Belief in Divine Decree — Al-Qadr

الإيمان بالقضاء والقدر

Al-Imān bi-l-Qaḍā' wa-l-Qadr

Allah has full knowledge of all things and everything occurs by His will.

Muslims believe that Allah has full knowledge of all things past, present, and future. Everything that happens occurs by His will and according to His plan. This belief encompasses four components: (1) Al-'Ilm — God's complete knowledge of everything that was, is, and will be; (2) Al-Kitabah — everything is recorded in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz); (3) Al-Mashee'ah — nothing happens except by God's will; and (4) Al-Khalq — God is the Creator of everything, including human actions. However, belief in divine decree does NOT negate human free will. Muslims believe God gave humans the ability to choose, and it is these choices for which they will be held accountable. The relationship between divine will and human agency is one of Islam's deepest theological subjects. Belief in qadr brings peace during hardship, humility during success, and trust in God's wisdom when outcomes are not what we expected.

"Indeed, all things We created with qadr (divine decree)" — Quran 54:49

Key Quranic Verses

al-Qamar 54:49 All things created with divine decree al-Hadid 57:22 No disaster except in a register at-Taubah 9:51 Nothing will happen except what Allah has decreed al-Imran 3:145 No soul dies except by God's permission al-Furqan 25:2 He created everything and determined it precisely at-Talaq 65:3 Whoever relies on Allah — He is sufficient at-Taghabun 64:11 No disaster except by God's permission ar-Ra`d 13:8 Everything with Him is by due measure al-Kahf 18:29 Truth from your Lord — believe or disbelieve