (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is better than their deeds. If you give a mountain of gold as charity, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will not accept from you, until you believe in foreordination and know, that whatsoever happen to you, cannot be avoided, whatsoever did not happen to you could not happen to you, and if you die without knowing and believing these, you will be punished with the Hellfire.” [7]

The Muslim’s belief in fate and foreordination makes him/her accepts adversity with gladness, considering it as a gift.

Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “How wonderful! Everything is good for the true faithful believer, and only he/she will feel so. When he/she receives a reward or happiness, he/she will thank Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), and that is good for him/her, and if he/she faces a problem, he/she will be patient and that is good for him/her.” [8]

Thus, the pillars of faith are safety valves for the good of the human society, for; they instill comfort, mercy and care in the Muslims’ hearts. Consequently, they lead to peaceful, loving, and caring society, full of joy and happiness, and pleasure for their Lord and cherisher (Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala).