Significance of the Decrees

The significance of the different levels of decrees is that the changes in the record which Allah speaks about are in some books and not others. The record in the Preserved Tablet is fixed and not subject to any change whatsoever because it is based on Allah’s eternal knowledge. However, changes may occur in the books handled by the angels, as He says:

“Allah erases what He wills and confirms what He wills. For the Mother of the Book is with Him.” (Soorah ar-Ra‘d, 13: 39)

Furthermore, Allah said:

“That you should worship Allah, fear Him, and obey me; He will forgive your sins and give you respite to an appointed term.” (Soorah Nooh, 71: 3-4)

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also quoted by Anas ibn Maalik as saying:

“Whoever would be pleased that his sustenance be expanded and his term of life extended should maintain his family ties.” (Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 8, p. 11-12, no. 15 and Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, p.p. 1359-1360, no. )

Ibn Taymiyyah explained that “there are two types of provisions and life terms: The unchanged record written in Ummul-Kitaab and another, subject to increase and decrease, made known to the angels by Allah… In the angels’ books, the life terms increase or decrease, and similarly in the case of provisions as a result of particular deeds. Thus, Allah instructs the angel to write the provisions and life term of one of His creatures such that if the person joins family ties, Allah commands the angel to increase his sustenance and life term by specified increments. The angel does not know the actual outcome of the extension in the life term, or the total amount of increase in provisions. Only Allah knows the outcome.” (Al-Fataawaa, vol. 8, p. 517 and 540)

Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalaanee explained the changes in the record as follows: “For example, the angel is instructed that the age of a person is one hundred years if he joins family ties and sixty years if he severs them. In the foreknowledge of Allah, it is already known whether he will join or sever the family ties. Whatever is in Allah’s knowledge is not subject to extension or delay. It is what is in the angels’ knowledge which may increase or decrease. This is what is referred to in Allah’s statement: “Allah erases what He wills and confirms what He wills. For the Mother of the Book is with Him.” (Soorah ar-Ra‘d, 13: 39)

The erasure and confirmation is relative to the knowledge of the angels. What is recorded in Ummul-Kitaab is relative to Allah’s eternal knowledge which is unchangeable.” (Fat’hul-Baaree, vol. 10, p. 430) [Fate in Islam, pp. 50-52 and Divine Will and Predestination, pp. 85-6]