Islam Tees

Covered in this lesson:

Question 140 – What is the evidence for the first level (of Qadr) i.e. Knowledge? – and its answer.

Question 141 – What is the evidence for the second level (of Qadr) i.e. Writing of decrees? – and its answer.

Question 142 – How many levels decrees enter into this particular (second) level? – and its answer.

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Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q140. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): The evidences:

“He is Allāh, beside Whom Lā ilāha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen…” [al-Hashr(59): 22]

…and that Allâh surrounds all things in (His) Knowledge”. [at-Talāq(65): 12]

“Those who disbelieve say: “The Hour will not come to us.” Say: “Yes, by my Lord, the All-Knower of the unseen, it will come to you.” not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant) or less than that or greater, escapes His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth, but it is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz)”. [Saba(34)’: 3]

Also:
[al-An’ām(6): 59]
[al-An’ām(6): 124]
[an-Nahl(16): 125 & al-Qalam(68): 7]
[al-An’ām(6): 53]
[al-‘Ankabūt(29): 10]
[al-Baqarah(2): 30]
[al-Baqarah(2): 216]

And it is reported in the Sahīh that a man asked, “O Messenger of Allāh! Can the people of Paradise be known (differentiated) from the people of the Fire?” He replied, “Yes”. The man said, “Then why do the people (try to) do (good) deeds?” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied, “Everyone will do the deeds for which he has been created to do or he will do those deeds which will be made easy for him to do.” [al-Bukharī in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: The Pen has dried (after the Writing has been completed) with Allāh’s Knowledge (7/210) (Eng. Trans. no. 6596) and Muslim in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: The way in which the human is created in the womb of his mother (8/48).

And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was asked about the children of the Mushrikīn so he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Allāh Knows best about what they would have done (were they to live).” [Bukharī in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: Allāh Knows best about what they would have done (7/210), Eng. Trans. no. 6597 and Muslim in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: The meaning of the statement that every newborn is born on the natural disposition and the ruling of the dead children from the disbelievers and the Muslims (7/54)].

And it is reported in Sahīh Muslim that the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Verily Allāh created people of Paradise while they were in the loins of their fathers, and he created people for the Hell-Fire while they were in the loins of their fathers.” [Muslim in the Book of Qadr (7/55), Abu Dawūd (no. 4713) and Musnad Ahmad (6/208).

And he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Verily a man performs the deeds of the people of Paradise, as it appears to the people, yet he is from the people of Hell-Fire. And verily a man performs the deeds of the people of Hell-Fire, as it appears to the people, yet he is from the people of Paradise.” [Bukharī in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: Actions are (judged by) their final outcome (7/213) and Muslim (8/49)

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): All of these are evidences for the first level.

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Provides more ayāt as evidence. Whoever denies the first level is a disbeliever as they are denying what Allāh and His Messenger has revealed.

– The opposite of knowledge is ignorance or forgetfulness.

“My Lord does not err nor does He forget”– “err” relates to future and “forget” relates to what has past.

– Q141. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

Allāh, the Most High, said, “…and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book.” [Yā-Sīn(36): 12]

“…Verily, it is (all) in the Book (al-Lauh ul-Mahfūz)…” [al-Hajj(22):70]

He, the Most High, said regarding the debate between Mūsa and Fir’awn, “He (Fir’awn) said, “What about the generations of old?” Mūsa said, “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord neither errs nor does He forget.” [Tā-Hā(20): 51-52]

Allāh, the Most High, said, “…And no female conceives or gives birth but with His Knowledge. And no aged man is granted a length of life nor a part cut off from his life (or another man’s life), but is in a Book (al-Lauh ul-Mahfūz). Surely, that is easy for Allāh.” [Fātir (35): 11]

And there are many other verses.

He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “There is no a soul, except that Allāh has written its place in Paradise or Hellfire. And it has been written whether it will be miserable or happy.” [Agreed upon. Reported by al-Bukharī in the Book of Tafsir, Chapter: The tafsīr of the Sūrah, “By the night and when it envelops…” (6/84) (Eng. Trans. no. 4944) without the addition of Surāqah. And reported by Muslim in full in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: How the human being was created. (8/47-48).

And in it Surāqah bin Malik bin Ju’shum said, “O Messenger of Allāh, explain our deen to us as if we had been created just now. Whatever deeds we do today, are they because of the fact that the pens have dried and the destinies have begun to operate or do these actions have effects in the future. Then he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “The pens have dried and the destinies have begun to operate.” Surāqah asked, “If this is so, then what is the use of doing good deeds?” He replied, “Do good deeds for each one will be facilitated.” And in another narration, “Each does will be facilitated upon his deed.” [ibid]

And there are many other narrations.

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): These evidences show that the actions from the servants, all of it has been enumerated (encompassed and preserved) in al-Lauh al-Mahfūz. All the specifics (from birth to death such as for example, which graveyard one will be buried in) are in a Record, nothing small or large is missing from it. Allāh knows whether servant is happy (so from the people of Paradise) or wretched (so from the people of Hellfire).

– Everyone is in danger as he/she doesn’t know what will come to them, maybe some tribulation comes to them and they flip, and the tribulations in this time are many.

– Du’ā mentioned in which one seeks refuge from the tribulation of Hellfire, punishment in the grave, life and death, and from the false messiah (Dajjāl).

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Regarding the hadith which mentions: “Write” and “What shall I write?”, this is everything from that moment to the establishment of The Hour. When embryo is in the womb and four months have passed, angel writes sustenance, lifespan and deeds (whether happy or wretched).

– Q142. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): Five taqadīr which enter into the writing:

1. Writing which took place (50,000 years) before the creation of the heavens and the earth.
2. Life, when Allāh took meethāq (covenant, “Am I not Your Lord?”).
3. Embryo in womb, decree written at that point in time.
4. Yearly decree which takes place in Laylatul-Qadr.
5. Daily decree which is bringing everything to occur, Allāh brings it for it to occur.

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azīz Aal ash-Shaykh: The first three types never change. Regarding 4), this is in al-Lauh al-Mahfūz, mentioned in a conditional and connected sense, attached to someone, if servant keeps ties of kinship then their lifespan is increased. If servant does this, then this will happen. Regarding 5), this is something that changes, Allāh affirms or erases.

Covered in this lesson:

Conclusion of answer to question 139 regarding the four levels of belief in al-Qadar.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 64.mp3

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Lesson 64 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh):

Abdul-Wahid bin Sulaim said:
“I arrived in Makkah and met Ata bin Abi Rabah. I said: ‘O Abu Muhammad! Some people with us speak about Al-Qadar.’ Ata said: ‘I met Al-Walid bin Ubadah bin As-Samit and he said: “My father narrated to me, he said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allāh saying: “Verily the first of what Allāh created was the Pen. He said to it: “Write.” So it wrote what will be forever.’”
[Jamī’ at-Tirmidhī 3319, Sahīh]

Could refer to a single pen or genus of pens. It was commanded to write despite there being no scribe. This is from the knowledge of Allāh.

– Whatever afflicts people, it is not except by Allāh’s permission, He is All-Knowledgeable over all affairs. Allāh gave humans; tongues, limbs, ability to know, think, reflect, ability to choose and He sent Books and Messengers. Thus, Allāh’s hujjah (proof) is established so we can’t use Qadar as an excuse (for sins and disobedience).

“…Work, for everyone will be facilitated for that whcih they were created, so that whoever belongs to the company of the blessed will have good works made easier for him and whoever belongs to the unfortunate ones will have evil acts made easier for him…” [Sahīh Muslim, 2647a]

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azīz Aal ash-Shaykh: of these four (levels), two of them are before the creation of the heavens and the earth:
1) ‘Ilm of Allāh.
2) Writing of all things in the Preserved Tablet.

Allāh’s prior knowledge of all things is eternal. ‘Abdullāh b. ‘Amr b. al-‘Ās reported:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Allāh ordained the decrees of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, as His Throne was upon water.” [Sahīh Muslim, 2653b]

“Do you not know that Allāh knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz). Indeed that, for Allāh, is easy.” [22:70]

3) Allāh’s will (Mashee’ah), whatever He wills, will happen, whatever He doesn’t will to happen, doesn’t happen. Good and evil is in relation to man, all of that occurs by the Will of Allāh.

“But you cannot will, unless Allāh wills. Verily, Allāh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [76:30]

Nothing happens from actions of servant except that is occurs by the will of Allāh. Allāh has willed both good and the evil. Has given permission for good to occur and evil to occur from the affairs of the creation. What about from the angle of creation or legislation? Allāh prohibited from Shirk, Kufr, disobedience, oppression, and commanded with Tawheed, eemān, obedience, justice, etc. Must distinguish between what Allāh wants to happen in His creation and what He loves, is pleased with and wants from His servants. Need to make a distinction between Irādah al-Kawniyyah (will/wish relating to creation) and Irādah ad-Deeniyyah (will/wish relating to the Deen i.e. Legislative Will).

Irādah al-Kawniyyah is the same as Mashee’ah, it is not tied to His love and pleasure whereas Irādah ad-Deeniyyah is tied to His love and pleasure, it may not happen as Allāh not willed it to happen.

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you…” [39:7]

Nothing happens except by His knowledge, will, permission and far-reaching wisdom. The praiseworthy and blameworthy things are from Irādah Kawniyyah. Praiseworthy things and good only from Irādah Deeniyyah, this is what He commanded, loves and is pleased with.

4) Allāh is the Creator of everything. Things Allāh created come under the Qadar of Allāh.

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ

“While Allah has created you and what you make!” [Muhsin Khan, 37:96]
“While Allah created you and that which you do?” [Sahīh International, 37:96]

The two ways the particle ما (mā) in this āyah can be interpreted. Refer to this page (https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/37_96) for elaboration as to the meaning and also how it is a proof against the Muʿtazilites, atheists and materialists.

Covered in this lesson:

Conclusion of answer to question 138 regarding the evidence for belief in al-Qadar in a broad general sense.

Question 139 – How many levels of belief in al-Qadar are there? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 63.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 63 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q138. – Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): al-Qadar – what does it mean? It is taqdīr (prior determination, something Allāh has already decreed):

 “Verily, all things. We created (them) with Qadar (their prior determination).” [54:49]

“We determined, and most excellent a determiner are We.” [77:23]

– al-Qadā’ linguistically means judgement, al-Hukm. The scholars say that if these two words are used separately, away from each other, they are synonymous i.e. mean the same. If used in the same sentence, then the meaning is different. al-Qadā’ wal-Qadar, if mentioned together, they separate in their meaning, if mentioned separately they unite in their meaning. If mention Qadā’ separately, it includes Qadar. If mention Qadar only, then includes Qadā’.

– Some say al-Qadā’ comes first, then al-Qadar, others say it’s the other way round:

“…He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements (or gave it its determination).” [25:2]

How come creation is mentioned first then prior determination comes next? The answer or response is from one of two ways which the Shaykh elaborates upon.

– Belief in al-Qadar is obligatory. It is one of the six pillars of eemān as mentioned in the hadīth of Jibrīl (‘alaihis-salām).

– Benefits of believing in al-Qadar:
1) from completion of eemān as eemān can’t be complete without this.
2) from perfection in belief in Allāh’s Rubūbiyyah (Lordship). Actions (such as guiding, misguiding, etc.) are from His Rubūbiyyah.
3) person returns all affairs to His Lord and submits to Him. Whenever person encounters hardship or harm, he returns back to His Lord, trusts in Him, he attributes bounties and favours bestowed upon him to Allāh.
4) person knows his own true worth, they don’t boast when they achieve anything any good. They don’t develop arrogance or pride as everything is already determined.
5) calamities and hardships in life will be easy for the servant as knows Allāh decreed them, so made light for him. Belief in al-Qadar is necessary for guidance.
6) person ascribes bounties and favours that come to them to the One who is the true and real originator of these favours and bounties.
7) person then understands the hikmah of Allāh. When we reflect in creation of Allāh, we see amazing things such as for example, a people living in security then all of a sudden they are hit by a tsunami.

– What is good (khayr) and what is evil (sharr’)? Evil in al-Qadar is that which a person is not inclined to it, is averse to it as some harm or loss will be incurred. Khayr is that which is good within his constitution and nature, there is ease, joy, relaxation and agreement with his soul. There is that which is agreeable to us and that which is disagreeable, that which gives us pleasure and that which gives us pain.

– How can we say in the Qadar of Allāh there is evil? If on the one hand evil can’t be ascribed to Allāh (due to the hadīth which mentions: “Evil cannot be ascribed to Allāh”), how then do we believe in the evil in al-Qadar? Khalq (creating) can refer to act of creation or the created thing e.g. heavens and the earth. With Qadar it is the same, there is Qadar with the act of decreeing and Qadar for the thing which is decreed (maqdūr). In Allāh’s action of decreeing there can be no evil, Allah’s action is not evil but as for the thing decreed e.g. death, illness, poverty, Kufr, Shirk, creating Iblis, devils among the Jinn, all of this, in those things is evil and harm but in Allāh’s act of creating them there is no evil, He created them for a far-reaching wisdom.

“Evil (or corruption) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).” [30:41]

– Corruption has appeared, its cause is sins and disobedience of men. The wisdom behind it: that men may return. Allāh gives them a taste of punishment so they will return to right guidance. Evil is only as a result of men and what they experience as disagreeable to their souls. If Allāh had not decreed Shirk, Kufr and disobedience, then what would be the point of the legislations and the sending of the Messengers? This would mean there is no purpose to creation.

– Qadā is of two types:
1) Kawnī (Creational ordainment): must happen. If Allāh decreed it, must happen.
2) Shar’iyy (Legislative ordainment): that which has been decreed by way of legislation. He wants Tawhīd from servants, charity, prayer, righteousness, keeping away from; Shirk, stealing and gambling, etc. This is something a person may or may not do. If what person does agrees with the legislation then Allāh is pleased with it.

Must distinguish between these two things.

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islām), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf and forbidding Al-Munkar. And it is they who are the successful.” [3:104]

Even though Allāh decreed evil, we are still commanded to prohibit it. Evil is not in the act of creation but in the thing itself.

– Q139. – Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

Four levels:
1) All-Encompassing knowledge of Allāh of everything, not even a speck or an atom escapes His knowledge in the heavens or the earth.
2) Writing in all of that, He wrote all of what He pre-decreed. Included in this is belief in Lawh al-Mahfūz and Qalam.
3) Allāh’s operative will which takes effect and His All-Encompassing power – Mashee’ah and Qudrah. What Allāh wills it will happen by or through His power, will absolutely happen. That which He did not will to happen, it is not that He didn’t have the power and ability to do it.
4) Allāh is the Creator of everything and that there is no speck or atom in the heaven or earth except Allāh is their creator. There is no other creator besides Him, no Lord other than Him. Nothing is outside of His creative power.